Non Emergency Services

General Information

The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) administers federal benefits programs from the following federal agencies:

• Social Security Administration
• Department of Veteran Affairs
• Office of Personnel Management
• Department of Labor
• Railroad Retirement Board

FBU Contact Information

The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) is located in the American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit at the American Embassy in Guatemala City.  Questions about Social Security and other federal benefits are answered afternoons from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Social Security checks are distributed on the 10th and 11th of every month, or the next business day, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the consular section.

Social Security Administration

The Federal Benefits Unit processes Social Security Administration claims for retirement, disability and survivor benefits, Social Security number applications, all post-entitlement activities affecting beneficiaries under the various programs, i.e., changes of address, issues involving direct deposit of SAA checks, nonreceipt of check allegations and death terminations.

If you would like information on how to apply for social security retirement benefits, or for instructions on how to replace, correct, or change your name on your Social Security Card, see the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. This site also has a downloadable application form, the (SS-5) and tells you what kind of identification you need to send along with your application form.

Social Security maintains the toll-free number that operates from 7AM to 7PM, Monday to Friday: 1-800-772-1213.  If you have a touch-tone phone, recorded information and services are available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Please have your Social Security number handy when you call the SSA office.

For those of you who are about to reach social security entitlement age (61 and 9 months), you may apply for these benefits at the Embassy or you may telephone directly to the toll-free TTY number, (800) 772-1213 at the Social Security Administration. When asked, press “0” to speak to a representative.  The process takes about 10 minutes or less to apply for your social security by telephone. You will need the following information to expedite the application:

• Names of previous marriage partners,
• Dates of marriage and divorce,
• Your mother’s maiden name,
• Military service dates if any.
• If you intend to go on direct deposit you should also have your banks routing number (the numbers on the bottom of your checks).

The Social Security employees will provide you with the date that you will receive your first payment and the amount of money you may expect.

Department of Veteran Affairs

The Federal Benefits Unit handles Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) survivor claims, educational benefits, compensation and pension examinations, etc.

The Department of Veteran Affairs website offers the Federal Benefits Manual for Veterans and Dependents (2010), details of benefits available, and downloadable benefits forms.

Office of Personnel Management

The Office of Personnel Management website offers information for federal employee benefits such as retirement programs, thrift plans, and health insurance.

Department of Labor

The Department of Labor website offers information on benefits programs such as the Family and Medical Leave Act and workers' compensation programs, (Black Lung, FECA, Longshore).

Railroad Retirement Board

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for the nation's railroad workers and their families. The RRB also administers certain Social Security benefit payments and railroad workers' Medicare coverage.