Social Security Information

Useful Information to Help Americans Overseas Navigate Social Security Communications

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides contact information in several places on its website. To assist our members and the overseas American population, we have put this contact information together in one place below. If, however, you receive an SSA letter that indicates that a form must be returned to an address different from an address listed below, use the address given to you by the SSA and let the AARO office know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can update this document for others.

The information listed below is current as of the date above; if it changes, we will update this document accordingly. To help us do so promptly, please let the AARO office know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you learn of any changes or of any other SSA contact information that would be helpful to others.

Important Webpage: Office of Earnings & International Operations

According to the SSA, the purpose of this webpage is to assist persons who live outside the United States or plan to leave the country. You can find the following information on this page:

• Foreign Countries Served by Social Security
• Instructions for Forms SSA-7161 and SSA-7162 (“proof of life” form)
• How to Contact the SSA by postal mail
• How to Contact the SSA by telephone
• How to Contact the SSA by fax
• How to Contact the SSA by email
• Instructions on how to create a “my Social Security” online account.
  • You can also learn how to set up a ‘my Social Security” account online on the AARO website – see here
• List of Services not provided outside the United States
  • Changing your address (if you are not a US Citizen).
  • Changing your direct deposit.
  • Requesting a replacement Social Security card.
• Forms for Foreign Applicants and Beneficiaries
• Other Information

Specific Contact Information for Americans Living Overseas

The SSA writes on this same webpage that, due to disruptions in international mail delivery, some countries have suspended mail services to the United States and documents sent to the SSA from abroad may be delayed or undelivered. So, the SSA provides the following additional contact information:

• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Please include your Name, Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY), full telephone number, and your reason for contacting the SSA. Note: Sending multiple messages may cause delays.
• Phone: 1-855-522-6936 (7am - 5pm Eastern Time)
• Fax: 877-385-0645

Other Contact Information

Contact the SSA by Postal Mail for These Specific Requests

If you would like to receive your Social Security Statement by mail, print and complete a “Request For Social Security Statement” (Form SSA-7004) and mail it to:

Social Security Administration
Wilkes Barre Direct Operations Center
P.O. Box 7004
Wilkes Barre, PA 18767-7004
United States

To obtain a detailed earnings record print and complete Form SSA-7050 and mail to the address below (there may be applicable fees).

Social Security Administration
P.O. Box 33011
Baltimore, Maryland 21290-33011
United States

If you are not receiving benefits and would like to inquire about benefits eligibility, you may contact your servicing Social Security office (for residents of Canada) or Federal Benefits Unit (for residents elsewhere overseas). You can also contact the SSA by mail at (include your Social Security Number):

Social Security Administration
Office of Earnings & International Operations
P.O. Box 17775
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7775
United States

If you or any family member is already receiving Social Security benefits and you would like to report a change in status, such as, a death, marriage, or divorce, use the following contact address (include your Social Security Number):

Social Security Administration
Office of Earnings & International Operations
P.O. Box 17769
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769
United States

If you need additional help, you may write to the Office of Public Inquiries and Communications Support. Include your Social Security number or claim number:

Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquiries and Communications Support
1100 West High Rise
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
United States

Other Ways to Contact the SSA by Telephone

The SSA writes in its webpage that you can call it in the United States at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time (local where the call is routed), Monday through Friday. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month.

On this same webpage you can find the phone number for your local office by using the SSA’s Office Locator. Automated telephone services are available 24 hours a day and do not require you to wait to speak with a representative. See here for a list of services for which you can use the automated services.

Information Regarding Forms SSA-7162 / 7161 – Called “Proof of Life” Forms

Either annually or bi-annually beneficiaries overseas are required to complete Form SSA-7161 or SSA-7162 (often called a “Proof of Life” form).^[i]

The purpose of the form is to ensure the SSA has the correct address and phone number on file and that circumstances that may affect payment have been reported. The form(s) are required to be mailed to an address in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

One cannot confirm receipt of this form. It is not infrequent for the SSA to claim that the form was not received even though the person has sent it. If the form is not received by the SSA, a follow-up notice is sent to the beneficiary in the fall.

If the SSA still claims that it has not received the form, benefits will be suspended the following February. So, if your SSA benefits suddenly stop early in the year, this may be because the SSA had not (or claims it has not) received the Proof of Life form. Most Federal Benefit Units (FBU) located within American Embassies around the world permit you to mail the Proof of Life forms to them if your benefits have been suspended, but FBU’s will only assist after benefit suspension. The addresses for U.S. embassies around the world can be found here.

Specific Information for Americans in France

Appointments are only accepted for SSN applications. Only first time SSN applicants, aged 12 and above, are required to appear at the U.S. Embassy in person. All other requests for services/assistance are handled by letter, email, fax, or telephone (see below). The FBU does not provide service to applicants who visit the Consular Section for routine services if they have not contacted the FBU in advance.

1. General Information. See here for General Information and FAQs. On this webpage the FBU provides specific instructions for mailing to them your proof of life form.

2. Postal Mail, Phone and Fax Information for Those in France. AARO Members in France may contact the FBU at:

U.S. Embassy
Federal Benefits Unit
4 avenue Gabriel
75382 Paris Cedex 8
France

Phone: +33 1 43 12 27 05 (Phone calls are taken Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 12:00 noon)
Fax: +33 1 42 86 82 91

3. Email Contact Information for Those in France. AARO Members in France may contact the FBU at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Appeals

If you don't agree with a decision the SSA made you can appeal that decision. See here.

You have four opportunities to appeal the SSA’s decision. Start with the first option and continue to move through the process if you disagree with the decisions.

1. Request reconsideration
   Start by asking SSA to reconsider a decision made.

2. Hearing with a judge
   Request a hearing with an administrative law judge if you don't agree with our response to your request for reconsideration.

3. Review of hearing decision
   Request a review with the Appeals Council if you don't agree with the decision made by the judge in your hearing.

4. File federal district court action
   File a federal district court action with the U.S. District Court if you don't agree with the response from the Appeals Council.

^[i] SSA-7162 is mailed annually or biennially. Beneficiaries receiving their own benefits and living in France or in Switzerland will receive an SSA-7162 every other year depending on the terminal digits of their Social Security Number (SSN). Beneficiaries whose SSN end in 00-49 will receive their forms on even numbered years. Beneficiaries whose SSN end in 50-99 will receive their forms on odd number years. Beneficiaries who are residing in Africa will receive their forms each year. Beneficiaries with a representative payee will be sent SSA-7161 each year.