I just checked your profile and all what I can see is just bounty proof of authentication, am sure nobody will give you merit so is better you try to work on your account, am sure nobody will merit proof of authentication, so try and make meaningful contribution to the forum, you don't have to apply here but you will receive merit, but nobody will merit proof of authentication.
This thread have indeed helped many of us to rank up, I don't know if Ratimov has stopped giving people merit to rank up directly, but some other merit sources kept an eye on this thread and they have been helping people with merits to rank up. Because there have been new applications from those who want to rank up and their getting helped with merits to rank up, I can say the thread is very active.
Seriously this thread really helped lot's of people, I was having 15 more merits to rank up to full member and I applied here and I was given immediately by Ratimov, I was having few merits to rank up to Senior Member and The Pharmacist ranked me up to Senior Member, thanks to all merit source that are trying to help low rank members grow, merit given to me by Ratimov and The Pharmacist serve as encouragement to me.