Services for Americans

Federal Benefits

Social Security Cards

If you are applying for a social security number for the first time and you are above 12 years of age you have to be interviewed by a Consular Officer.  You are also required to submit proof of your stay outside the U.S. (Examples include school leaving certificates from the country of residence clearly stating the years that you were enrolled at the school; registration with the FRRO and proof of your first entry into the country of residence, etc.).  Please see Social Security Administration (SSA) website for more information.

Benefits Claims

The Consulate distributes Social Security and other Federal Benefit checks to eligible recipients living in India. We usually receive the checks from the Department of Treasury between the 10th and 15th of each month. Although Social Security checks are typically distributed to beneficiaries by mail, you can request to pick up your check by hand.  You may also request to have the check deposited directly into your bank account. See the SSA website for details.

If you have not received or lost a Social Security check, please inform the American Citizen Services Unit of the Consular Section. We will work with the Department of Treasury to track down the check. You may reach us by email (MumbaiACS@state.gov), phone (2363-3611) or fax (2367-7026). When dialing from the U.S. remember first to dial 011-91-22.

The Consulate does not process claims for Social Security, but can assist you with forms and other information. Additional information on all Federal Benefits overseas is available on the Department of State's website. If you are residing in the Mumbai Consular District and would like to claim your Social Security benefits, please fill out the questionnaire (download form SSA-21) and come to the American Citizen Services Unit any workday Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. with your passport and your birth certificate and also copies of the same. We will notarize them and send it along with the questionnaire to the Social Security Office in Manila. You will then receive another set of forms from them to process your claim. Please note that it takes nearly 3 months to process your social security benefit claim.

Regarding your pending claims or non-receipt of your social security card, you may also write to the Social Security Administration directly at the following address:

Social Security Administration
US Embassy
1131 Roxas Blvd
Manila 0930
PHILLIPPINES
Tel: (63-2) 526-5936 and (63-2) 522-4716 or (63-2) 528-6300
Fax: (63-2) 522-1514
Email: SSAD.VARO.Manila@ssa.gov
(Effective May 1, 2009, the email address for SSA Manila will be FBU.Manila@ssa.gov)
Website: www.socialsecurity.gov

10 Common Questions About Social Security

SSA changes for 2009 - click following:

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/colafacts2009.htm

http://questions.medicare.gov/cgi-bin/medicare.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2100

https://questions.medicare.gov/cgi-bin/medicare.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2099&p_sid=SS6nBZkj&p_lva=2100

NOTE: The SSA is not an authority on tax matters. For additional information about the taxation of Social Security benefits, see the IRS website.