Social Security Benefits

The U.S. Embassy/Consulate is able to assist you in applying for and receiving your Social Security benefits while living in Brazil. Please check the Contact info & working hours page to know the location and working hours of the U.S. Citizen Services Unit responsible for your consular district if you need assistance in applying for benefits.

To apply for benefits, you will need to write to the following address:

Social Security Administration
Office of International Operations
Attn: Claims Development Branch
P.O. Box 17769
Baltimore, MD - 21235-7769
U.S.A.
www.ssa.gov

The letter must indicate an intent on the part of the writer to claim Social Security benefits on his/her own behalf or on behalf of another, and must be signed by the claimant, a spouse, a legal representative or guardian, or in the case of a child, a parent. If the applicant signs by mark or fingerprint, show his/her name on the signature line. The Consulate employee will sign as well to confirm the applicant's identity.

Certified copies of the following documents must accompany your letter:

• Your birth certificate issued before age five
• Your U.S. passport or any other photo ID
• Your marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Your divorce decree, or death certificate of spouse (if applicable)
• Your child's birth certificate if applying for child's benefits

The written statement may be completed in the claimant's native language since the Social Security Administration has a translation service. However, completion of the statement in English may result in a quicker reply.

A reply to your initial request usually takes between three to six months.