Federal Benefits, Taxes and Voting
Social Security and Federal Benefits
The Embassy in Bangkok does not directly process Social Security or Federal Benefits claims. We do help U.S. citizens or dependants access federal benefits through the regional Social Security Administration office in Manila. We do this by:
- Providing information and federal forms
- Certifying supporting documents for SSN applications and federal benefits applications.
- Contacting the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration and Office of Personnel Management in order to follow-up on claims, application status, SSN applications, report change of address, and to report non-receipt of benefits.
All original documents in Thai language must be translated by certified translators and legalized both English and Thai version at the Legalization Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The 15 Northern provinces of Thailand are served by the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai. These provinces are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaengphet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Petchabun, Phayao, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak and Uttaradit.
SSA Manila Contact information:
Social Security Administration
American Embassy
1131 Roxas Blvd.
Ermita
0930 Manila
Philippines
Tel: (632) 528-6300 Ext. 2545
Fax: (632) 522-1514
Email: SSAD.VARO.MANILA@ssa.gov
First-Time Social Security Application
At ACS we can certify photocopies of documents. Customers can then attach the certified photocopies with the application form and send to the regional Social Security Administration office in Manila by registered mail.
The following documents are required for filing a new SSN application:-
(1) If a child is under 12 years of age, customers will need to bring in a parent’s valid U.S. passport, a child’s valid U.S. passport, a child’s birth certificate (if a child was born in the U.S, the U.S. birth certificate. If a child is born in Thailand, the Thai birth certificate, English translation and both documents must be legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before bringing the documents in to ACS. Finally, you must also have the child’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued at the U.S. Embassy (if a child’s born in Thailand.). A child does not need to appear in person for this.
(2) For children over 12 years of age and adults applying for the first time, kindly bring in the above documents in item (1) together with an interview certificate form (required for anyone over the age of 12 applying for the 1st time) and a personal statement of late filing.
Direct Deposit of Federal Benefits
The Embassy highly recommends the use of direct deposit for all long-term Thailand residents that receive benefit checks. You are able to request your agency to deposit the benefits directly to your account either in a U.S. or Thailand-based bank.
Direct Deposit to a U.S.-Based Bank
The Social Security Administration requests you to submit a Direct Deposit Form (Form 1199A). The form is available at the Embassy’s American Citizen Services Unit or online at www.ssa.gov
Direct Deposit to a Thailand-Based Bank
Bangkok Bank is the only provider of Direct Deposit services for persons who receive benefits from the following agencies: Social Security Administration (SSA), Veterans Administration (VA), and Civil Service.
What do you need to do?
- Open a “Direct Deposit” Account at the Bangkok Bank branch nearest your home. The Bank will assist you in opening a Direct Deposit Account. We suggest you clearly tell the bank staff that this account is for receiving a pension from SSA, or VA.
- Sign Form 1199: Please bring 3 completed forms sf1199 to the headquarters branch of Bangkok Bank. The bank will forward your completed Direct Deposit form (Form 1199 A) to the SSA in US. You will be able to access your benefits from the Bangkok Bank branch near your house after your request has been completely processed. This often takes a few months. For more information please contact:
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited
Foreign Exchange Service Section
Retail Payment Services Department
333 Silom Road, Bkk. 10500
Tel: (02) 230-1322-3
If you are currently receiving benefits by Direct Deposit, they will continue to be deposited to your previous account until the new request has been completely processed.
If you are currently residing in Thailand, you can notify your agency of your new address through the Embassy’s American Citizen Services unit.
The American Citizen Services unit will also make a certified copy of your original passport if you bring it in. There is no fee for this service when it is being used for Social Security purposes.
Social Security Benefits for Spouses
If qualified to apply for a SSN, a spouse needs to bring the following supporting documents for ACS Bangkok or Chiang Mai to certify:-
- Valid passport (it’s best to bring in the passport in the marriage surname)
- Thai I.D. card, with English translation and both Thai and English documents legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Thai birth certificate with English translation and both Thai and English documents legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Marriage certificate with English translation and both documents legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Spouses will also need to complete an interview certificate (for anyone over 12 years old applying for a SSN for the 1st time) and sign in front of a consular officer during our window hours.
Taxes
There is no Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office at the Embassy, although an IRS representative normally visits the Embassy during the tax season in March-April each year to assist taxpayers.
Please see our Recent Public Announcements for current information regarding IRS visits.
For a list of private tax consultants and tax preparers in Bangkok, please click here.
Tax forms and publications will also be ready for pick up at ACS Bangkok from January onwards. To obtain the foreign exchange rate, please visit www.federalreserve.gov The official rate for 2006 is 37.876 Baht. There is no IRS representative in Thailand, please refer to the information file below.
Veterans Benefits (VA)
Veterans should contact VA via https://iris.va.gov
However, we can also pass on inquiries to the VA including reports of non-receipt checks and follow-up on disability claims.
JUSMAGTHAI (Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group Thailand) at 7 Sathorn Tai Road, Bangkok can also help with general VA issues. Their contact telephone number is (02) 287-1036
OPM (Office of Personnel Management)
The Embassy can help pass on queries to OPM such as report of non-receipt checks, change of address, report of death of Thai OPM beneficiaries and non-urgent queries.
Voting
The Embassy assists American Citizens wishing to vote in state, federal or local elections. We have Federal Postcard Applications for voting registration, as well as absentee ballots. During elections, we will mail both of these items to the United States for you, free of charge.
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) allows certain U.S. citizens at least eighteen years of age on election day to vote overseas:
- Members of the U.S. Uniformed Services (on active duty) and merchant marine;
- Their family members; and
- U.S. citizens residing outside the United States.
Federal Voting Assistance Program website links:
* Voting Assistance Guide online (2006-2007): http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/vag.html
* Forms:
-- FPCA (2005) online version: http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefpca.pdf
-- Return Envelope printable version: http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/returnenvelope.pdf
-- Federal Write in Ballot: http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/ofwab.pdf
NOTE: If you have put the proper postage on your envelope or the envelope reads “Postage Paid,” you may use the APO at the Embassy to get your FPCA to the United States. Please bring the envelope to American Citizen Services and the staff will drop the envelope in the APO for you.
* The ten things to help ensure your Absentee Vote is counted: http://www.fvap.gov/vao/topten.html
* VOTING BY CITIZENS WHO NEVER LIVED IN THE UNITED STATES: http://www.fvap.gov/vao/citnvrinus.html
* State Legislatures links by State: http://www.fvap.gov/links/legislativelinks.html
* Link to Websites for the Secretaries of Stat and Directors Elections: http://www.fvap.gov/links/statelinks.html
Important dates to remember:
* January 1st: Register to vote/Request Absentee ballot early (U.S. Uniformed Services recommended to register to vote EVERY YEAR and Overseas Citizens recommended to vote EVERY EVEN numbered year)
* July 2nd – 8th: Overseas Citizens Voters Week
* September 1st: Last day to Register to vote/Request for Absentee ballot (no later than 60 Days before Election)
* Sept 3rd – 9th: Armed Forces Voters Week
* Oct 8th – 14th: Absentee Voting Week
* Oct 15th: Last day to mail your Absentee Ballot during election year
