Call Social Security (SSA) from Abroad
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- $0.39per minute
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Published contact sources
Before you call
Social Security's number for people living outside the U.S. is 1-855-522-6936 (International Operations, 7:00am – 5:00pm Eastern Time). It is a toll-free number, and SSA warns that your local carrier may charge for it; many foreign networks don't connect U.S. toll-free numbers at all — with PayCall you can call it, or the national line 1-800-772-1213, from your browser over WiFi.
By PayCall · Last reviewed
Social Security phone numbers for people abroad
There are no Social Security offices outside the U.S. Social Security's International Operations serves people abroad by phone, mail and email, and through Federal Benefits Units at U.S. embassies and consulates.
| Line | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| International Operations | 1-855-522-6936 | 7:00am – 5:00pm Eastern Time |
| National 800 Number | 1-800-772-1213 | 8:00am – 7:00pm local time, Monday – Friday |
| TTY | 1-800-325-0778 | — |
| Fax (International Operations) | 1-877-385-0645 | — |
Federal Benefits Units near popular retirement destinations
If you live outside the U.S., Social Security sends you to the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) that serves your country. Some FBUs take calls; the Mexico FBUs list fax and email only.
| Where you live | Federal Benefits Unit | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | U.S. Embassy Mexico City / Consulates Guadalajara and Ciudad Juárez | — (fax and email only) | FBU.Mexico.City@ssa.gov, FBU.Guadalajara@ssa.gov, FBU.Ciudad.Juarez@ssa.gov |
| Portugal | U.S. Embassy Lisbon | +351 217 273 300 | FBU.Lisbon@ssa.gov |
| Costa Rica, Panama | U.S. Embassy San José, Costa Rica | +506 2519 2228 | FBU.CostaRica@ssa.gov |
Common reasons to call Social Security from abroad
- Missing or late benefit payment
- Report a change: address, marriage, divorce or a death
- Questions about a pending retirement or disability claim
- Medicare enrollment or a replacement Medicare card
- Benefit verification letter or SSA-1099 tax statement
Calling your local Social Security office
Social Security field offices in the U.S. have their own phone numbers, often toll-free 866, 877 or 888 lines. If a specific U.S. office is handling your case, you can find its number with Social Security's office locator. PayCall can call it from your browser, like the national lines above.
Sources: Social Security: office locator
Do it online instead
Many people without a U.S. mailing address can now open a my Social Security account with an ID.me wallet. From abroad you can check your earnings and benefit estimates, apply for retirement or disability benefits, download a benefit verification letter or SSA-1099, and request a replacement Medicare card. Changing direct deposit or requesting a replacement Social Security card is not available online from outside the U.S.
How to call Social Security from abroad
- 1Have your Social Security Number ready.
- 2Open PayCall in your browser and enter 1-855-522-6936 (or 1-800-772-1213).
- 3Call over WiFi or mobile data and use the on-screen keypad for the phone menu.
Call via PayCall
PayCall calls U.S. numbers — including 1-800 toll-free lines — straight from your browser for $0.39/min, billed per second. No app, no roaming, no U.S. SIM. Unanswered calls are free.
A 30-minute call including hold time costs about $11.70.
Disclaimer
Phone numbers and office hours can change. Always confirm on ssa.gov/foreign before calling.
PayCall is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any U.S. government agency.
Frequently asked questions
What is Social Security's phone number for people outside the U.S.?
1-855-522-6936, Social Security's International Operations, 7:00am – 5:00pm Eastern Time. You can also contact the Federal Benefits Unit that serves your country.
Can I call 1-800-772-1213 from abroad?
Usually not from a foreign phone, because U.S. toll-free numbers are generally only reachable from U.S. networks. You can call it from your browser with PayCall, which places the call inside the U.S. network.
Is 1-855-522-6936 free to call from abroad?
SSA says the number is intended to provide free access around the world, but your local carrier may charge for it. With PayCall it costs $0.39/min, billed per second.
Is there a Social Security office in Mexico?
There are no Social Security offices outside the U.S. Federal Benefits Units at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the Consulates in Guadalajara and Ciudad Juárez serve people in Mexico by email and fax.
How much does it cost to call Social Security from abroad with PayCall?
$0.39/min, billed per second from the moment Social Security answers. A 30-minute call including hold time costs about $11.70.
Can I add credits during a call?
Yes. Tap “Add credits without hanging up” on the call screen and pay with card, Apple Pay or Google Pay right there. The call keeps running, and the new balance extends it. Useful when a hotline keeps you on hold longer than expected.
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