How to Apply for US Social Security Benefits from the UK

If you live in the UK and have worked in the United States, you may be able to claim US Social Security benefits. You apply through the Social Security Administration (SSA), and if you are in the UK you can contact the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) at the US Embassy in London for help. Most enquiries can be handled by email or through the online contact form, so you rarely need to attend in person.

• Your date and place of birth and your Social Security number
• The name, Social Security number and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse, plus dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death if relevant
• The names of any unmarried children under age 18, age 18 to 19 and in elementary or secondary school, or disabled before age 22
• Your bank or other financial institution's Routing Transit Number and account number
• Your citizenship status
• Details of whether you or anyone else has ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income on your behalf
• Whether you have used any other Social Security number
• If you are applying for retirement benefits, the month you want your benefits to begin
• If you are within 3 months of age 65, whether you want to enrol in Medical Insurance (Part B of Medicare)
• The name and address of your employer or employers for this year and last year
• The amount of money you earned last year and this year (and, if you are filing between September and December, an estimate of next year's earnings)
• A copy of your Social Security Statement or a record of your earnings
• The beginning and ending dates of any active US military service before 1968
• Whether you became unable to work because of illness, injury or condition at any time in the past 14 months
• Whether you or your spouse have ever worked for the railroad industry
• Whether you have earned Social Security credits under another country's social security system
• Whether you qualified for or expect to receive a pension or annuity based on your own employment with the US federal government or one of its states or local subdivisions
• Your original birth certificate or other proof of birth (or a copy certified by the issuing agency)
• Proof of US citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States
• A copy of your US military service papers, such as a DD-214, if you had military service before 1968
• A copy of your W-2 form or self-employment tax return for last year

1. Decide how you want to apply. You can apply online, or by calling the SSA's national toll-free service on 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by visiting your local Social Security office. If you do not live in the US or one of its territories, you can also contact your nearest US Social Security office, US Embassy or consulate.
2. If you are in the UK, you can contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy in London. All requests for appointments must be made by email to FBU.London@ssa.gov, and you should provide at least 30 days' notice. You will be told by email whether your request is approved.
3. If you prefer to use the online route, complete the contact form on the FBU website, or email FBU.London@ssa.gov. Note that from 1 October 2026 the London FBU permanently discontinued incoming telephone services, so all communications must go through the online portal, email or physical mail.
4. If you are mailing documents, send them to: Federal Benefits Unit, US Embassy, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US. Include a daytime telephone number at which you can be reached.
5. Gather the information and documents listed above before you start. If you apply online, a list of documents you need to see will appear at the end of the application, along with instructions on where to submit them.
6. Submit your application even if you do not have all the documents. You can provide missing documents later, or the SSA may be able to help you get them. If you delay submitting the application, you could lose some benefits you may be due.
7. If you mail documents, include your Social Security number on a separate sheet of paper in the envelope so they can be matched to the correct application. Do not write anything on the original documents.
8. Do not mail foreign birth records or any documents from the Department of Homeland Security (formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service), especially those you are required to keep with you at all times. Bring these to a Social Security office instead, where they will be examined and returned.

If you are a UK resident who has worked in both countries, the US-UK Totalization Agreement may affect you. The Agreement covers old-age, survivors, disability benefits, cash sickness benefits, maternity benefits, death grants, unemployment insurance, and benefits under the Industrial Injuries Scheme.

Under the Agreement, self-employed workers who reside in the United States are assigned US coverage, and self-employed workers who reside in the United Kingdom are assigned UK coverage. Employers and self-employed workers must request a certificate of coverage to establish an exemption from US Social Security contributions. Applications can be made online through GOV.UK, or by post to HM Revenue & Customs, PT Operations North East England, BX9 1AN, United Kingdom.

US employers should retain certificates of coverage in case of an audit by the IRS, and should not send a copy to the IRS unless specifically requested. Self-employed workers should attach a copy of the certificate of coverage to their US tax return every year as proof of the exemption.

Under the US Social Security system, you may earn up to four credits each year depending on the amount of your covered earnings. For example, in 2022 you received one credit for each $1,410 of covered annual earnings, up to a maximum of four credits per year.

If you are applying for a replacement Medicare card, the Center for Medicare Services online registration process does not accept foreign postal codes. You can request a replacement through the London FBU by emailing FBU.London@ssa.gov with the subject line "CMS Medicare Card" and providing your name, address and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for your card to arrive.

Be aware that some third parties have posed as official appointment channels. The FBU has warned that appointments made through a platform called Picktime are not valid, and you will not be admitted to the building. All appointment requests must be made by email to FBU.London@ssa.gov.

Can I apply for US Social Security benefits if I live in the UK? Yes. If you do not live in the US or one of its territories, you can contact your nearest US Social Security office, US Embassy or consulate. In the UK, the Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy in London provides this service.

Do I need to attend an appointment in person? Usually not. Interview appointments are limited and are arranged for individuals who require a mandatory in-person interview, such as first-time Social Security number applicants over age 12, or for urgent enquiries.

What if I do not have all the documents? You should still submit the application and any documents you do have. You can provide the missing documents later, or the SSA may be able to help you get them. In many cases, your local Social Security office can contact your state Bureau of Vital Statistics and verify your information online at no cost to you.

How does the UK-US Totalization Agreement affect my contributions? The Agreement helps eliminate dual coverage. Self-employed workers who reside in the UK are assigned UK coverage, and self-employed workers who reside in the US are assigned US coverage. Employers and self-employed workers must request a certificate of coverage to establish an exemption from US Social Security contributions.

Can I get a replacement Medicare card while living in the UK? Yes. The Center for Medicare Services online registration process does not accept foreign postal codes, so you can request a replacement through the London FBU by emailing FBU.London@ssa.gov with the subject line "CMS Medicare Card" and providing your name, address and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for your card to arrive.