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Social Security and Other Federal Benefits

Applying for a Social Security Benefits or Number (Card)

If you would like to apply for a social security benefits or a social security number (card), please review the following information closely.

We provide assistance to residents of our consular district which includes Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.  Residents in the Tel Aviv consular district must be served at the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.

We are open to the public for walk-in services on Monday, Tuesday (closed on Wednesday), Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  All applications must be submitted in person along with original documents, which will be returned after copies are taken.  

Applying for a Social Security Number or Original Social Security Card

All applicants over the age of 12 must appear in person.

To apply you must do the following:

1. Fill out the SS-5 Application in CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS using legible handwriting.  The application is available from the Consulate General or online at the Social Security Administration’s website: www.ssa.gov/online/SS-5.  Please have your application completed before approaching the Federal Benefits Unit’s window.

2. Provide Proof of Your Age (in the form of one of the following)

  • You can present your foreign birth certificate, or 
  • Your consular report of birth abroad (FS-240)

3. Provide Proof Of U.S. Citizenship (in the form of one of the following)

  • Signed, U.S. Passport 
  • Naturalization Certificate
  • Citizenship Certificate 
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad FS-240 or FS-545

4. Provide Proof of Identification (in the form of one of the following)

  • Signed, unexpired U.S. Passport or Foreign Passport

5. (If Applicable) Parents Applying for Children Under 18 Must Provide Proof of Identification 

  • Signed, unexpired U.S. or Foreign Passport
  • Drivers License
  • Israeli I.D. Card

Applying for a Replacement Social Security Card (Same Name and Number)

Available for U.S. citizens only by providing: 

  • The completed SS-5 Application in CAPITAL BLOCK letters using legible handwriting.  The application is available from the Consulate General or online at the Social Security Administration’s website: www.ssa.gov/online/SS-5.  Please have your application completed before approaching the Federal Benefits Unit’s window.
  • Proof of Identification as described above. 
  • Parents applying for children under 18 must also provide identification as described above.

Applying for a Social Security Card because of a Name Change (Marriage or Legal Name Change)

Available for U.S. citizens only by providing:

  • The completed SS-5 Application in CAPITAL BLOCK letters using legible handwriting.  The application is available from the Consulate General or online at the Social Security Administration’s website: www.ssa.gov/online/SS-5.  Please have your application completed before approaching the Federal Benefits Unit’s window.
  • Original Marriage Certificate
  • Legal Name Change Certificate
  • Proof of Identification showing the new name.  The identification must meet the criteria described above.
     

Further Information

If you do not know your social security number, please call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 from the United States, or at 1-880-772-1213 from Israel, the West Bank or Gaza.  For further information, please visit: http://www.ssa.gov.

Note:  All forms are in PDF format.  To read or download PDF files, the free Adobe Acrobat® reader is required.  If you do not have Adobe Reader, you may download the latest version from adode.com.