GN 00904: Jurisdiction and Contacts
TN 15 (02-06)
A. Introduction
To aid in processing claims from individuals outside the U.S., some FSPs (as shown in GN 00904.225C.) have been trained in the taking and development of Social Security claims and related issues.
For consular jurisdiction in countries having more than one claims-taking FSP, see NL 01510.100.
The FSPs listed in GN 00904.225C. accept and develop all types of Social Security claims. When the development is complete, the claim is forwarded to OIO.
Although the FSPs in Japan stock some SSA forms and applications, they are not trained in claims taking. Claims from Japan are developed in the same manner as those from other nonclaims-taking countries.
B. Process
1. FSP Action
Except as provided in GN 00904.225B.2., FSPs take applications by telephone (as explained GN 00203.015 and GN 00204.010), mail or in face-to-face interviews.
When a Form SSA-2514 (Record of Claimant’s Intent to File) is taken by a Federal Benefit Unit (FBU) employee, it will show the date and the signature, title and FSP of the employee preparing the form. Such an SSA-2514 is acceptable in the same manner as one prepared by an SSA employee.
2. Mandatory Face-to Face Interviews
Claims for monthly benefits from individuals in the following areas are taken in face-to-face interviews:
Dominican Republic;
Hong Kong:
Macao;
Mexico (except as provided in GN 00905.302); and
The Philippines.
C. List of Claims - Taking FSPS
The following list shows the countries and Foreign Service posts which are trained in claims taking. Unless otherwise shown, these offices have responsibility for all residents of that country.
|
Country |
Foreign Service Post |
|---|---|
|
Argentina |
Embassy in Buenos Aires |
|
Australia |
VARO in Manila |
|
Austria |
Embassy in Vienna |
|
Belgium |
Embassy in Brussels |
|
The Embassy also has responsibility for claims-related activities in Luxembourg. |
|
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia |
|
Costa Rica |
Embassy in San Jose |
|
Croatia |
Embassy in Zagreb |
|
The Embassy also has responsibility for claims-related activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia. |
|
|
Denmark |
Embassy in Oslo, Norway |
|
Dominican Republic |
Embassy in Santo Domingo |
|
Finland |
Embassy in Oslo, Norway |
|
France |
Embassy in Paris and consular agency in Nice |
|
Germany |
Consulate General in Frankfurt |
|
Greece |
Embassy in Athens |
|
Hong Kong |
Consulate General |
|
Ireland |
Embassy in Dublin |
|
NOTE: Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and serviced by London. |
|
|
Israel |
Consulate General in Jerusalem |
|
Italy |
Embassy in Rome and Consulate General in Naples |
|
Luxembourg |
Embassy in Brussels, Belgium |
|
Macao |
Consulate General in Hong Kong |
|
Macedonia |
Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia |
|
Mexico |
FSPs in Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, and Mexico City |
|
Netherlands |
Embassy in Dublin, Ireland |
|
Norway |
Embassy in Oslo |
|
Philippines |
VARO in Manila |
|
VARO also has responsibility for claims-related activities in Australia. |
|
|
Poland |
Embassy in Warsaw and Consulate General in Krakow |
|
Portugal |
Embassy in Lisbon |
|
Serbia and Montenegro |
Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia |
|
The Embassy also has responsibility for claims-related activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia. |
|
|
Slovenia |
Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia |
|
Spain |
Embassy in Madrid |
|
NOTE: Embassy handles claims from overseas Spain and those from countries not involved in the claims-taking process. Overseas Spain includes the Canary and Balearic (i.e., Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera) Islands. |
|
|
Sweden |
Embassy in Oslo, Norway |
|
Switzerland |
Embassy in Bern |
|
United Kingdom |
Embassy in London |