Embassy of the United States Athens, Greece

1. How do I apply for Retirement, Spouses, Children's and Disability benefits from the:
   • Social Security Administration
   • Department of Veteran Affairs
   • Office of Personnel Management
   • Department of Labor
   • Railroad Retirement Board
2. How do I enroll in direct deposit?
3. How do I request Non-receipt of payment?
4. How do I report Change of Address?
5. How do I report the Death of Beneficiary?
6. How do I apply to become representative payees for incapable beneficiaries and other issues of representative payees?
7. How do I request a Benefits Verification Letter Earnings Letter-SSA-1099/10425?
8. How do I request a proof of income letter of IKA letter?
9. How do I enroll (to) or terminate Medicare Benefits?
10. Windfall Elimination Provision:
11. Totalization Agreement and International Programs
12. How do I request a Social Security Earnings Record?
13. How do I find Social Security Forms?
14. How do I estimate my future benefits?
15. How do I complete the Disability Report  SSA-3368?
16. How do I apply or correct a Social Security Number?
17. How do I obtain more information about services for the Social Security Administration?
18. How do I obtain more information about services for Department of Veterans Affairs?
19. How do I obtain more information about services for Office of Personnel Management (OPM)?
20. How do I obtain more information about services for Railroad Retirement Board
21. How do I obtain more information about services for Department of Labor
    

• Social Security Administration
• Department of Veteran Affairs
• Office of Personnel Management
• Department of Labor
• Railroad Retirement Board

1. Send us an email at FBU.Athens@ssa.gov concerning your interest to apply for benefits and provide the following information:

1. Last name and first name
2. Street Address
3. Phone number
4. Last four digits of Social Security Number
5. Date of Birth
6. Issue

We will do our best to answer within ten business days

2. You can call us at 210-720-2426 from 0830 to 1230 Monday through Friday except for Greek and American Holidays and the last Wednesday of the month.

Be sure you provide the following information in step 1:

1. Last name and first name
2. Street Address
3. Phone number
4. Last four digits of Social Security Number
5. Date of Birth
6. Issue

We will do our best to answer within ten business days

3. Send us a fax at +30-210-729-0509 or +3--210-646-9885 or send us a letter at the following address:

Federal Benefits Unit
American Embassy
Vas. Sofias 91
101 60 athens

Be sure you provide the following information in step 1:

• Last name and first name
• Street Address
• Phone number
• Last four digits of Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Issue

We will do our best to answer within ten business days

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If you are under your full retirement age, to be entitled to Social Security benefits you must not be employed while residing overseas. For more information, visit the following link http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/retirement.htm .

The Treasury Department U.S. announced the mandatory direct deposit of pensions into bank accounts effective immediately

•  If you want to enroll in a US Dollar Account and you are residing in Greece you must go to the following Bank Organizations ONLY: Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank or National Bank of Greece and sign Treasury Department Form SSA 1199. The Bank will provide and forward the form to the Federal Benefits Unit. You do not need to send us any information. Dollar accounts opened in the past on your own may not be the proper accounts.
  IMPORTANT NOTE: You must mention at the financial institution that you want to apply for a US Dollar Account for US Retirement Benefits
• If you want to enroll in a Greek Euro Account, then you must provide us with the IBAN number and contact us using one of the  4 OPTIONS in the Main Page of the Federal Benefits Website
• Accounts in U.S. dollars opened with banks in the U.S.:  If you choose this option, please email or mail us your name, Social Security Number, your address, your telephone number, your Routing Transit Number, your bank account and the type of the account (Checking or Savings).

• Use one of the 4 OPTIONS in the Main Page of the Federal Benefits Website

• Use one of the 4 OPTIONS in the Main Page of the Federal Benefits Website
• Provide old address and new address

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are moving from the United States to an Overseas location i.e. Greece, you must also sign form SSA-21

• Use one of the 4 OPTIONS in the Main Page of the Federal Benefits Website

• Provide a Death Certificate (ΛΗΞΙΑΡΧΙΚΗ ΠΡΑΞΗ ΘΑΝΑΤΟΥ)

• If you want to apply to become a representative payee please use one of the 4 OPTIONS in the Main Page of the Federal Benefits Website
• For information for representatives and their obligations please visit  (www.ssa.gov/payee);and http://www.ssa.gov/faqrep.htm

• Follow the link to request the Form SSA-1099/1042S . You will get the letter by mail at your home address you have registered with the Social Security Administration

