Visiting and Contacting
Citizen Services
Federal Benefits Unit
Contact Information
The American Citizens Services Unit in Bogota provides U.S. Federal Benefits assistance to persons residing in Colombia. No federal benefits assistance is available at the U.S. Consular Agency in Barranquilla.
Mailing Address:
American Citizen Services - Federal Benefits Unit
US Embassy
Cra. 45, No. 24B 27.
Bogota
Colombia
tel: (1) 315-0811, Mon. through Fri from 10:30 to 12.
fax: (1) 315-2196
email:FBUBogota@state.gov
As of January 1, 2009, the Federal Benefits Unit operates on an APPOINTMENTS-ONLY system. To schedule an appointment or to obtain information, please call (1) 315-0811 from 10:30 to 12:00 p.m. Or send an e-mail to FBUBogota@state.gov
You are also welcome to write or email us. Please include your Social Security claim number on any correspondence directed to us. It is also advisable to provide a telephone number where you can be contacted during the day.
Services:
The Federal Benefits Unit provides assistance with Social Security, Veterans, Civil Service and Railroad Retirement benefits, including the following:
• Provide forms and information related to filing Social Security claims for retirement, auxiliary, survivor’s and disability benefits.
• Beneficiary status changes transactions (i.e. notice of changes of address, non-receipt of payment, etc.)
• Assistance with a variety of post-entitlement actions including enforcement questionnaires, school certificates, overpayment refunds, continued disability reports, etc.
• Medicare enrollments and cancellations.
• Applications for Social Security Numbers and requests for Social Security card replacement.
• Issue letters certifying that you are receiving benefits.
• Accept reports of the death of a benedficiary.
Useful links:
You are encouraged to visit the following federal benefits agencies’ websites for online information:
Social Security Administration:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/
Department of Veterans Affairs:
http://www.va.gov/
VA Foreign Medical Program:
http://www.va.gov/hac/fmp/fmp.asp
Office of Personnel Management:
http://www.opm.gov/
Railroad Retirement Board:
http://www.rrb.gov/
Direct deposit of federal benefits in Colombia:
It is now possible to receive Social Security benefits electronically to a bank account in Colombia. The two banks to which we can currently transfer benefits are:
BanColombia
Banco de Bogota
If you have an individual account in one of the above banks, you may use the sign up form to request enrollment. This form is available at the bank.