Jump to content

Alternative contact for Social Security


Bonnie

Recommended Posts

An expat has communicated to the wardens that his wife, after being unable to contact the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica on a social security matter, discovered an office in Washington that helped her. Below is his email:

"Here's the contact information from my wife.  The lady's name was Mrs. Alba.  Her email address is SJREGION@ssa.gov
When Cheryl was talking to her, we got disconnected and she called back.  So I have two phone numbers related to that episode, both that show a DC area code.  They are 202-684-7436  and 202-787-1583."
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have not yet applied for Social Security payments.  But, if I elect to start taking them, do I have to apply at the Costa Rica embassy?  Or can I do it on a trip back to the US and merely visit a Social Security office in Houston, for example?

I assume I'll make the decision to have the funds deposited into an American bank account. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, Uncle Doug said:

I have not yet applied for Social Security payments.  But, if I elect to start taking them, do I have to apply at the Costa Rica embassy?  Or can I do it on a trip back to the US and merely visit a Social Security office in Houston, for example?

I assume I'll make the decision to have the funds deposited into an American bank account. 

 

Uncle Doug,

 

A friend of mine here in Boquete applied last year.  They make it pretty simple to apply, there are three ways, either in person at a social security office, online via their website, or via telephone.  They were successful via telephone.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, Siempre Soluciones said:

 

Uncle Doug,

 

A friend of mine here in Boquete applied last year.  They make it pretty simple to apply, there are three ways, either in person at a social security office, online via their website, or via telephone.  They were successful via telephone.

 

 

Wow! You're right. When I applied a trip to the office was an absolute necessity. Here are the instructions:

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/applying8.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It sure does look simple. And passport renewal now is simple. Back when, passport renewal required personally going to PC. Poco a poco the SSA is entering the 21st century. Of course, it's still impossible to sign up for an online SSA account unless you have a U.S. physical address, for a widow to collect $240 in widow's benefits without making a trip to PC, the proof of life form required of expats is a nightmare (as we all know), etc. Poco a poco.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...