Bonnie Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 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." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Doug Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 Do it in Houston, have your check deposited in a u.s. bank, and don’t mention that you live abroad. There’s plenty of time to tell them that later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siempre Soluciones Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Doug Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Hmmm, that looks pretty simple. Now I'm wondering why anyone would ever need to go to an office or the embassy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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