How do i schedule an appointment with social security

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.

The “My Social Security” internet service is not available to individuals with overseas mailing addresses.

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 (en forma literal) for the child, as well as valid identification for the parent (U.S. passport).

Non-Resident Aliens / Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Several classes of non-resident aliens are required to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in order to file U.S. taxes. To obtain an ITIN, you must file IRS Form W-7 with the Internal Revenue Service. You may obtain a W-7 form from the Consular Section’s U.S. Citizens Services (ACS) Unit, by appointment only, or via the Internet (PDF 87 KB)

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 must make an appointment with the Federal Benefits Unit to request this form. To schedule an appointment or to obtain information, the best way to contact the Federal Benefits Unit is by using our online form.
• Direct Express

Changes of Address and Disenrollment From Medicare Parts A and B

If you receive Social Security Benefits and moved from the United State, or any other country, to Argentina you should report your new mailing address to the Federal Benefits Unit.

Please note that the mailing address you provide should be a foreign address. You should not provide the Social Security Administration with the Miami address provided to you by your private mail courier, since this could cause temporary suspension of your benefits when the SSA learns that you are living outside of the United States.

To update your address, you need to fill out a form SSA-21(Supplement to Claim of Person outside the United States). You can download the form at: SSA-21 form (PDF 756 KB)

Note: Question #9 on the form SSA-21 captures if you want to request Medicare disenrollment.

At the time of your appointment, please bring this form together with your passport and your naturalization certificate, if you are a naturalized citizen.

You must make an appointment with the Federal Benefits Unit to submit your completed form and identity document. To schedule an appointment or to obtain information, the best way to contact the Federal Benefits Unit is by using 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 visiting the FBU, by appointment only. This letter is sometimes called a “budget letter,” a “benefits letter,” a “proof of income letter,” or a “proof of award letter. 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 Earnings Statements

The Social Security Administration has suspended the field office issuance of Social Security Earnings Statements. However, an individual can download and complete the Form SSA-7004, Request for Social Security Statement, then print, sign, and mail it to request a statement. Click here to print the form SSA-7004. 

• Learn how to earn Social Security Credits (PDF 302 KB)

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  using as subject: FEQ-country where you live-last name of the worker’s record under which you receive benefits (sample: FEQ-Argentina-Doe)

– In the email please send us:

• 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, in fact, the reason for lack of payment is the lack of returning 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 scan it back to us along with an ID document to

– After submitting the form with the correspondent ID, we will reinstate the benefits after getting in touch over the phone with the claimant to confirm identity.

– If the reason for the non-receipt is other, we will email or call you to help you.

Accepting Full Calendar Month Reports

Certain non-U.S. Citizens can receive Social Security regular monthly benefit payments after residing lawfully in the United States of America for one full calendar month. They are required to live in the U.S. for one month each time they are outside of the U.S. for six full consecutive months and wish to receive payments.

This requirement applies to beneficiaries eligible to receive a payment but who:

• Are not a U.S. citizen, or
• Were not initially eligible for monthly benefits before January 1, 1985, or
• Have not resided in the U.S. for at least five years.

You must report completing your full-calendar month to receive payment. 

Once you have completed your full calendar month visit, you must present the following documents to the Federal Benefits Unit:

• Passport with date stamp entry into the United States.
• Plane ticket stubs associated with the travel dates on the passport
• 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 must make an appointment with the Federal Benefits Unit to submit your evidence related to completing your full calendar month. To schedule an appointment or to obtain information, the best way to contact the Federal Benefits Unit is by using our online form.

Example: How to comply with a One Full Calendar Month in the U.S. This means you have to be lawfully present in the U.S. before the first minute of the first day of a month and stay until after the last minute of the last day of that month.

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 increases automatically 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 302 KB)

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.

How do I contact my local Social Security office?

What is the maximum Social Security benefit?

Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?

How can I check my Social Security benefits?