Federal Benefit Services (FBU)

The U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile does not have a Federal Benefits Unit.  The nearest Federal Benefits Unit is in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  However, the American Citizen Services Section is ready to assist you with federal benefits services, such as liaising with the Social Security Administration's regional and domestic offices regarding specific benefits claims. 

Appointments Required: Beginning September 20, 2012, assistance with Federal Benefits will be handled by appointment only.  Please make an appointment online under “Notary/Authentication/Other Services”. See our Appointment's website. 

Apply online:  Many federal agencies now allow you to download forms or complete applications online. Please see their websites for more details:

• Social Security Administration,
• Social Security On Line Services,
• Veterans Administration,
• Office of Personnel Management and
• Railroad Retirement. 

Please also see information on receiving Social Security benefits while outside of the United States and information on electronic signatures for disability benefits.

Direct Deposit:  Receive your Social Security payments more quickly and easily by enrolling in direct deposit.  Details available online.

Questions: You may contact us by email at SantiagoAmCit@state.gov or by phone at 56-2-2330-3000 or 56-2-2330-3021 with any inquiries related to Federal Benefits. 

If you already have a case in progress, we encourage you to contact the Regional Federal Benefits office in Buenos Aires, as they handle claims processing for residents of Chile.

 Federal Benefits/Social Security

• U.S. Embassy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• E-mail:  fbu.argentina@ssa.gov
• Phone: 54-11-5777-4510; 54-11-5777-4371; or 54-11-5777-4763
• Hours: 1:30pm to 5:00pm (Every day except on the first and last Wednesday of the month)
• Webpage: (http://argentina.usembassy.gov/service/federal-benefits.html)

Receiving your social security checks:

It usually takes longer to deliver checks outside the United States. Delivery time varies from country to country and your check may not arrive the same day each month. If you do not receive your check after a reasonable waiting period, or if it is lost or stolen, contact the American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy at SantiagoAmCit@state.gov or write directly to the Social Security Administration:

Social Security Administration 
P.O. Box 17769
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769
USA

Social Security will replace your check as soon as possible. But please make every effort to keep your check safe, because it will take some time to replace a check while you are outside of the U.S.

Notary Services:

The American Citizen Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile, can provide certified copies and notary services free of charge for most federal benefits applications.  Please see Notary/Authentication Services for information and appointments.