Don't know if this was posted previously, but...
For members who receive US Social Security benefits while residing outside the U.;S., our benevolent government innovated a "Report to United States Social Security Administration," more accurately dubbed the "Proof of Life Form," SSA Form 7162.
The form queries if you are dead. Just kidding. It asks if you've changed, citizenship, got married/divorces or any such, plus questions about income.
If you use a US address of a friend or relative while residing abroad, that don't work (bad boobie). You must have a local address.
Once the form has been received by you, you've got 60 days to get it back to SSA or risk stoppage of benefits. There goes my arepa money! (Starting them again is another bureaucratic hassle, although you do not lose any money during the process.)
Ostensibly, the forms are sent to your foreign address every two years.
There are many options to submit the form. The mailing you get only includes a return-addressed envelope (unstamped). Those lucky people in Bogotá can send it or take it in to the US Embassy, Federal Benefits Unit, who will forward it to SSA. Others can mail it to the FBU for forwarding. Again, leave enough time for this processing to avoid benefit stoppage.
Using a free (or charge) fax service, you can actually fax the signed and witnessed form to the International Desk of SSA. SSA actually hates this convenience extended to citizens, but had no choice since the Embassy sets the rules.
For more info, let me know, or forgive this rant if redundant.
Con abrazos a vuestra salud,
Priscilla
For members who receive US Social Security benefits while residing outside the U.;S., our benevolent government innovated a "Report to United States Social Security Administration," more accurately dubbed the "Proof of Life Form," SSA Form 7162.
The form queries if you are dead. Just kidding. It asks if you've changed, citizenship, got married/divorces or any such, plus questions about income.
If you use a US address of a friend or relative while residing abroad, that don't work (bad boobie). You must have a local address.
Once the form has been received by you, you've got 60 days to get it back to SSA or risk stoppage of benefits. There goes my arepa money! (Starting them again is another bureaucratic hassle, although you do not lose any money during the process.)
Ostensibly, the forms are sent to your foreign address every two years.
There are many options to submit the form. The mailing you get only includes a return-addressed envelope (unstamped). Those lucky people in Bogotá can send it or take it in to the US Embassy, Federal Benefits Unit, who will forward it to SSA. Others can mail it to the FBU for forwarding. Again, leave enough time for this processing to avoid benefit stoppage.
Using a free (or charge) fax service, you can actually fax the signed and witnessed form to the International Desk of SSA. SSA actually hates this convenience extended to citizens, but had no choice since the Embassy sets the rules.
For more info, let me know, or forgive this rant if redundant.
Con abrazos a vuestra salud,
Priscilla
