Social Security
The Embassy's American Citizen Services Unit distributes Social Security and other federal benefit checks to eligible recipients living in the New Delhi Consular District. (The U.S. Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai distribute checks for beneficiaries living in their respective consular districts. We usually receive the checks from the Department of Treasury between the 10th and 15th of each month. Although Social Security checks are typically distributed to beneficiaries by mail, you can request to pick up your check by hand.
If you have not received or have lost a Social Security check, please inform the American Citizen Services Unit of the Consular Section. We will work with the social security office in Manila to track down the check. E-mail us at acsnd@state.gov or call 2419-8000. (When dialing from the U.S., begin by dialing 011-91-11-.)
The Embassy does not process claims for Social Security, but can assist you with forms and other information. Your best source of information on all Federal Benefits overseas can be found here. You may also wish to visit the Social Security Administration's website at http://www.ssa.gov/. The nearest Social Security Administration office, serving East and South Asia (including India) is located at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines. You can contact them directly as follows:
Social Security Administration
U.S. Office Building
1131 Roxas Boulevard
0930 Manila
Philippines
Tel. +00-632-301-2000 extn: 5 then extn: 2
Fax +00-632-522-1514
E-mail: fbu.manila@ssa.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to apply for a Social Security number for my child who is a U.S. citizen. What documents are required, and what do I need to do?Please contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate for assistance on how to apply. We will need you and your child's passports and the child's birth certificate (if born in the U.S.) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (if born outside the U.S.) – originals only, no photocopies please. If your child is over 12 years old, he/she must apply in person. If your child was born in the U.S. and moved overseas when he/she was an infant, you will also need to supply documentary evidence demonstrating that he/she has been living overseas since infancy. Typical evidence includes school records, old passports, etc.
I applied for a Social Security number six months ago but have not yet received it. Can you please update me on the status? Social Security information is never released via phone. In order to determine the current status, please contact the Embassy. We will research your request and then contact you by phone, asking you to come down to your nearest Embassy/Consulate before releasing this information.
I’ve received my child’s CRBA and passport but have not yet received his/her Social Security card. What should I do? A new Social Security card may take up to six weeks to arrive. The regional Social Security Office is in Manila, the Philippines and can be reached by email at fbu.manila@ssa.gov.
I have lost or misplaced my Social Security Card; do I need to replace the card? A Social Security Card itself is not needed. Knowing your number is what is important. All employers, financial institutions, educational institutions, the Internal Revenue Service, etc., always verify the Social Security Number with the Social Security Administration, regardless of whether or not a Social Security Card is presented. In part the reason for this is the possibility of altered or fraudulent Social Security Cards being presented.
I worked in the United States for more than 10 years, and I believe I am eligible for social security benefits. When and where can I apply for these benefits? If I am currently working, can I receive benefits? Social Security eligibility is dependent upon Social Security "quarters of coverage" in the U.S. and the age of the applicant. (For information on eligibility, please visit the SSA website.) Generally speaking, if you earned more than 40 credits, which is roughly equivalent to 10 years of work, you are eligible for benefits. Individuals are eligible for retirement benefits as early as age 62 (reduced benefit). Full benefits accrue upon reaching the "full retirement age." (For information on how to determine your "full retirement age," please view this page.
If you fall below the full retirement age and are currently working, it is advisable not to apply for benefits at this time, because your benefits will not only be permanently reduced but will also remain suspended. It is more advantageous to apply at full retirement age or when you stop working.
My spouse recently passed away, and I know s/he paid SSA taxes for several years. Can I apply for widow's benefits? Before age 60, you can apply for a lump-sum death benefit of up to $255. The application for lump-sum death benefits must be received within 2 years from the date of your spouse's death. The age of eligibility for widow's benefits is 60. Please contact the Social Security Administration office in Manila for further details on how to apply.
I am divorced. Am I entitled to my former spouse's social security benefits? If you were married for more than 10 years, you are eligible to receive divorced spouse benefits. Please contact the Social Security Administration office in Manila for further details on how to apply.
I received various forms from the Social Security Administration, but do not know how to fill them out. What should I do? The Embassy does not process claims for Social Security, but can assist you with forms and other information. Please contact the Embassy for assistance.
What is a "Claim Number," and how is it different from my Social Security Number? The "Claim Number" is a number assigned to social security beneficiaries and their families. For the worker, the Social Security Number and Claim Number are the same. Family members claim benefits under the primary beneficiary's Claim Number, but still have their own individual social security number.
My benefits check has not arrived. What should I do? Social Security payments are usually dated on the third day of the month following the month for which the payment is due. For example, your June monthly benefit payment would be dated July 3. For direct deposit customers experiencing non-receipt, please contact the SSA Office in Manila.
For customers receiving paper checks, if you don't receive your payment on time, please wait until the beginning of the next month, and if it still hasn't arrived, you can contact the Embassy or your closest Consulate.
My spouse, who had been receiving SSA benefits, recently passed away and I found some checks issued to him/her. Can I, as the wife/husband, cash them? No, you cannot. Please contact the Embassy for further instructions and assistance.
I received a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) stating that I have "... an incorrect address," however this letter was sent to my correct address. What does this mean? Many of our customers have received letters from SSA indicating there is incorrect information regarding their address, when in reality there is a problem with their Direct Deposit. Most often, there is either a mistake in the spelling of the account name or an input error of the account number. The nearest Social Security Administration office, serving East and South Asia (including India) is located at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines. You can contact them by email at fbu.manila@ssa.gov.
I am ready to retire. Can I arrange to have my Social Security and/or Veteran’s benefit check mailed to me in India? Direct deposit into a U.S. bank is preferable. You can find more information at: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html#a0=8.
Questions?
Email: acsnd@state.gov