American Citizen Bulletin for December 2011

[Kyle]

American Citizen Bulletin

Message for U.S. Citizens

December 2011

 

 

Embassy Closings:

The U.S. Embassy will be officially closed on the following dates:

 

* Monday, December 26

 

- Christmas observed

 

* Monday, January 2

 

- New Year's observed

 

* Monday, January 16

 

- Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

 

* Mon-Wed, January 23 - 25

 

- Chinese (Lunar) New Year

 

 

 

Special Notice to Overseas Voters to Act Now:

 

You must send in a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to your local

election officials every year - even if you've previously voted overseas

- and every time you change your name, physical address, or email

address. Use the FPCA to request an absentee ballot, and to register to

vote if you're not currently registered. The easiest way to fill out

this form is to use the online tool available at www.fvap.gov - this

walks you through the process based on your state's specific voting

rules. Make filling out the FVAP every January 1st your new New Year's

resolution!

 

 

The fastest way to get your absentee ballot is to request an electronic

ballot. Depending on the specific rules of your home state, delivery

may be made by fax, email, or online download. The online tool at

www.fvap.govwill tell you which method(s) your state permits. We

encourage you to use the Federal Voting Assistance Program website,

www.fvap.gov, and request voting materials via internet/e-mail.

 

Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase:

Monthly Social Security benefits for more than 60 million Americans will

increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration

announced. The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin

for the nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2012.

To read more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.

 

If you currently receive a Social Security check mailed from the Embassy

each month, please consider opening a U.S. bank account so your payment

can be directly deposited - it is safer and faster than waiting for a

check to be mailed to you.

 

 

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