How to call Social Security (SSA) from abroad in 2026

The Social Security Administration's domestic helpline, `1-800-772-1213`, does not work from outside the United States. International callers reach the Office of International Operations (OIO) in Baltimore on `+1 855-522-6936`, or the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) assigned to their country of residence. Full number tables and country routing live on the [SSA from abroad](/call-social-security-from-abroad) page.

The numbers that actually answer

Primary international line (any country):

• ›`+1 855-522-6936`, SSA Office of International Operations, Baltimore
• ›Hours: Monday, Friday 09:00-16:00 US Eastern

Secondary OIO line when the primary is jammed:

• ›`+1 410-966-1949`

Selected Federal Benefits Units (hours local; typically a morning window):

• ›FBU London: `+44 207 499 9000`, UK, Ireland, most of Africa, often 10:00-13:00 UK time
• ›FBU Paris: `+33 1 4312 2705`, France and much of French-speaking Africa
• ›FBU Manila: `+63 2 5301 6200`, most of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan
• ›FBU Madrid: `+34 91 587 2261`, Spain and related territories
• ›FBU Santo Domingo: `+1 809 368 7011`, Caribbean corridor

Country-to-FBU assignments change. Confirm the current office on the official [SSA foreign directory](https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm) before dialing. Calling the wrong FBU usually ends in a redirect to email.

Why the 1-800 line fails abroad

US toll-free `800` numbers are not all equal. The public `1-800-772-1213` line is provisioned for domestic origination. From a foreign carrier the call rings, then drops, with no useful error. The OIO `+1 855-522-6936` line is the international entry point SSA publishes for overseas beneficiaries.

There is no free SSA international equivalent. Every successful call from abroad is a paid international call to a US or FBU number.

What to prepare before dialing

Have these ready before the IVR starts:

• ›Full Social Security number
• ›Date of birth and mother's maiden name
• ›Last four digits of any US bank account on file
• ›Foreign address and date of departure from the US
• ›Any reference from a recent SSA letter (including Form SSA-7162 / proof-of-life mailings)

Without those, agents bounce the call to a callback that may never arrive in the local evening.

Best windows and hold reality

For Baltimore OIO, the shortest queue is usually 09:00-10:30 US Eastern, the first 90 minutes after open. That is mid-afternoon in Western Europe and late evening across much of Asia.

FBU London stops answering at the published close (often 13:00 UK time). Do not start that call at 12:40.

Automated SSA phone menus can take 8-12 minutes before a human. Stay on the line; silence longer than about 30 seconds during menu navigation can drop the call.

What it costs

From outside the US, three common routes:

• ›Local mobile / roaming to `+1` or a local FBU number, often $1-$3+/min depending on the plan
• ›Hotel or business-centre phone, usually the most expensive option
• ›Browser-to-phone, US destinations on the live [rates](/rates) table are typically a few cents per minute; Baltimore OIO and many FBU numbers land in that band

If a roaming plan already includes cheap calls to the US, use it. Browser-to-phone is for the case where the handset plan does not, or where the assigned FBU is in a country the roaming plan prices as premium. Related government calling patterns are covered under [government offices from abroad](/call-government-office-from-abroad); tax questions often belong on the [IRS from abroad](/call-irs-from-abroad) page instead.

FAQs

What is Social Security's international phone number?

`+1 855-522-6936` (OIO Baltimore), Monday, Friday 09:00-16:00 US Eastern. Country-specific work is often faster through the FBU listed at [ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm](https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm).

Can SSA's 1-800 line be dialed from abroad?

No. `1-800-772-1213` is blocked from outside the US. Use OIO or the assigned FBU.

Is there an online alternative to calling?

[my Social Security](https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount) handles many address, verification, and tax-form tasks. New foreign-resident account creation can fail Login.gov / ID.me checks; OIO can sometimes complete manual identity verification by phone.

Why did benefits stop after a move abroad?

Missed Form SSA-7162 questionnaires and treaty-country status mismatches are the two most common causes. Email rarely reactivates suspended benefits; a phone call to the correct office is required.