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Social Security and Other Federal Benefits

Applying for a Social Security Number or Benefits

To apply for a social security number, you can come to the Consulate without an appointment during our business hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 8AM to 11AM.

If you are interested in applying for social security benefits, you need to schedule an appointment with the Federal Benefits Unit at the Consulate.  To do so, please send an e-mail to JerusalemFBU@state.gov or call 02/622-7211.  Please note that you cannot simply appear during business hours to apply for benefits; you will not be admitted to the Consulate.

Instructions for Applying for a Social Security Number 

To apply for a social security number, please review the following instructions. The application must be completed and signed in blue or black ink.  Please print legibly.  All applications must be submitted in person along with the original documents. Also, please note that for applications filed overseas, it can take as long as six months to receive a social security card.

The Application for a Social Security Number (Form SS-5) must be completed if you are applying for:

  • an original social security card;
    a duplicate or replacement social security card (with same name and number);
  • a corrected social security card (with spelling correction or name change - please note: you must bring your original marriage certificate or certificate of a name change.); or
  • a change of information on your record other than your name (with no card needed).

To apply for an original social security card for a child under 18 years of age, you will need:

  • An original Israeli/Palestinian birth certificate with translation;
  • Proof of identity for the child (U.S. passport, Palestinian or Israeli passport, photo school I.D. card;
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. Passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad); and
  • Proof of identity for the parent submitting the application.

If you are applying for a duplicate, replacement or corrected card for a child under 18 years of age, you will need:

  • Proof of identity and citizenship for the child; and
  • Proof of identity for the parent.

The Consulate General is able to accept social security card applications for children at the time the parents come in to register the child only if the parents are also applying for a passport for the child.  If only applying for a report of birth abroad, the parent(s) will have to wait until they receive the certificate, and then return to the Consulate to apply in person, bringing the additional identity documentation mentioned above.

Please note that applicants 12 years of age and older must be present in person to submit their applications. 

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 and Gaza. For further information, please visit their website: 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 Abode.com.