IMPORTANT NOTE: This service is available during the following hours:
Monday through Friday: 12 noon to 8 the next morning
Saturday: 12 noon to 6 the next morning
Sunday: 12 noon to 5 the next morning
Holidays: 12 noon to 6 the next morning

• If you need proof that you are receiving income and/or services from Social Security, you can request a”Proof of Income“ letter at this link https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/BEVE/main.html . This is sometimes called a”budget letter, “a”benefits letter, “or a”proof of award letter. “You will get the letter by mail at your home address you have registered with the Social Security Administration

IMPORTANT NOTE: This service is available during the following hours:
 Monday through Friday: 12 noon to 8 the next morning
Saturday: 12 noon to 6 the next morning
Sunday: 12 noon to 5 the next morning
Holidays: 12 noon to 6 the next morning

• Use one of the  4 OPTIONS in the Main Page of the Federal Benefits Website
• For more information about Medicare visit the Website: www.medicare.gov  or http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/medicare.htm 

• It is a Social Security law that applies to beneficiaries who are receiving full benefits from different pension agencies i.e. a pension from Greece and a pension from the Social Security Administration. As a result, your Social Security Pension will be reduced by a certain percentage; depending on the amount of “years of substantial earnings”, you have contributed towards Social Security.
• For more information concerning the Windfall Elimination Provisions please see: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10045.html

• The Totalization Agreement provides beneficiaries who have worked in both countries but do not have enough credits to receive a pension from either country to “add” the time required to fulfill this requirement.
• For information on the Totalization Agreement http://www.socialsecurity.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/greece.html and the countries covered as well as details for the  International Programs please visit the following link: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/international/index.html

12. How do I request a Social Security Earnings Record

• You can request an Earning records by accessing the following link: www.socialsecurity.gov/statement

• Downloadable Social Security Administration forms can be found at this link http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/englist.html and http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online.

14. How do I Estimate my Future benefits?

Visit the following site: Estimate your future benefits (planning calculators

Visit the following link: Disability Report Form Guide Disability Report Form (SSA-3368)

I. How do I apply for a Social Security number for myself or my child over the age of 12?

All applicants over the age of 12 must appear in person.  After completing the following actions, follow one of the 3 OPTIONS to schedule an in-person appointment.

It is very rare for a U.S. Citizen above the age of 12 not to have been assigned a Social Security Number. The most common reason for such an occurrence is a child born in the U.S. who moved abroad while very young.

A. You must submit documentation to prove the allegation of absence from the U.S. as the reason a Social Security Number was never assigned. The documentation must be comprehensive and date from the time the person departed the U.S. to the present to provide sufficient evidence.
The documentation can include:

• school records such as report cards or a letter from the school confirming dates of attendance
• travel documents such as current or canceled passports (U.S. or other)
• employment records
•  medical records
• proof of registration with a doctor or clinic

B. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS  (click here to download a PDF of SS-5-FS) - all questions must be answered and legible.

C. Provide the following original documents - plus one photocopy of each document.

1. Provide Proof of Your Age (in the form of one of the following), original and a copy

• Original U.S. birth certificate.  If you do not have the U.S. birth certificate, complete Form SSA- L706 (click HERE to download a PDF of Form SSA-L706).  It must be signed and submitted, along with the application and other documentation.  This allows the Social Security Administration to verify the birth record with the custodian of the record.  OR
• Foreign birth certificate, or 
•  consular report of birth abroad (FS-240)

 
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship

• Original US birth certificate, or US Passport (unexpired)
• Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• Original Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate

3. Proof of identity

• Original U.S. Passport, unexpired and signed
• Original foreign passport, unexpired and signed

4. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application, if applicable - a parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18; a child can sign the form above age 12.

• U.S. or Foreign Passport, unexpired and signed
• Drivers License
• Greek I.D. Card with a current photo

5. For more details visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ss5doc
 
II. How do I apply for a Social Security number for my child under age 12?

To apply for a Social Security number for a child under age 12 the following steps are required;

A. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS (click HERE to download a PDF of SS-5-FS) - all questions must be answered and legible.

B. Provide the following original documents - photocopies are not acceptable. The completed application and documents should be mailed to us

1. Provide Proof of Your Age (in the form of one of the following), original and a copy

• Original U.S. birth certificate.  If you do not have the U.S. birth certificate, complete Form SSA- L706 (click HERE to download a PDF of Form SSA-L706).  It must be signed and submitted, along with the application and other documentation.  This allows the Social Security Administration to verify the birth record with the custodian of the record. 
• foreign birth certificate, or 
• consular report of birth abroad (FS-240)

 
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship

• Original US birth certificate, or US Passport (unexpired)
• Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad
•  Original Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate

 
3. Proof of identity

• Original U.S. Passport, unexpired and signed
• Original foreign passport, unexpired and signed

4. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application, if applicable - a parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18; a child can sign the form above age 12.

