Last updated September 8, 2022
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.
