Federal Benefits
Federal Benefits and Social Security
The Federal Benefits Unit offers assistance and advice regarding U.S. Social Security, Veterans and other U.S. Federal benefits programs.
You may apply at this office for different types of Social Security Benefits: retirement, spouse’s, survivors and disability benefits, or any combination of those benefits. We will let you know which benefits you are entitled to after we determine your eligibility for them.
You may also report your change of address, death of a beneficiary, a lost or stolen check and request direct deposit of you benefits into a U.S. bank account.
Note, however, that in order to qualify for a Social Security disability or retirement benefit, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes and earned enough Social Security credits.
If you have never worked or have worked very little, you may not qualify for benefits.
Before coming to the Federal Benefits Unit, please contact us by phone or via email since most issues might be resolved without you having to visit the Federal Benefits Unit.
Some other cases may require your presence in the Embassy, such as the filing for certain type of claims for benefits, applications for a Social Security Number Card, etc.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
To apply for a Social Security Number Card you may come to the U.S. Embassy 's Consular Section, window # 16 ( Federal Benefits Unit) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Wednesday the Office is closed.
You will need to submit:
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Complete application for a Social Security card (available at the Embassy)
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Proof of Age: A certified true copy (executed by the custodian of records) of your Birth certificate or Baptismal Record
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Poof of identity: A valid US passport
Applicants age 12 or older must apply in person
NOTE: Applicants age 12 and older will also need to submit a letter stating the reasons why he/she has never obtained a Social Security Number & school records, employment records, and travel documents (e.g. passports) to prove that he/she has never been living outside the U.S. continuously from one point in time to the present. Parents applying on behalf of a child under 12, may sign the application on his/her behalf: Applications must always be signed by the applicant if he/she is capable of signing, regardless of his/her age.
There is no cost for the issuance of a Social Security card.
For further information on our services, please contact us via e-mail or, by calling the Federal Benefits Unit at 54-11-5777-4510, 54-11-5777-4514, 54-11-5777-4371 or 54-11-5777-4763, from 1:30pm to 5:00pm. Exept Wednesdays.