You can receive a “proof of income” letter (also known “budget letter,” a “benefits letter,” a “proof of income letter,” or a “proof of award letter) –free of charge– by contacting the Regional Federal Benefits Unit via our online inquiry form.

You may apply for an original or replacement Social Security Card through the Regional Federal Benefits Unit.

U.S. citizens, non-citizens eligible for Social Security Benefits, 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- 128Kb)

You can request an appointment for this service by contacting the Regional Federal Benefits Unit via our online inquiry form.

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 via the Internet (Pdf- 94Kb)

The Social Security Administration has suspended the field office issuance of Social Security Earnings Statement.  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. The form SSA-7004 can be printed from the following link: form SSA –  7004

Sample Social Security Statement (PFD – 441KB)

To learn how to earn Social Security Credits please (PDF 306 KB)reading.

If you have a U.S. address, you can download your statement immediately by visiting: www.ssa.gov/myaccount/

https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/

The “My Social Security” internet service is not available to individuals with mailing addresses outside of the United States.

Receiving U.S. federal benefits via direct deposit is mandated by U.S. law. Social Security Beneficiaries in Costa Rica have several options for receiving benefits via direct deposit:

1. 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 fax (hyperlink to Fax #) or using our online form.
2. Corresponding direct deposit in U.S. dollars to a Costa Rican savings account through the Bank of New York Mellon by providing one of the following banking institutions with your completed enrollment form:
   BCR –Direct Deposit Sign-up form (Pdf – 121Kb)
   Banco Nacional – Direct Deposit Sign-up form (Pdf – 34Kb)
   ScotiaBank -Direct Deposit Sign-up form (Pdf – 121Kb)
3. International Direct Deposit through any Costa Rican Bank. You will need to complete form SSA-1199-OP-51(Pdf- 1mb) with your bank and return it to the Federal Benefits Unit via fax and/or mail. Note: If you fax or mail documents to our unit please make sure to include your name, claim number, e-mail address, and two telephone numbers where we can reach you.
4. Direct Express – https://www.usdirectexpress.com/

You can remove Medicare Part B by completing form CMS-1763 (Pdf – 67Kb) and returning it via fax or mail to the Federal Benefits Unit. Note: If you fax or mail documents to our unit, please make sure to include your name, claim number, e-mail address, and two telephone numbers where we can reach you.

Applicants residing outside the United States may apply for Retirement, Medicare Only, or Auxiliary Spouse benefits online or for Disability benefits.

For an overview of the information the Social Security Administration Requests on the internet application, please visit the following link.

You may view a short demo video on how to apply for benefits online HERE

If you do not meet the above category of beneficiary, you can request an appointment via our online form.

Please click on the following links for additional information.

• Retirement benefits
• Residency requirements if you are applying for spouse or widow(er) benefits
• Wife/Husband benefits (Pdf-369Kb)
• Widow(er) Benefits/Surviving Divorced Spouse (Pdf- 920Kb)
• Children Benefits (Pdf- 704Kb)
• Lump Sum death benefits
• Disability benefits (Pdf- 1mb)The number of work credits needed for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you became disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. Check HERE for the rules that apply.

Please note that Medicare does not provide any coverage for medical or hospital services outside of the United States.  

You can apply for Medicare Only online at the following link: How To Apply Online For Just Medicare

For official information on Medicare coverage outside the U.S., please review the pamphlet Medicare Coverage Outside the U.S. at: Medicare Coverage Outside the United States (PDF 206 KB)

For additional information on Medicare, please visit the following link: Social Security Medicare (PDF 405 KB)

If you already receive Social Security benefits and want to enroll in Medicare Part B, you can do so by completing form CMS-40 (Pdf – 71Kb) and returning it to the regional Federal Benefits Unit via mail or fax.

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 with the worker (number holder).

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

Where do you report your visit?

We strongly encourage you to report your visit at a local Social Security Office while in the U.S (almost towards the end of your visit) to avoid interruption of your benefit payments. To locate your nearest social security office call 800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

Visit here to learn what you must include in your report:

Note: Make sure to keep a copy of the documents you provided for your own records.

Things you need to know before you Travel

• What is a full calendar month? (Pdf-155Kb)

The Federal Benefits Unit should be notified as soon as possible when a person dies. You can report the death of a beneficiary by using our online form: Certification of the death of a social security beneficiary.

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.

For more information, you can read the ”How you earn credits.” (Pdf- 302Kb)

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.

Telephone Number: (202) 606-0500
Website: www.opm.gov
E-mail address: retire@opm.gov
Mailing address:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
PO. Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017

OPM Publications of Interest

• Survivors Benefits for Children(Pdf – 473 Kb)
• Thinking about Retirement?(Pdf-462 KB)
• Life Events and Your Retirement Benefits(Pdf-777 KB)

www.dol.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).

DOL – Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs

The Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation adjudicates new claims for benefits and manages ongoing cases; pays medical expenses and compensation benefits to injured workers and survivors; and helps injured employees return to work when they are medically able to do so

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.