The Federal Benefits Unit
What benefit programs are covered and what countries are served by the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit?
The Dublin Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) provides services for the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Personnel Management and Railroad Retirement Board.
We provide services to residents of Ireland, The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
How do I contact the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit?
- The best way to contact the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit is by using our online form. PLEASE ensure your contact information is filled out. We aim to reply within 5 business days.
- You can write to the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit at the following address:
Federal Benefits Unit
U.S. Embassy
42 Elgin Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4, Ireland
Appointments for the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit
Interview appointments for the Federal Benefits Unit are limited. We will arrange appointments for individuals who require a mandatory in-person interview (e.g. first time SSN applicants over age 12) or for urgent inquiries. These appointments will be in the afternoon only. Most Federal Benefits Unit inquiries can be handled by email or mail.
To obtain an appointment you must send us an email at FBU.Dublin@ssa.gov and provide the reason for your request. Please be sure to advise us of your contact telephone number. We will then arrange a date and time for your appointment.
How do I mail original documents to the Federal Benefits Unit?
The Dublin Federal Benefits Unit mailing address is as follows:
Federal Benefits Unit
U.S. Embassy
42 Elgin Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4, Ireland
It is important to note that the Embassy cannot be held responsible if documents are lost in the mail.
If you submit your documents by regular mail, we will return them to you by regular mail.
However, if you submit your documents by Registered mail, we will return them by Registered mail.
Benefits or Medicare Applications by U.S. Citizens
Please choose what you wish to apply for:
Filing for Benefits or Medicare for a U.S. Citizen
If you are a United States citizen and want to file only for Medicare you can do this online at SocialSecurity.gov.
The online application should take 30 minutes or less.
Retirement Applications for U.S. Citizens filing for benefits at age 66 or older
If you are a U.S. Citizen and want to file for retirement benefits and you want benefits to begin at age 66 or older then you can file online.
You may do so up to 4 months in advance at SocialSecurity.gov .
The online application should take 30 minutes or less.
Retirement Applications for U.S. Citizens between age 62 and age 66
If you are a U.S. Citizen, not working and want to file for retirement benefits to begin between age 62 and age 66 you can file online.
You may do so up to 4 months in advance at SocialSecurity.gov
The online application should take 30 minutes or less.
U.S. Citizens Aged 62-66 who are working more than 45 Hours Per Month
If you are a U.S. Citizen between the age of 62 and age 66 and are working more than 45 hours per month you need to be aware of the following rules:
A person working more than 45 hours per month is not eligible to receive a monthly benefit until they reach the age of 66.
If you have questions about this rule, please complete our online enquiry form and we will provide you additional information.
Retirement Applications for U.S. Citizens between age 62 and age 66 who do NOT work more than 45 hours per month
If you are a U.S. Citizen between the age of 62 and age 66 and are NOT working more than 45 hours per month you can file online.
You may do so up to 4 months in advance at SocialSecurity.gov .
The online application should take 30 minutes or less.
U.S. Citizens Aged 62-66 Who Are Self-Employed
If you are a U.S. Citizen between the age of 62 and age 66 and are NOT working more than 45 hours per month you can file online.
You may do so up to 4 months in advance at SocialSecurity.gov .
The online application should take 30 minutes or less.
Survivor or Disability Applications for U.S. Citizens
If you are a U.S. Citizen and want to file for disability or survivor’s benefits then you should provide information on our Filing For Benefits form.
We will contact you within 10 business days to schedule a telephone appointment.
Applications for Non-U.S. Citizens
If you are not a U.S. citizen and want to file for Medicare, Retirement, Survivors or Disability benefits you should provide relevant information on our contact formFBU Inquiry Form.
We will contact you within 10 business days to schedule a telephone appointment.
Change of Address or Direct Deposit
I am receiving Social Security benefits, how do I report my new residence address to Social Security?
You should contact the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit see Question by completing the online form and provide the following:
a. Your full name;
b. Your Social Security number ;
c. Your new address including postal code;
d. Your telephone number(s) that we use to reach you during business hours;
If you are moving from the U.S. you will also need to provide a completed Form SSA-21 (PDF 157 KB), Supplement to Claim of Person outside the United States, (download a PDF of SSA-21) – all questions must be answered and legible.
I am receiving Social Security benefits, how do I start or change my direct deposit information so my payments go to the correct bank account?
You should contact the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit by completing our online form and provide the following:
a. Your full name;
b. Your Social Security number;
c. Name and address of your bank;
d. Bank IBAN Number
e. Bank BIC Number
f. Specify type of account i.e. checking or savings;
g. Your telephone number(s) that we use to reach you during business hours.
How do I apply for a Social Security number for myself or my child over the age of 12?
To apply for a Social Security number for anyone over the age of 12 the following steps are required;
Anyone over the age of 12 must present themselves in person at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate or designated U.S. Military installation. Please contact the Dublin Federal Benefits Unit through the online form for more details.
A. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS (download Form of SS-5-FS – PDF 131 KB) – all questions must be answered and legible.
B. Provide the following original documents – photocopies are not acceptable.
1. Proof of birth
a. Original U.S. birth certificate, or b. or c. below
i. If you or the child was born in the U.S. you must submit documentary proof that you or the child has resided outside of the U.S. The proof of foreign residency is needed to explain why a Social Security number has not been issued in the past. The proof should cover a significant portion of the entire period of time you or the child has been outside of the U.S. (Click HERE to see list of suggested documentation; other documents may be submitted for consideration.)
ii. If you or the child was born in the U.S. Form SSA- L706 (download Form SSA-L706 – PDF 78.0 KB) must also be completed, signed and submitted along with the application and other documentation. This allows the Social Security Administration to verify the birth record with the custodian of the record.
b. Original U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or
c. Original birth certificate other than above.
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
a. Original U.S. birth certificate, or
b. Original U.S. Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or
c. Original U.S. Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate, or
d. Original U.S. Passport.
3. Proof of identity
a. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed, or
b. Original Foreign Passport, must be current and signed.
NOTE: If the name at birth and name on the identity document are different, proof of name change must also be submitted.
4. Proof of the identity of the parent signing the application, if applicable – a parent can sign the form for a child up to age 18; a child can sign the form above age 12.
a. Original U.S. Passport, must be current and signed, or
b. Original Foreign Passport, must be current and signed.