Citizen Services
Federal Benefits
Introduction
The federal benefits specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá provides assistance to residents of Colombia who are eligible for U.S. federal benefits, including Social Security, veteran’s benefits, and other federal government-paid pensions. Our specialist can assist you in applying for these benefits if you are eligible, and in resolving problems that later arise in connection with your benefits. No federal benefits services are currently available at the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla.
Contacting the Federal Benefits Specialist
By email or fax: Our federal benefits specialist can be reached by email at FBUBogota@state.gov or by fax at (1) 315-2196. Email and fax inquiries are answered by the next business day. For those without access to email or fax, you may contact our federal benefits specialist by phone from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Monday through Thursday, except Colombian and U.S. holidays. The number is (1) 315-0811, extension 2422. Due to the high volume of calls, you may find it difficult to contact us by phone, and for this reason we encourage you to rely on email or fax communication instead.
By regular mail: To contact the federal benefits specialist by regular mail, the address is: Federal Benefits Specialist, American Citizen Services, United States Embassy, Cra. 43 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C.
In-person: If an in-person visit is necessary, the federal benefits specialist is available for inquiries from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, except Colombian and U.S. holidays. No appointment is necessary. Click here for directions.
How to Apply for Social Security Benefits
Social Security pension benefits are payable once an eligible person reaches the age of 60 (for a widow or widower), 62 (for early retirement) or 65 (for full retirement). If you qualify based on these age requirements and you live in Bogota, please visit the Embassy’s federal benefits specialist personally. Instructions for how to visit are above. Be sure to bring government-issued photo identification and your Social Security number.
If you live outside Bogota, please send a letter stating that you would like to apply for your benefits. In the letter you should include your Social Security number, a copy of your passport or other government-issued identification, and your complete mailing address in Colombia. You will receive an application and further instructions by mail. See “Contacting the Federal Benefits Specialist” above for our mailing address.
After you submit your application, you should be prepared to wait 8-12 months for payments to start.
Benefits Now Paid by Direct Deposit
Social Security, as well as other federal pensions, are now paid by direct deposit rather than with paper checks. Our federal benefits specialist can advise you on establishing direct deposit in Colombia. Once your payments begin, they will be deposited into your account during the first week of each month.
Requests for Letters Certifying that you are Receiving Benefits
Sometimes the Colombian government or a financial institution will request a letter from the Embassy certifying that you are receiving federal benefits. If you require a certification letter and live in Bogota, please visit the federal benefits specialist in person. See “Visiting and Contacting the Federal Benefits Specialist” above for directions and hours. You must provide proof that you are a beneficiary of federal benefits, such as a copy of your Social Security statement or a notice of approval. Your certification letter will be prepared while you wait.
If you live outside Bogota you may visit personally or send your request by mail. Please see “Visiting and Contacting the Federal Benefits Specialist” above for our mailing address. In your letter you should explain who is requesting the letter, and you must attach proof that you are a beneficiary of federal benefits, such as a copy of your Social Security statement or notice of approval. Be sure to sign the letter and to include your own mailing address. The certification letter will be sent to you within three weeks.
Death of a Beneficiary
When the beneficiary of Social Security or other federal pensions dies in Colombia, the death must be reported to the Embassy as soon as possible, along with the date of death, a copy of the death certificate, and the deceased person’s Social Security number. Please see “Contacting the Federal Benefits Specialist” above for contact information. Be aware that the spouse over 60 or child of a deceased beneficiary may be elegible to receive the beneficiary's Social Security payments.
Communicating Directly with the Social Security Administration
If you would like to correspond directly with the Social Security Administration while you are overseas, you may write to the following address:
Social Security Administration
Office of International Operations
P.O. Box 17769
Baltimore, MD 21235
In your correspondence, be sure to include your Social Security number or claim number, your name as it appears on your Social Security card, and your complete mailing address in Colombia. Due to the volume of overseas inquiries the Social Security Administration receives, you should expect a response no sooner than eight months after your letter is received.
Change of Address
If you are receiving federal benefits while in Colombia and your address changes within Colombia, it is important that you inform the Embassy of the new address. Please see “Visiting and Contacting the Federal Benefits Specialist” above for our contact information. You should include your complete new address, your telephone number, and your Social Security number or claim number.
If are receiving federal benefits and you have just moved to Colombia from the United States or another country, you must visit the federal benefits specialist in person at the Embassy as soon as possible to ensure that your beneits continue. Please see “Contacting the Federal Benefits Specialist” above for the Embassy’s hours and location.
Additional Questions
Please send inquiries by email to FBUBogota@state.gov.