Several DASA members have experienced problems with Social Security in recent years. One aspect of this is that they still send and expect us to return documents via international mail! As we don’t generally use the postal service in South Africa, important documents either don’t arrive or aren’t received when returned to the US.
We are increasingly going to need to rely on each other to find solutions to problems with Social Security and other issues. Susan M. Cashin is keeping an eye on Social Security issues for us and has shared the following. Please note this is not an official guidance, but members helping members to come up with solutions or workarounds.
Have a solution related to a common Social Security question/problem? Let Susan know [email protected]
Please note that Democrats Abroad does not provide legal advice or direct assistance. This information is only an outline of the process and authorities you must follow and contact.
Securing Social Security Benefit Payments from Suspension
By Susan M. Cashin
If you are receiving Social Security Benefit Payments and living overseas, nothing can be more concerning or disrupting than having your payments suspended.
Having personally experienced this issue, along with others, we’re all looking for solutions. This article outlines a common reason suspension occurs, how to avoid it from happening and what to do if it does.
Why a suspension may occur.
Beneficiaries residing outside the U.S. must submit the Report Form SSA 7161 or 7162 (often referred to as the “proof of life forms”. The instructions refer to returning it within 60 days from the day you receive it. Depending on different filing criteria it is sent annually or biannually and generally goes out between May and June.
Mark your calendars now – if you don’t receive the form by mail by about July 4th, you might want to download the form and send it back proactively. (links below)
If they don’t receive your form within the 60-day deadline, a follow up notice is mailed out later in the year (Sept-Oct). If they don’t receive it then, your benefits may be suspended from February.
If your Social Security benefit is not in your bank account in early February, you will need to act quickly. See a few suggestions below.
TIP: Put it on your radar to follow up on if you don’t receive it by July. And another reminder for October if you didn’t act sooner and still haven’t received or returned it!
DASA Members’ Experiences restoring their payments.
Due to the Social Security Administration’s reliance on postal mail, receiving and returning the forms in South Africa is a challenge several of us have experienced. We didn’t receive the notices and only realized a problem when payments stopped.
The Social Security Administration website says we should contact the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in London which oversees Social Security issues for South Africa.
In my personal experience, it was only after many emails to the FBU in London along with finally being able to talk with someone there (it is not easy to get through) that we were able to get our benefits restored. The entire ordeal lasted over a month.
Since then, it has become more difficult to reach anyone via telephone at the FBU in London. Calls placed to the listed number at the proscribed times often go unanswered. Emails that are required to be answered within 10 working days have taken more than a month to receive any response.
Recently a DASA member experienced a suspension and was able to resolve the problem and received restoration of benefits within 2 days. She and her daughter, who is living in the States, have generously provided how they accomplished this feat.
Upon learning that her benefits had been suspended, she sent an email to FBU in London documenting her problem. Knowing that the London FBU response times are slow and none of us have time or money to spend waiting on hold for international calls, her daughter phoned the 800 number of the central office in Wilkes-Barre, PA and asked for assistance. They agreed on a time and the contact at the Wilkes-Barre offices phoned back.
She explained that her mother is a U.S. citizen living in S. Africa whose benefits had been suspended. A 3-way call (you could do this using 2 phones on speakerphone or using a computer) was created between parties and an interview with the SSA representative, and the Social Security beneficiary was able to re-establish her benefits quickly, receiving her payment within 2 days.
TIP - In case of a suspension, calling the SSA in Wilkes-Barre appears to be the most direct and efficient means to lift a suspension of payments.
Here is the number to call - +1 (800) 772-1213
Because this is an 800 number, best to have someone call from the US or call when you’re visiting.
How to avoid suspension of payments in the first place.
1. Pay attention to your mail coming thru the South African Postal Service especially between the months of July – October. If you have not received any form by October, the best advice would be to download the appropriate form from the website. NOTE: Form SSA -7162 is the general form for beneficiaries. Form SSA-7161 is the form to be used by those managing benefit payments for children or adults unable to handle funds. Fill out the form and return it immediately. You can take a chance in July and send it through international mail, but you may want to send it by courier to be on the safe side.
2. If you did not receive the first mailing and the second mailing has arrived too late to meet the deadline via the South African Postal Service, sending the filled-out form via DHL is the best option. Expensive, but the most dependable. Consider that the documents may take a week or more to be received. You will need the physical address plus a phone number listed below to use this option.
Social Security Administration
Wilkes Barre Direct Operations Center (WBDOC)
Attention FEQ Analyst – Courier Service
1150 E Mountain Dr. Room 341
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702-7997
1-800-772-1213
Using Postal Mail
If you receive your first notification and form and decide to use the South African Postal Service and onward thru the United States Postal Service to return your forms here are the mailing addresses. You should receive an envelope with your forms that has the appropriate addresses. Remember that if you receive a second notice it may not arrive with enough time to ensure meeting the deadline receipt date by postal mail.
We are not aware of any easy way to confirm that they have received and accepted your form, though with a courier you should be able to track it.
SSA 7161:
Social Security Administration
Wilkes Barre Direct Operations Center
P.O. Box 7161
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18767-7161
SSA 7162:
Social Security Administration
Wilkes Barre Direct Operations Center
P.O. Box 7162
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18767-7162
Member Suggestion: You could also consider sending the completed form/envelope with a trusted friend or family member traveling to the States who can put it in the mail or send it by courier to a friend/family member in the States who can put it in the mail for you.
The forms can be downloaded here:
Form SSA 7162 https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7162ocrsm.pdf
Instructions for SSA 7162 https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7162inst.pdf
Form SSA 7161 https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7161ocrsm.pdf
Instructions for SSA 7162 https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7161inst.pdf
Additional information on mail delivery issues can be found on the Social Security Administration website here: Service Around the World - Office of Earnings & International Operations
Federal Benefits Unit in charge of South Africa
Federal Benefits Unit
United States Embassy
33 Nine Elms Lane
London
SW11 7US
Phone: 44-207-499-9000 (10:00-1:00)
Fax 44-207-891-3631
Email: [email protected]
Finally, here is a quick overview.
To maintain US Social Security payments, beneficiaries primarily file annual reports (SSA-7161/7162) if living abroad, or Representative Payee Reports (Form SSA-454-BK or online) for beneficiaries with payees. Students aged 18-19 must submit Form SSA-1372 for school attendance, while disability recipients may need to complete medical reviews.
Key Forms to Continue Payments:
- Annual Report (SSA-7162/SSA-7161): Beneficiaries living outside the U.S. must submit this report every year or every other year (usually mailed in June) to confirm eligibility and address.
- Representative Payee Report (SSA-623/6230/6234): Representative payees must file this report annually (online at SSA Rep Payee) to show how they used the beneficiary's funds.
- Student Reporting Form (SSA-1372): Children receiving benefits who are 18-19 years old and still in high school must submit this to continue payments.
- Continuing Disability Review Report (SSA-454-BK): Used for periodic medical reviews to determine if disability benefits continue.
- Questionnaire About Living Arrangements (SSA-8202-BK-1): Used to update the SSA on address changes or people moving in/out of the household.
Tips for Maintaining Benefits:
- Set a reminder in your calendar to keep your eye out for the form in July
- Direct Deposit: Keep payments steady by using direct deposit, which can be set up through Go Direct or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Some members have had challenges with receiving payments to South African bank accounts. US bank accounts may be easiest.
- Keep Info Current: Immediately report any changes in address, income, or household composition to the Social Security Administration.
- Respond to Notices: The SSA sends follow-up notices in October if annual reports are missing; failure to respond can cause suspension.