Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America

 “No One Does More for Veterans” 

 NOTICE REGARDING SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has consolidated its overseas operations into several regional offices that provide a full range of SSA services for U.S. citizens residing outside of the United States. Effective October 1, 2017, individuals residing in Thailand who require social security services or have questions about SSA benefits must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in the U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines, rather than the U.S. Embassy, or U.S. Consulate in Thailand. 

Please be advised that as of October 1, 2017, the U.S. Embassy, and U.S. Consulate in Thailand can no longer accept telephone calls, emails, or walk-in consultations regarding Social Security issues. 

For more information or any questions about the services provided at the FBU in the U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines and how to contact them, please visit their webpage at:http://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen -services/social-security/. You can also reach them at (+ 63 2) 301-2000 ext. 9 , or FBU.manila@ssa.gov . 

Form SSA-7161-OCR-SM or Form SSA-7162-OCR-SM (Report to the United States Social Security Administration) 

The form is sent from Wilkes-Barre, PA and must be completed regularly by all beneficiaries or their representative payees. 

· Beneficiaries with addresses in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, or APO/FPO/DPO receive the form every two years. 

· Beneficiaries in countries not mentioned above, and all beneficiaries who have a representative payee, receive the form every year. 

The form is mailed beginning May 15th and a follow-up letter is mailed beginning September 15th. If the completed form is not received in Wilkes-Barre, PA by the end of the year, benefits are suspended beginning with the February payment of the following year. 

To avoid the suspension of your benefits, complete the form as soon as you receive it, and mail it back to Wilkes-Barre, PA using the enclosed business reply envelope. Do not submit the completed form to the Federal Benefits Unit in Manila or to a U.S. Embassy/Consulate. 

IMPORTANT: If you do not receive the form by November, contact us right away. 

Sincerely, 

Social Security Administration – Federal Benefits Unit 

Embassy of the United States of America | Manila, Philippines 

Tel: (+ 63 2) 301-2000 ext. 9