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Social Security Benefits The procedure for Americans who wish to apply for Social Security or Disability benefits is the following.
Only U.S. citizens can file a claim to social security and disability benefits abroad. For social security benefits, the person must have worked for at least 40 quarters. A claim can be filed no sooner than three months before the claimant’s 65th birthday. Early claim can be filed as early as three months before the claimant’s 62nd birthday, however, early claim affects the amount of benefits.
All services for SS beneficiaries, connected to their claim, are free of charge.
- The conditions for receiving benefits while living in Ukraine are: you must either pick up a check every month, or request a direct deposit to your U.S. bank. If you request direct deposit, you must come in person to the Consular Section once a month to sign an Affidavit of Physical Presence.
- The person completes the following forms (available at the Consular Section):
| | Disability Benefits | Social Security |
| SSA-16 | X | |
| SSA-827 | X | |
| SSA-3368 | X | |
| SSA-3369 | X | |
| SSA-2512 | X | |
| SSA-21 | X | X |
| SSA-1 | X | X |
| SSA-7163 (only if the person is employed or self-employed) | X | X |
| First affidavit of physical presence | X | X |
| Medical evidence from date of onset until today | X | |
You must give us the following documents, and we will make certified copies of:
- U.S. passport
- Birth certificate (VERY important, SSA will not be able to process the claim without it)
- SS number card
It will take approximately 210 days for SSA to process the claim. Please contact us if you do not hear from SSA within six months.
We can also assist you in contacting the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other offices.
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