How to call US Social Security (SSA) from abroad
+1 855 522 6936
The toll-free 1-800-772-1213 line that the SSA prints on every benefit letter does not work from outside the United States. SSA routes international callers through the Office of International Operations in Baltimore (+1 855-522-6936) or one of 17 Federal Benefits Units attached to US embassies abroad. Which line you should call depends entirely on where you are now, not where you used to live.
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Phone numbers
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SSA international line (toll-free from outside the US)
+1 855 522 6936
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OIO secondary line
+1 410 966 1949
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FBU London (UK, Ireland, most of Africa), 10:00-13:00 UK time
+44 20 7499 9000
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FBU Paris (France, Algeria, Morocco, French-speaking Africa)
+33 1 43 12 27 05
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FBU Manila (most of Asia, Australia, NZ, Pakistan, India)
+63 2 5301 6200
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FBU Santo Domingo (Caribbean, Colombia, Dominican Republic)
+1 809 368 7011
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FBU Madrid (Spain, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Western Sahara)
+34 915 87 22 61
Social Security Administration (SSA) number Browse United States numbers by category →
⏰ OIO Baltimore: Monday, Friday 09:00-16:00 (US Eastern). FBU office hours vary by location, typically 09:00-13:00 local time.
Number last verified 6 July 2026 against ssa.gov
About Social Security Administration (SSA)
WorldDial connects to any of the SSA international lines from a browser, no US SIM needed, at $0.012/min for Baltimore and the Manila FBU and $0.024/min for European FBU offices. If you already have a US mobile plan with affordable international roaming, dial as normal, this page is for the case where you don't, or where the number you need to reach is in a country your roaming plan charges premium rates for.
Why calling from abroad is difficult
- ✗The 1-800 helpline is blocked from every country outside the US, the line rings then disconnects with no error message
- ✗The SSA's own automated phone system can take 8-12 minutes to route an international caller to a human, and the line drops if you go silent for more than 30 seconds while navigating menus
- ✗Each country is assigned to exactly one Federal Benefits Unit, but those assignments change without public notice, the only authoritative list is at ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm
- ✗Several FBUs (Buenos Aires, Manila, Athens) are reachable only by fax or email, with no live phone option for the country they cover
- ✗US Eastern time is 5-13 hours behind most countries SSA serves, which puts most call windows during the local night
Calling costs from abroad
| Method | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| WorldDial | ~$0.012-0.024/min |
| US mobile roaming | ~$1-3/min |
| Hotel phone | Very high |
| International calling card | Medium |
Common reasons to call Social Security Administration (SSA)
How to call Social Security Administration (SSA) with WorldDial
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Practical tips
- 💡Find your country's assigned FBU on the SSA international directory before dialing, calling the wrong office only routes you back through email
- 💡For Baltimore (OIO), call between 09:00 and 10:30 US Eastern; the queue is shortest in the first 90 minutes after open
- 💡For FBU London, dial within the published 10:00-13:00 UK window, the office stops answering at 13:00 sharp
- 💡Have your SSN, date of birth, mother's maiden name, and the last four digits of any US bank account on file before dialing
- 💡If your country's FBU is fax/email-only, send the email first and request a callback time; calling Baltimore as a fallback is slower than waiting for the FBU response
Frequently asked questions
What is Social Security's international phone number?
The Office of International Operations in Baltimore answers on +1 855-522-6936 (Monday, Friday 09:00-16:00 US Eastern). It is the only SSA line that any international caller can reach regardless of country. Most country-specific work goes faster through the relevant Federal Benefits Unit listed on ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm.
Can I call Social Security toll-free from abroad?
SSA publishes +1 855-522-6936 as a toll-free line for callers outside the United States (see ssa.gov/foreign). The domestic 1-800-772-1213 line still does not work from abroad. If you use a paid service such as WorldDial or mobile roaming, you may still be charged by your provider even though SSA does not bill you for the call.
What are SSA's international hours?
Baltimore OIO: Monday, Friday 09:00-16:00 US Eastern (14:00-21:00 UK time, 15:00-22:00 CET). FBU London: 10:00-13:00 UK time, Monday, Friday. FBU Manila: 08:00-17:00 Philippines time, Monday, Friday. Other FBUs vary; the directory lists each.
What documents do I need before calling?
SSN, date of birth, mother's maiden name, the last four digits of your US-routing bank account, and any reference number from a recent SSA letter or notice. If calling about a stopped benefit, also have your foreign address, your last US address, and the date you left the US.
Is there an online way to handle this instead of calling?
The my Social Security online account (ssa.gov/myaccount) handles benefit verification, address updates, and tax-document download for most account holders. Account creation now requires a Login.gov ID.me identity verification, which sometimes blocks foreign-resident applicants, the workaround is to call OIO Baltimore and request manual identity verification by phone.
Why did my benefits stop when I moved abroad?
The two most common causes are a missed Form SSA-7162 questionnaire (mailed every 1-2 years to overseas beneficiaries) and a treaty-country status mismatch. Both require a phone call to resolve. Email and the my Social Security portal cannot reactivate suspended benefits.
Can I call Social Security from the UK?
Yes. Use FBU London at +44 207 499 9000 (10:00-13:00 UK time) or Baltimore OIO at +1 855-522-6936 any weekday.
Can I call Social Security from Spain or France?
Yes. FBU Madrid (+34 91 587 2261) covers Spain; FBU Paris (+33 1 4312 2705) covers France and French-speaking Africa.
Can I call SSA without Skype?
Yes. WorldDial connects from any browser, no app install required.
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