General Information
Below, please find a list of some of the services we provide on behalf of the Social Security Administration. For all services, you will need to schedule an appointment. To schedule an appointment or to obtain information, the best way to contact the Federal Benefits Unit is by using our online form.
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:
- Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
- On the my Social Security page, select the “Create an Account” button and then select “Sign in with ID.me.”
- Select the “Create an ID.me account” link and follow the instructions.
- 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.
- Once you create your credential, you will be returned to the my Social Security webpage 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 account.
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 (Social Security is unable to mail to a foreign address).
- Change Special Notice Options (SNO Notices).
- Access some representative payee services.
- View, print, or save a replacement SSA-1099/1042S tax statement (Social Security is unable to mail replacement statements to a foreign address).
- 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.
Applying for Social Security Card
You may apply for an original or replacement Social Security Card at the Federal Benefits Unit.
For all services, you will need to schedule an appointment. To schedule an appointment or to obtain information, the best way to contact the Federal Benefits Unit is by using our online form.
Who is eligible for a Social Security Card?
U.S. Citizens and Non-Citizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security can apply for a Social Security number.
What documents will you need at the time of application?
Read more about non-Citizen requirements (PDF 128 KB)
U.S. Citizen Children Born in Argentina
Children born in Argentina and documented as U.S. Citizens through the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (“CRBA”) process must apply for a Social Security Card. They may apply for the card after completing the CRBA process and obtaining a U.S. passport. At the time of application, you will need the CRBA, U.S. Passport, and Argentine Birth certificate for the child, as well as valid identification for the parent (U.S. passport) or other SSA-approved identity document.
For more information about requirements, please use our online form.
Enrollment in the Direct Deposit Program
Social Security Beneficiaries overseas have three options for receiving their benefits via direct deposit:
- Direct Deposit to a U.S. Bank Account: You will need to supply the U.S. account information to the Federal Benefits Unit. The best way to provide your U.S. Bank information to the Federal Benefits Unit is by using our online form.
- Direct Deposit to an Argentine Bank Account: You will need to obtain a SSA-1199 from the Federal Benefits Unit. You can request this form by using our online form.
- Banco Macro: Social Security and Banco Macro have an agreement to open accounts to beneficiaries that collect SSA benefits. You would need to go to the closest branch and they will give you more information about it. Once the account is open, the bank will send the information directly to us.
Change of Address
If you receive Social Security Benefits and moved from the United State, or any other country, to Argentina you must report your new mailing address to the Federal Benefits Unit to maintain your record updated and avoid disruption of benefit payments.
Please note that the mailing address you provide should be a foreign address.
If you are not a US citizen, you need to fill out a form SSA-21 (Supplement to Claim of Person outside the United States). You can download the form here (PDF 756KB) and send it to FBU.Argentina@ssa.gov, and we will let you know if you need to furnish any additional documentation.
If you are an American Citizen, please report your change of address through our online form.
Request a Proof of Income or Benefits Verification Letter
If you need proof that you are receiving Social Security benefits, you can request a benefit verification letter by using our online form.
Applying for Social Security Benefits
Social Security benefits include, among others, Retirement, Medicare, Survivors and Auxiliary benefits.
For an overview of general information about benefits, please visit the following link.
Outside the US, SSA benefits are based on earnings only.
If you want to apply online, you can use the following link: Apply for Social Security Benefits | SSA
If these options are not convenient for you, please request an appointment with an SSA representative via e-mail to FBU.Argentina@ssa.gov
Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (Feq) – SSA-7161 and SSA-7162
In addition to relying on beneficiaries (a retired person or family member) to report events that may affect their benefits, SSA contacts beneficiaries outside the United States annually or biennially (every two years) to verify their current status if they have a foreign address on record.
SSA contacts beneficiaries by sending the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (SSA-7161/SSA-7162) that should be returned within 60 days. If it is not send back, benefits are suspended.
We can help you get your benefits reinstated when this happens and the quickest way to do that is by following these steps:
Send us an email to FBU.Argentina@ssa.gov using as subject: FEQ-country where you live-last name of the worker’s record under which you receive benefits (sample: FEQ-Argentina-Doe) and add the following information:
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- Complete name of the beneficiary that did not receive the monthly payment.
- Last 4 digits of the SSN under which benefits are paid
- Two phone numbers
- Address
- Reason for the email: Non receipt of monthly benefit
Wait for a response within 5 business days. If the reason for suspension of payment is the non-return of the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire, The Federal Benefits Unit will send you by email a blank form for your completion and signature. You will have to send the form back by postal mail. We will send instructions in our response.
After submitting the form with the correspondent ID, we will reinstate the benefits within the next 10 business days.
Full Calendar Month Reports
Once you have completed your full calendar month visit, you must furnish the following documents to the Federal Benefits Unit:
- Passport with date stamp entry into the United States.
- Boarding passes for each of your trip dates.
- Hotel receipts or statements of individuals specifying the dates the person provided the beneficiary with lodging. The person signing the letter must provide their address, telephone number and date the letter.
The statement does not need to be notarized.
We will ask you to complete and sign a statement that includes:
- the dates you entered and left the U.S.
- the address at which you stayed; and
- a statement that you did not go outside the U.S. at any time during the month you were present in the U.S
You can send these documents to our e-mail FBU.Argentina@ssa.gov
Report the Death Of A Beneficiary
The Federal Benefits Unit should be notified as soon as possible when a person dies. You can report the death of a beneficiary by using our online form.
How Do I Earn Social Security Credits and How Many do I Need to Qualify for Benefits?
We use your total yearly earnings to figure your Social Security credits. The amount needed to earn one credit automatically increases each year when average wages increase.
You must earn a certain number of credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you apply and the type of benefit application. No one needs more than 40 credits for any Social Security benefit. During your lifetime, you probably will earn more credits than the minimum number you need to be eligible for benefits. These extra credits do not increase your benefit amount. Your average earnings over your working years determine how much your monthly payment will be.
If you are self-employed, you earn Social Security credits the same way employees do (one credit for each $1,360 in net earnings, but no more than four credits per year). Special rules apply if you have net annual earnings of less than $400. For more information, you can read the ”How you earn credits” (PDF 302KB).
U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad may need to file and pay taxes to earn Social Security Credits from their work. If you are not a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien, then you do not qualify to pay Social Security credits while living abroad. To check the filing requirement to earn Social Security credits as a U.S. Citizens or U.S. Resident Alien abroad please visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) webpage to complete the proper IRS Tax Form depending on your situation.
Further Inquiries or concerns regarding U.S. Taxes should be directed to the IRS or a private U.S. tax preparation agent.
How Do I Pay Social Security Credits If I Am Living Overseas?
U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad may need to file and pay taxes to earn Social Security Credits from their work. If you are not a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien then you do not qualify to pay Social Security credits while living abroad. To check the filing requirement to earn Social Security credits as a .S. Citizens or US Resident Alien abroad please visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) webpage to complete the proper IRS Tax Form depending on your situation.
Important information on where, when and how to file if you are living abroad may be found at the IRS web page.
For detailed information on Foreign Electronic Payments to the IRS.
Further Inquiries or concerns regarding U.S. Taxes should be directed to the IRS or a private U.S. tax preparation agent.