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The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in
Santo Domingo, with over 7,000 beneficiaries, is the second-largest
post in Latin America after Mexico. The office accepts claims for
many different types of benefits related to several U.S. Government
agencies. At our office, you may file your application for
retirement, spousal, widow/er, or children’s benefits, among
others. Most beneficiaries receive their money from the Social
Security Administration (SSA), Veterans’ Administration (VA), or
Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Hours of
Operation:
Our office is open to the public
Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and on Fridays
from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., except on
American and Dominican holidays. If you have business
with our office, please come during these times.
How to Contact
Us:
Most FBU business needs to be handled
in person. Other than in very rare circumstances, we do not make
appointments in advance. All beneficiaries and potential
beneficiaries are seen on a walk-in, first-come-first-served basis.
The Federal Benefits Unit uses a “Q-Matic” system such as you might
see at the deli counter of the grocery store. When you arrive at
the main lobby of the Consular Section building, please take a
number and then have a seat in our waiting room. We only ask that
you be patient, as some clients require more time than others and we
therefore may not get to you as quickly as you would like. Rest
assured that we will see you as soon as possible.
For post-entitlement issues (i.e.,
those not related to a new claim), please call (809) 731-4371
between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. It is very important to remember
that you must have your Social Security number in hand when you
call.
Services
Provided:
The Federal Benefits Unit can assist
you with the following issues:
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Applications for
Social Security numbers.
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Applications for new,
replacement, duplicate and/or corrected Social Security cards.
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Applications for enrollment and
cancellation of Medicare.
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Applications for retirement,
disability or survivor benefits.
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Applications for establishment of
a representative payee (i.e., when the beneficiary is not able
to receive or manage his/her own benefits)
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Changes/corrections to your
record (name, address, death of a beneficiary, etc.)
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Translation of SSA or VA
letters/forms.
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Securing copies of Social
Security records.
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Obtaining information about U.S.
Social Security coverage while you work in the D.R.
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Information about (and enrollment
in) the International Direct Deposit (IDD) program.
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Missing or delayed payments.
Important Note for Department of
Defense Retirees: Department of Defense retirees must deal
directly with their Defense Finance and Accounting Service Center
office in the United States.
INTERNATIONAL DIRECT DEPOSIT (IDD)
PROGRAM:
In November 2002, the Federal
Benefits Unit in Santo Domingo began implementation of the
International Direct Deposit (IDD) program. Under this system, the
U.S. benefit-paying agencies deposit beneficiaries’ monthly payments
directly into the beneficiaries’ designated Dominican bank
accounts. This system increases the speed with which you can
receive your benefits (almost always by the fifth day of the month)
and is significantly more secure than the mailing of paper checks,
which are subject to theft and loss.
RECORD-KEEPING:
It is suggested that recipients keep
a record of payments received: date, amount, agency (SSA, VA, etc.)
This information assists in resolving problems with the non-receipt
of payments and overpayments due to duplicate payments that may
result in interruption of your benefits.
EVENTS THAT
BENEFICIARIES MUST REPORT TO SSA:
Change of
citizenship; Change of address; Work outside the U.S.; Disabled
person returns to work or disability improves; Marriage; Divorce or
annulment; Adoption of a child; Child leaves the care of
representative payee; Child nearing age 18 is a full-time student or
is disabled; Death; Inability to manage funds; Deportation or
removal from the U.S.; Changes in parental circumstances;
Eligibility for a pension from work not covered by Social Security
It is very
important that you tell us if your address changes so your payments
will not be delayed. Even if your payments are being sent to a bank,
you must report any of the changes described above.
Individuals
who do not keep their records current may run the risk of having
their benefits suspended.
Further
Information:
The following links to specific U.S.
Government benefits-granting agencies are provided for your
assistance. Please note that these sites are designed primarily for
use within the United States; however, the SSA and VA sites have
special pages devoted to international issues.
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