US Citizen Service

Federal Benefits

Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration website contains information about benefits, payments and international services, i.e. for U.S. citizens who are residing outside of the U.S.
Social Security claims for Malawi are handled by the U.S. Regional Social Security Office in London, England, therefore we are limited in the information we can provide regarding Social Security matters.

Social Security Regional District Office for the Southern Africa Region:
Federal Benefits Unit
24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
United Kingdom
Phone: [44] (0)20 7499-9000

If you would like to apply for retirement, survivors or disability benefits we can provide you with a questionnaire, which you need to complete and forward to the Regional Social Security Office in London, England.

To receive this information packet call the US Embassy at 01-773-166.
Applications for Social Security Numbers may be made at one of the consulates. Your application and supporting documents are forwarded to the Social Security Administration who assign a number. The Social Security Number will be mailed directly to you, though the process takes several months.

If you have not received your Social Security Number within 6 months, please contact the Social Security Regional Office in London, England, Phone: [44] (0)20 7499-9000.
If you are 18 years or older and applying for a Social Security number for the first time, you will need to appear in person, either at a U.S. consular office abroad or at a Social Security office in the U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs website offers the Federal Benefits Manual for Veterans and Dependants, also available on the website are downloadable benefit forms.

Federal Benefits Unit—Frequently Asked Questions
All forms listed below can be found on the Social Security Administration website http://www.ssa.gov/ or at the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe, Malawi

I. Contacting the London Federal Benefits Unit
How do I contact the London Federal Benefits Unit?

A.  The best way to contact the London Federal Benefits Unit is via email at FBU.London@ssa.gov .  You will receive a reply within 3 business days.
B.  You can write or send original documents to the London Federal Benefits Unit at the following address:

U.S. Embassy
Federal Benefits Unit
Box 0005
24
Grosvenor Square
London W1A 2LQ

C.  If necessary you can visit the U.S. Embassy Lilongwe, Tuesday or Thursdays from 8am-12pm or 1:30pm-4:30pm.
D.  You can call the London Federal Benefits Unit Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 am and 1:00 pm at 020.7499-9000.

II. Social Security Numbers
How do I apply for a Social Security number for my child under the age of 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 – all questions must be answered and legible.
B.  Provide the following original documents – photocopies are not acceptable. The completed application and documents should be brought into the Embassy Tuesday or Thursdays from 8am-12pm or 1:30pm-4:30pm.

1. Proof of the child’s birth

a. Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad or
b. Original U.S. birth certificate

i.  If the child was born in the U.S. you must also submit proof that you or the child has resided outside of the U.S. for a significant period of time to explain why a Social Security number has not been issued in the past.  Proof of foreign residency can include medical, school and employment records.
ii.  If the child was born in the U.S. Form SSA- L706 must also be completed, 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.

2. Proof of the child’s U.S. Citizenship

a. Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad or
b. Original U.S. birth certificate

3. Proof of the child’s identity

a. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed

4. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application

a. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed

How do I apply for a Social Security number for myself or my child (age of 12 and over)?
To apply for a Social Security number for anyone over the age of 12 the following steps are required;

A. Anyone over the age of 12 must present themselves in person at the U.S. Embassy.
B. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS– all questions must be answered and legible.
C. Provide the following original documents – photocopies are not acceptable.

1. Proof of birth

a)  Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or
b)  Original U.S. birth certificate, or b. or c. below

i)  If you or the child was born in the U.S. you must also submit proof that you or the child has resided outside of the U.S. for a significant period of time to explain why a Social Security number has not been issued in the past.
ii) If you or the child was born in the U.S., Form SSA- L706 must also be completed, 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.

2.  Proof of U.S. Citizenship

a)  Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad or
b)  Original U.S. birth certificate, or
c)  Original Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate

3.  Proof of the child’s identity

a)  Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed

4.  Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application

a)  Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed

It is very rare for someone who was born in the U.S. not to have been assigned a Social Security Number.  The most common reason for such an occurrence is a child was born in the U.S. and moved abroad while very young.  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 e.g. report cards or a letter from the school confirming dates of attendance; travel documents e.g. current or cancelled passports, U.S. or other; employment records, medical records or proof of registration with a doctor or clinic, etc. All evidence submitted must be original documents, photocopies are not acceptable.

I have obtained a U.S. Visa that allows me to work in the U.S.  Can I apply for a Social Security Card before I travel to the U.S.?
If you have obtained a U.S. Visa that allows you to work in the U.S. you must apply for a Social Security Card after you enter the U.S.  You may apply at the nearest Social Security Office.  You can obtain the address of the nearest Social Security Office by using the following link to http://socialsecurity.gov/  and the header "Find A Social Security Office".  You will need to complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS and provide the original documents listed above.

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.

I have a Social Security number, but do not remember the number.  How can I find out my Social Security number?
Complete the Request for Verification of a Social Security Number. The form can be emailed or mailed to the Federal Benefits Unit. We will mail you a verification of your Social Security Number within 3 business days.

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– 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 as described in Question How do I mail original documents to the Federal Benefits Unit?
C.  Proof of the name change

1. Original marriage or divorce decree
If the marriage or divorce certificate 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.

D.  Proof of identity in Old Name, as required

1. Original current or expired U.S. passport, must be signed
2. Original US driving license
3. Original current or expired U.S. military identification

E.  Proof of identity in New Name, as required

1. Original current U.S. must be signed
2. Original US driving license
3. Original current U.S. military identification

III. Change of Address or Direct Deposit
I am receiving Social Security benefits, how do I report my new residence address to Social Security?
You should contact the London Federal Benefits Unit and provide the following; 

A.  Your full name
B.  Your Social Security number
C.  Your new address including postal code
D.  Your telephone number(s) that we use to reach you during business hours

If you are moving from the U.S. you will also need to provide a completed Form SSA-21, Supplement To Claim Of Person Outside The United States, all questions must be answered and legible.

I am receiving Social Security benefits, how do I start or change my direct deposit information so my payments go to the correct bank account?
If you have a bank account in the U.S. you should contact the London Federal Benefits Unit and provide the following; 

A.  Your full name
B.  Your Social Security number
C.  Name and address of your bank
D.  Bank sorting code number
E.  Bank account number
F.  Specify type of account i.e. checking or savings
G.  Your telephone number(s) that we use to reach you during business hours

If you do not have a bank account in the U.S. you can apply for a fee for service from Chase Direct Deposit Card, see their website for more details: http://www.jpmorgan.com/cm/ContentServer?c=TS_Content&pagename=jpmorgan%2Fts%2FTS_Content%2FBlank&cid=1159365681065&source=DirectURL_ddc
 
IV. Filing for Social Security Benefits
How do I file for Social Security benefits?
You should contact the London Federal Benefits Unit and provide the following; 

A.  Your full name
B.  Your Social Security number
C.  Your date of birth
D.  Your telephone number(s) that we use to reach you during business hours
E.  Your email address

The Federal Benefits Unit will contact you to arrange a telephone appointment.

V. Social Security Benefit Statements
How do I correct the address on my Social Security Statement which I receive each year?
Until you actually apply for benefit payments, we do not keep your current address on record at the Social Security Administration.  When we mail your automatic Social Security Statement to you, we use the address provided to U.S. by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Your address will be automatically updated when you file your next U.S. Tax Return or you can correct the address that IRS has on file by completing the Form 8822 and mailing it to IRS.