•  U.S. or Foreign Passport, unexpired and signed
• Drivers License
• Greek I.D. Card with a current photo

5.  Mail all the above original documents plus copies to FBU Athens at:

Federal Benefits Unit
American Embassy
Vas. Sofias Ave 91
10160 Athens

III. I have lost or misplaced my Social Security Card; do I need to replace the card?

A Social Security Card itself is not needed. Knowing your number is what is important. All employers, financial institutions, educational institutions, the Internal Revenue Service etc. always verify the Social Security Number with the Social Security Administration, regardless of whether or not a Social Security Card is presented. In part, the reason for this is the possibility of altered or fraudulent Social Security Cards being presented.

If you need the actual Social Security Card, to obtain a replacement card:

A. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS (click HERE to download a PDF of SS-5-FS) - all questions must be answered and legible.

B. Provide the following original documents, plus one copy of the documents. The completed application and original plus copy of all documents to FBU Athens at:

Federal Benefits Unit
American Embassy
Vas. Sofias Ave 91
10160 Athens

1.  Proof of identity

a) Original U.S. Passport, unexpired and signed
b) Original foreign passport, unexpired and signed

2. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application, if applicable - a parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18; a child can sign the form above age 12.

a) U.S. or Foreign Passport, unexpired and signed
b) Drivers License
c) Greek I.D. Card with a current photo

IV. I have a Social Security number, but do not remember the number. How can I find out my Social Security number?

• Use one of the 3 OPTIONS in the Main Page of the Federal Benefits Website

To ensure your privacy we are unable to disclose the social security number to you by telephone or email, you must schedule an in person appointment.

V. I have married or divorced and need to change my name on my Social Security records, how do I do that?

To change your name on your Social Security records the following steps are required;

A. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS -(click HERE to download a PDF of SS-5-FS) - all questions must be answered and legible.

B. Provide the following original documents, plus one copy of the documents. The completed application and original plus copy of all documents to FBU Athens at:

Federal Benefits Unit
American Embassy
Vas. Sofias Ave 91
10160 Athens

1.  Proof of the name change
If the marriage, divorce certificate or legal name change document are less than 2 years old and contains biographical data such as date of birth or age of applicant, submit the original document.

If the marriage, divorce certificate, or legal name change document is over 2 years old or does not contain biographical data such as a date of birth or age, you must also submit proof of identity in your OLD name. If you have no identification in your old name, you must write a statement as to why you do not have such proof of identity and submit proof of identity in your NEW name. 

2. Proof of identity in Old Name, as required

• Original current or expired U.S. or Greek passport, must be signed
• Original driving license
•  Original current or expired U.S. military identification
•  Proof of identity in New Name, as required
•  Original current U.S. or Greek passport, must be signed
• Original driving license
• Original current U.S. military identification

3.  Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application, if applicable - a parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18; a child can sign the form above age 12. 

• U.S. or Foreign Passport, unexpired and signed
• Drivers License
• Greek I.D. Card with a current photo

17. How do I obtain more information about services for the Social Security Administration

Visit the Social Security Administration Website http://www.socialsecurity.gov/sitemap.htm

1. The Federal Benefits Unit handles Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) survivor claims, educational benefits, compensation and pension examinations, etc.
   The Department of Veteran Affairs website offers the Federal Benefits Manual for Veterans and Dependents (2008), details of benefits available, and downloadable benefits forms.
2. Veterans Affairs Administration
   1000 Liberty Ave
   Pittsburgh, PA 15222
   Fax: +1-412-395-6057
   Email: vavbapit/ro/embassy@vba.va.gov

• The Office of Personnel Management website offers information for federal employee benefits such as retirement programs, thrift plans, and health insurance.

• OPM Mail Management Center
P.O. Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017-0045
Telephone: +1- 724-794-2005
Fax: +1-724-794-1112
Email: retire@opm.gov

• The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for the nation's railroad workers and their families. The RRB also administers certain Social Security benefit payments and railroad workers' Medicare coverage.

• 844 N. Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2092
Telephone: +1-312-751-4500
Fax: +1-312-751-7136
Email: chicago@rrb.gov 

• The Department of Labor website offers information on benefits programs such as the Family and Medical Leave Act and workers' compensation programs, (Black Lung, FECA, Longshore).