IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Social Security Online Services

Until now, you needed a U.S. mailing address to access Social Security’s free my Social Security account and use their online services. Now, many people without a U.S. mailing address can create a personal my Social Security account and use the online services with an ID.me credential.  If you don’t already have an ID.me credential:

1. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
2. On the my Social Security page, select the “Create an Account” button and then select “Sign in with ID.me.”
3. Select the “Create an ID.me account” link and follow the instructions.
4. On ID.me’s “Verify Your Identity” screen, select the “I don’t live in the United States” link at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions to complete the registration process.
5. Once you create your credential, you will be returned to the my Social Security webpage for next steps.

If you already have an ID.me credential, select “Sign In” from the my Social Security page and then sign in to ID.me. You will be redirected to your my Social Security account.

Note: if you had a my Social Security account prior to moving overseas, you will need to create an ID.me credential to use it from an international address.

Once you have created your personal my Social Security account, you will be able to:

• Check your earnings.
• Get your benefit estimates.
• Check the status of your application or appeal.
• View, print, or save a benefit verification letter (Social Security is unable to mail to a foreign address).
• Change Special Notice Options (SNO Notices).
• Access some representative payee services.
• View, print, or save a replacement SSA-1099/1042S tax statement (Social Security is unable to mail replacement statements to a foreign address).
• Access online notices.
• Request a replacement Medicare Card.

Some services are not available outside of the United States:

• Changing your address.
• Changing your direct deposit.
• Requesting a replacement Social Security card.

 

 

Our Service Area

The London Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) provides services for the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Personnel Management, Railroad Retirement Board, Medicare, and Department of Labor.   The largest program is the Social Security Administration.

The FBU London provides assistance to over 44,000 beneficiaries throughout the UK, Bermuda and the following countries in Africa: Botswana, Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria,  Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

If you reside in the Netherlands, Belgium or Luxembourg, please direct your inquiry to the Federal Benefits Unit in Dublin, Ireland.

If you reside in a country that is not listed above, please direct your inquiry to your local U.S Embassy or Consulate’s website to locate your nearest Federal Benefits Unit.

The Federal Benefits Unit is unable to answer inquiries related to visas, passports, IRS, Selective Service Registration, voting or other non-federal benefit issues.   Please see the Embassy Sections and Agencies for assistance in contacting the correct department.

Contact Us

You may contact us in a variety of ways but the most efficient way is by using our online form.
Please also take note of our privacy policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) answers the most popular questions.

Services

Medicare Cards with New ID Number and Foreign Post Codes

The Center for Medicare Services online registration process does NOT accept foreign postal codes.
You can request a replacement Medicare Card through our office.
Please  mail FBU.London@ssa.gov with subject line “CMS Medicare Card” and provide your Name, Address and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN).
Please allow 4-6 weeks for your card to arrive.