GN 00904.225 FSPs Trained in Claims Taking and Development

A. Introduction

To aid in processing claims from individuals outside the U.S., some FSPs (as shown in GN 00904.225C.) have been trained in the taking and development of Social Security claims and related issues.

For consular jurisdiction in countries having more than one claims-taking FSP, see NL 01510.100.

The FSPs listed in GN 00904.225C. accept and develop all types of Social Security claims. When the development is complete, the claim is forwarded to OIO.

Although the FSPs in Japan stock some SSA forms and applications, they are not trained in claims taking. Claims from Japan are developed in the same manner as those from other nonclaims-taking countries.

B. Process

1. FSP Action

Except as provided in GN 00904.225B.2., FSPs take applications by telephone (as explained GN 00203.015 and GN 00204.010), mail or in face-to-face interviews.

When a Form SSA-2514 (Record of Claimant’s Intent to File) is taken by a Federal Benefit Unit (FBU) employee, it will show the date and the signature, title and FSP of the employee preparing the form. Such an SSA-2514 is acceptable in the same manner as one prepared by an SSA employee.

2. Mandatory Face-to Face Interviews

Claims for monthly benefits from individuals in the following areas are taken in face-to-face interviews:

•

Dominican Republic;
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Hong Kong:
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Macao;
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Mexico (except as provided in GN 00905.302); and
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The Philippines.

C. List of Claims - Taking FSPS

The following list shows the countries and Foreign Service posts which are trained in claims taking. Unless otherwise shown, these offices have responsibility for all residents of that country.

Country	Foreign Service Post
Argentina	Embassy in Buenos Aires
Australia	VARO in Manila
Austria	Embassy in Vienna
Belgium	Embassy in Brussels
	The Embassy also has responsibility for claims-related activities in Luxembourg.
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia
Costa Rica	Embassy in San Jose
Croatia	Embassy in Zagreb
	The Embassy also has responsibility for claims-related activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia.
Denmark	Embassy in Oslo, Norway
Dominican Republic	Embassy in Santo Domingo
Finland	Embassy in Oslo, Norway
France	Embassy in Paris and consular agency in Nice
Germany	Consulate General in Frankfurt
Greece	Embassy in Athens
Hong Kong	Consulate General
Ireland	Embassy in Dublin
	NOTE: Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and serviced by London.
Israel	Consulate General in Jerusalem
Italy	Embassy in Rome and Consulate General in Naples
Luxembourg	Embassy in Brussels, Belgium
Macao	Consulate General in Hong Kong
Macedonia	Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia
Mexico	FSPs in Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, and Mexico City
Netherlands	Embassy in Dublin, Ireland
Norway	Embassy in Oslo
Philippines	VARO in Manila
	VARO also has responsibility for claims-related activities in Australia.
Poland	Embassy in Warsaw and Consulate General in Krakow
Portugal	Embassy in Lisbon
Serbia and Montenegro	Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia
	The Embassy also has responsibility for claims-related activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia.
Slovenia	Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia
Spain	Embassy in Madrid
	NOTE: Embassy handles claims from overseas Spain and those from countries not involved in the claims-taking process. Overseas Spain includes the Canary and Balearic (i.e., Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera) Islands.
Sweden	Embassy in Oslo, Norway

Switzerland	Embassy in Bern
United Kingdom	Embassy in London

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200904225

GN 00904.225 - FSPs Trained in Claims Taking and Development - 07/11/2011
Batch run: 01/16/2025
Rev:07/11/2011

Program Operations Manual System (POMS)