Federal Benefits

Federal Benefits encompasses programs from the following agencies:

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

A Public Affairs/Public Information (PAPI) material entitled "There's Something About Social Security Benefits" (PDF-709KB) is available. These documents require Acrobat Reader to view. The latest Acrobat software is available for a free download.

Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration (SSA) deals with 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 SSA checks, nonreceipt of check allegations and death terminations.

If you are an American citizen residing in Korea, you may apply for a social security card or replacement card at the U.S. Embassy, and we will forward your application to the Social Security Administration's regional office in Manila. Please refer to the information about the application and required documentation (PDF-200KB) for details. The Embassy does not process the applications, only forwards them to SSA, so we cannot give you a status report on your application. SSA will send you your card directly, or contact you if they have additional questions.

The U.S. Social Security Administration pays the following types of benefits;

• Retirement and disability benefits to the worker/number holder.
• Spouse’s and children’s benefits to dependents of the worker.
• Widow’s or widower’s, children’s, parent’s benefits and lump sum death payment to survivors of the worker.

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is not a Social Security claims-processing post. For social security claims and other questions, please contact:

Social Security Administration
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Ermita, 0930 Manila
Philippines

Email: FBU.Manila@ssa.gov
Phone Number: (63)(2)301-2000
Fax Number: (63)(2)708-9723/9714

To enable the Social Security Administration to determine your eligibility to any of the benefits, please complete the Social Security Claims Questionnaire (PDF-210KB). For additional information on how to apply for social security retirement benefits, see the Social Security Administration (SSA) website.

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), to be used to apply for a Social Security Card and discusses what kind of identification you need to send along with your application form.

You may also go directly to the Social Security Handbook, which gives general information about Social Security Programs. The website also has a list of all publications and a list of all downloadable forms.

The United States and Korea negotiated an agreement to help workers who have contributed to national pension programs in both countries. The US-Korea Totalization Agreement is in force effective April 1, 2001. You can find a description of the new agreement, at the website. For more information, please follow this link on the Social Security International Page.

Department of Veteran Affairs

The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) processes survivor claims, educational benefits, compensation and pension examinations, etc.

The Department of Veteran Affairs website offers the Federal Benefits Manual for Veterans and Dependants (1997), details of benefits available, and downloadable benefits forms. 


DD-214 NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE:  The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans to gain access their DD-214 online: http://vetrecs.archives.gov/.  This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of the DD-214 for employment purposes.  NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files.  Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents.  Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the online website.  Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized.  The new web-based application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records center's mailroom processing time.

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. Visit their website for more information.