Last updated September 13, 2023 

All American Citizen Services are by appointment only; it is free to make an appointment. No walk-ins are permitted

The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem’s Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) assists all residents of Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza in obtaining information about agencies that administer federal benefits, including Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Office of Personnel Management, Railroad, and Department of Labor.  Review our Frequently Asked Questions and complete the Online Inquiry Form.  The Branch Office in Tel Aviv does NOT have a Federal Benefits Unit and cannot answer questions regarding Social Security or other federal benefits issues.

FBU Claims representatives from offices in Athens, Greece, as well as Naples and Rome, Italy, may contact applicants to assist with applications and inquiries.  If you are not certain the person contacting you is a Social Security representative, please email us their name and/or contact information for verification, using the FBU inquiry link below.  The most efficient method of reaching the FBU Jerusalem is by using the Online Inquiry Form.  Please visit www.ssa.gov for more Social Security information.

Have a Question?  Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.  At the US Embassy Israel Please read the FAQs page, as most answers are available online.  If you are unable to find an answer, submit your inquiry via the Online Inquiry Form

 

Applicants under age 12 applying for your initial Social Security card, replacement card, change of name on your Social Security Card, and applicants applying for SSA and VA retirement and disability benefits must apply by mail or by dropbox.  The time from when we receive your application by mail to return delivery is generally seven to ten weeks.

If you wish to contact the FBU Jerusalem for any other reason in person, you must complete the Online Inquiry Form and our staff will contact you. 

First-Time Social Security Cards or Applicants Aged 12 and Over

For individuals 12 years of age and older applying for an original number, an in-person interview is required and applicants must submit additional documentation in order to verify residence outside of the United States from the date when the applicant departed the United States.  Such documentation includes school transcripts, school records, driver’s licenses, employment records, marriage certificates, etc.  If the U.S. citizen was born abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s) and never lived in the United States, SSA may require additional documentation.  Please refer to https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm for information about the documentation required. 

Social Security Card Replacement or Correction

In order to obtain a replacement social security card or change your name on your social security number, you must first complete the social security number application form, SS-5 FS.  All applications for SSNs, whether original, replacement, or for a name or data change, use the same form, SS-5 FS.  Page 2 of Form SS-5 FS provides the required evidence requirements for an original number, replacement social security card, change of name or data change.  Please also refer to https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm for information about the required documentation. 

Other Federal Benefits Services

If you wish to report a change in your address, add/change direct deposit, report a death or any other changes, or to file a claim for benefits, you can submit these requests through our Online Contact Form.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:  You can now create a my Social Security account if you live outside of the United States.

Social Security Online Services

Until now, you needed a U.S. mailing address to access Social Security’s free my Social Security account and use their online services. Now, many people without a U.S. mailing address can create a personal my Social Security account and use the online services with an ID.me credential.

• If you don’t already have an ID.me credential:

1. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount
2. On themy Social Security page, select the “Create an Account” button and then select “Sign in with ID.me”
3. Select the “Create an ID.me account” link and follow the instructions
4. On ID.me’s “Verify Your Identity” screen, select the “I don’t live in the United States” link at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions to complete the registration process
5. Once you create your credential, you will be returned to the my Social Securitywebpage for next steps

• If you already have an ID.me credential, select “Sign In” from the my Social Security page and then sign in to ID.me. You will be redirected to your my Social Security

Note: if you had a my Social Security account prior to moving overseas, you will need to create an ID.me credential to use it from an international address.

Once you have created your personal my Social Security account, you will be able to:

• Check your earnings.
• Get your benefit estimates.
• Check the status of your application or appeal.
• View, print, or save a benefit verification letter.
• Change Special Notice Options (SNO Notices).
• Access some representative payee services.
• View, print, or save a replacement SSA-1099/1042S tax statement.
• Access online notices.
• Request a replacement Medicare Card.

Some services are not available outside of the United States:

• Changing your address.
• Changing your direct deposit.
• Requesting a replacement Social Security card.