Social Security Administration
On Monday, May 22, 2023, the Manila Central Post Office caught fire and the building suffered extensive damage. As a result of the fire, we anticipate that postal service in Manila will be significantly delayed. Until postal service is fully restored, we recommend that clients send correspondence to our office via courier service. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
If you did not receive your monthly Social Security payment this month, your benefits have likely been suspended because we did not receive the annual questionnaire form that was mailed to you.
To reinstate your benefit payments, you will need to print and complete one of the forms listed below.
- If you are a Social Security beneficiary, please complete Form SSA-7162
- If you are the Representative Payee for a beneficiary, please complete Form SSA-7161
When completing the form, please ensure that you include your complete name, address, contact number, SSN and sign the form. Once signed, mail the completed form to:
Social Security Administration
ATTN: FEQ
U.S. Embassy
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita
Manila, Philippines 0930
Once we receive the completed form, we will take immediate action to reinstate benefits. Any past due benefits will be directly deposited into your bank account, usually within 7-10 business days. Thank you.
Overview
The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Manila provides services for the Social Security Administration (SSA) and other federal benefit agencies to customers in the Philippines and over 40 other countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. Please refer toSSA’s websitefor a list of countries and the location of their servicing Federal Benefits Unit.
The FBU is unable to answer inquiries related to visas, passports, registrations of birth, voting, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Please visit theEmbassy Sections and Agenciespage for assistance in contacting the appropriate section.
All services provided are free of charge and include:
- Taking claims for various types of Social Security benefits, including retirement, survivors, disability and lump sum death payment
- Processing applications for new or replacement Social Security cards
- Processing post-entitlement issues, including the Annual Report Form (SSA-7161 or SSA-7162), change of address, direct deposit enrollment, and non-receipt of benefit checks
- Resolving earnings discrepancies
- Assisting with Medicare enrollment and termination
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please visit our FAQ page. For general information on Social Security, please visit www.SocialSecurity.gov.
Social Security Online Services
You can now access many services online if you live outside of the United States. Learn more about what you can do with your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/foreign.
To create a my Social Security account using an international address and/or phone number, you will first need to create an account using ID.me. For step-by-step instructions, please see our pamphlet entitled, How to Create a mySSA Account.
Contact Us
You may contact us in a variety of ways, but the most efficient way is to contact us via our FBU Inquiry Form. We generally respond within 10 – 15 business days from the date of receipt.
To assist you with your concerns, we may ask for your Social Security Number (SSN), your date of birth and/or banking information. Providing this information is optional; however, we may need this information to answer your questions and fully assist you.
Phone
You may call us at +632-5301-6200 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Manila Time) every Tuesday and Thursday, except on U.S. and Philippine Holidays.
In-Office Appointments
To ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff, our in-person services are limited toappointment only. Currently, appointments are available on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. To schedule an appointment, please contact us using our FBU Inquiry Formand we will contact you to schedule the appointment. Please note that electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, laptops, etc.) are not allowed inside the Embassy.
Facsimile or Postal Mail
You may send your inquiry via fax to +632-8708-9714 or write to us at the following address:
| Mailing Address: |
|---|
| U.S. Embassy – Manila Social Security Administration 1201 Roxas Boulevard Manila, Philippines 0930 |
IMPORTANT:
For OPM annuitants, we provide general services such as direct deposit enrollment, reporting of death and appointment of a Representative Payee. For all other services, please email OPM directly atretire@opm.gov. For more information about OPM, you may visit their website atwww.opm.gov.
For veterans living overseas, please visitVA’s websitefor more information.
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Emergency Assistance
U.S. Citizens with Emergencies in the Philippines
Please call: (+63) 2 5301-2000
Outside of Office Hours, contact: (+63) 2 5301-2000
Outside of the Philippines: (+63) 2 5301-2000
Emergency Contact – All LocationsEnroll in STEPInternational Parental Child AbductionArrest of a U.S. CitizenDeath of a U.S. CitizenVictims of CrimeEmergency Financial Assistance
As an expert with demonstrable knowledge in the field, particularly in the areas of international services and the Social Security Administration (SSA), I can provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and information presented in the provided article. My expertise is grounded in a thorough understanding of the SSA's operations, international benefit services, and the specific details outlined in the text.
First and foremost, the article discusses an unfortunate incident involving a fire at the Manila Central Post Office on May 22, 2023. The fire has resulted in extensive damage, leading to anticipated delays in postal services in Manila. Given my background in SSA services, I understand the potential impact this could have on the distribution of important documents, such as the annual questionnaire form.
The article mentions the suspension of Social Security benefit payments for individuals who did not receive their monthly payment due to the non-receipt of the annual questionnaire form. To reinstate benefits, individuals are instructed to print and complete the appropriate form, either Form SSA-7162 for Social Security beneficiaries or Form SSA-7161 for Representative Payees. These forms should be sent to the Social Security Administration at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.
The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Manila is highlighted as the entity responsible for providing services to the SSA and other federal benefit agencies in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific Region. The FBU offers various services, including taking claims for Social Security benefits, processing applications for new or replacement Social Security cards, addressing post-entitlement issues, resolving earnings discrepancies, and assisting with Medicare enrollment.
The article emphasizes that the FBU cannot address inquiries related to visas, passports, registrations of birth, voting, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Instead, individuals are directed to appropriate embassy sections and agencies for assistance.
Furthermore, the article provides information on online services through the SSA's website, allowing individuals outside the United States to access services through a personal my Social Security account.
For contacting the FBU, the article offers multiple options, including email, phone, in-office appointments, facsimile, and postal mail. The importance of providing specific information, such as Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, and banking information, is highlighted for efficient service.
In terms of emergency assistance and additional resources, the article includes contact information for U.S. Citizens with emergencies in the Philippines, emergency contact details for various situations, and links to relevant websites for OPM annuitants and veterans living overseas.
In summary, the information in the article is multi-faceted, covering the impact of the Manila Central Post Office fire on postal services, the suspension of Social Security benefits, the role of the Federal Benefits Unit in Manila, available services, online access, and various contact options for assistance and emergencies.
