Federal Benefits
Federal Benefits encompasses programs from the following agencies:
Social Security
Department of Veteran Affairs
Office of Personnel Management
Department of Labor
Railroad Retirement Board
Social Security Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) deals with claims for retirement, disability and survivor benefits, Social Security number applications, all post-entitlement activities affecting beneficiaries under the various programs, i.e., changes of address, issues involving direct deposit of SSA checks, non receipt of check allegations and death terminations.
If you would like information on how to apply for social security retirement benefits, or for instructions on how to replace, correct, or change your name on your Social Security Card, see the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. This site also has a downloadable application form, the (SS-5), to use to apply for a Social Security Card and tells you what kind of identification you need to send along with your application form.
You may also go directly to the Social Security Handbook, which gives general information about Social Security Programs. The website also has a list of all publications and a list of all downloadable forms.
Private U.S. citizens interested in obtaining social security cards should come to the Embassy or one of our Consulates with evidence of identity and separate evidence of age. Both a U.S. passport and a certified copy of your birth certificate are normally required; originals only, no copies please. The original documents will be returned to you after examination.
Parents may apply on behalf of children under the age of 12 but must present their own passport in addition to the U.S. passport and birth certificate of their child; originals only, no copies please.
For people who are not U.S. citizens and who do not reside in the U.S., you may be eligible for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for U.S. tax purposes.
Persons headed to the U.S. on student or work visas cannot apply for a social security number overseas. Please apply in the United States.
To find out more about U.S. Social Security benefits or for information about a claim for benefits write to:
Social Security Division
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
1131 Roxas Boulevard
Ermita, 0930 Manila
Philippines
Department of Veteran Affairs
The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) processes survivor claims, educational benefits, compensation and pension examinations, etc.
The Department of Veteran 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 plans, and health insurance.
Department of Labor
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).
Railroad Retirement Board
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 their website for more information.