AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES

Social Security and Other Federal Benefits

 

The U.S. Embassy assists consular clients with a wide range of federal benefits. Whether you are applying for your first social security number, inquiring into survivor benefits, or trying to set up a veteran’s medical examination, the Embassy and the Social Security Administration (SSA) regional office in San Jose, Costa Rica can assist.You can find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

Social Security

The Social Security Administration (SSA) processes claims for retirement, disability and survivor benefits, as well as social security number applications.  SSA also handles all post-entitlement activities affecting beneficiaries under the various programs such as changes of address, issues involving direct deposit of SSA checks, non-receipt of checks and termination of benefits.

Choose a category below to begin!

General information:
If you would like general information about social security, please visit the SSA website at www.ssa.gov. This site includes:

• The Social Security Handbook, which gives general information about Social Security Programs;
• A list of all publications; and
• A list of all downloadable forms.

Social Security Cards / Numbers
If you are applying for a social security number or have a question regarding your social security card or number, please click here.

 

Post-Entitlement Services
The Embassy and the SSA regional office in Costa Rica provide a wide range of services for individuals who are already receiving Social Security benefits. Specifically, we can assist you with:

• a name change or change of address
• the death of a beneficiary
• non-receipt of benefits and the return of checks
• setting up direct deposit
• taxation of benefits
• overpayment/underpayment
• reinstatements
• annual benefit statement

To contact our offices, please click here.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) processes survivor claims, educational benefits, compensation and pension examinations, etc. The Department of Veterans Affairs website offers the Federal Benefits Manual for Veterans and Dependants (1997), details of benefits available and downloadable benefits forms.

 

Office of Personnel Management

The Office of Personnel Management website offers information for federal employee benefits such as retirement programs, thrift saving plans and health insurance.

 

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)

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. Visit the RRB website for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Additional Social Security Administration FAQs can be found here.

Q: I would like to apply for a social security number for my child who is a U.S. citizen. What documents are required, and what do I need to do?

A: If your child is 12 years old or younger, either parent can apply on the child's behalf; the child's father/mother will need to come in person to the Embassy to submit the application. We will need the following original documents:  1) your passport; 2) your child's passport, and; 3) your child's birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.  We cannot accept photocopies – originals only, please. If your child is over 13 years or older, he/she must apply in person.

If your child was born in the U.S. or is a naturalized U.S. citizen and moved overseas when he/she was an infant, you will also need to supply documentary evidence demonstrating that he/she has been living overseas since infancy.  Typical evidence includes school records, old passports, etc.

Q: I applied for a social security number 6 months ago, but have not yet received it. Can you please update me on the status?

A: Please contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) regional office in Costa Rica directly.  SSA Costa Rica will research your request and send the information to the Embassy.  We will then contact you and ask you to come down to the Embassy to release this information.  We cannot release information over the phone. 

Or, you can send us an email to ACS.Managua@state.gov with the particulars about your case.  The Embassy will contact the SSA office in Costa Rica to request a status report.  Once the Embassy has a response from SSA Costa Rica, we will contact you by email and ask you to come to the Embassy to release this information.  We cannot release information over the phone or by email. 

Important: SSA Costa Rica will not provide a status report for any applications that have been processed less than six months.

Q: I’m not a U.S. citizen, but need to have a Social Security number for tax reasons.   

A. Non-U.S. citizens and those who do not reside in the U.S. may be eligible for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for U.S. tax purposes.  This category applies to Nicaraguan citizen spouses resident in Nicaragua without Legal Permanent Residence in the U.S.  Follow this link for more information on ITINs.

Q: I worked in the U.S. for more than 10 years, and I believe I am eligible for social security benefits. When and where can I apply for these benefits? If I am currently working, can I receive benefits?

A: Social Security eligibility is dependent upon Social Security "quarters of coverage" in the U.S. and the age of the applicant. (For information on eligibility, please visit the SSA website at www.ssa.gov.) Generally speaking, if you earned more than 40 credits, which is roughly equivalent to 10 years of work, you are eligible for benefits, and you can apply at the Embassy or contact SSA Costa Rica directly. You may submit your application up to 3 months prior to when you would like to being receiving benefits.

For information on how to determine your "full retirement age," please view this page.  If you fall below the full retirement age AND are currently working full time (45 hours or more per month), it is advisable not to apply for benefits at this time, because your benefits will not only be permanently reduced but will also remain suspended. It is more advantageous to apply either when you reach full retirement age OR when you stop working full time. If you have more questions about your work and how it affects your benefits, please contact the Embassy or an SSA office in the United States.

Q: My spouse recently passed away, and I know he paid SSA/FICA taxes for several years. I am now 50 years old. Can I apply for widower/widow benefits?

A: Before age 60, you can apply for a lump-sum death benefit of up to $225. The application for lump-sum death benefits must be received within 2 years from the date of your spouse's death. Please contact the Embassy or SSA in the United States directly.

The age of eligibility for widow's benefits is 60. You can begin applying up to 3 months prior to turning 60.  If your husband worked in the United States for more than 10 years (more than 40 credits), you can contact the Embassy to schedule an appointment and pursue the possibility of benefits.

Q: I received various forms from the Social Security office in Costa Rica, but do not know how to fill them out. What should I do?

A: Please contact the Embassy or an SSA office in the United States.


Q: What is a "Claim Number," and how is it different from my social security number?

A: The "Claim Number" is a number assigned to social security beneficiaries and their families. For the worker, who is the primary beneficiary, the social security number and Claim Number are the same. Family members claim benefits under the primary beneficiary's Claim Number, but still have their own individual social security number. When applying or requesting information about your claim, be sure to differentiate between these numbers.

Q: My benefits check has not arrived. What should I do?

A: If you do not receive your payment on time, please wait until the beginning of the next month.  If it still has not arrived, please contact the Embassy. SSA may issue a replacement payment.

Q: My husband, who had been receiving SSA benefits, recently passed away and I found some checks issued to him. Can I, as his wife, cash them?

A: No, you can not. Please return them to the SSA. SSA may issue a replacement check under your name.

Q: Can I sign up for direct deposit of my Social Security check with a Nicaraguan-based bank?

A: Yes.  SSA is equipped to deposit federal benefits to accounts at BAC International Bank.  You must wait until your first check arrives at the Embassy to set up direct deposit.

Q: Does Medicare cover my medical expenses in Nicaragua?

A: No, there is no Medicare coverage in Nicaragua, or any country outside of the United States.  You will need to pursue private options for medical insurance coverage.