Due to the decision of the Social Security Administration to consolidate Federal Benefits workloads within Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, the Federal Benefits Unit in Tel Aviv closed permanently on Wednesday, June 22, 2011.
All Federal Benefits work from Tel Aviv has been transferred to the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv no longer has access to the Social Security Administration computer system and cannot provide Federal Benefits services.
To receive direct service from trained Federal Benefits specialists, you should direct all such inquiries towards the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. They can be contacted at:
Telephone: Call Center Hours 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Monday - Thursday at 02-630-4031
Fax: 02-630-4070
Email: fbu.jerusalem@ssa.gov
In-person inquiries by appointment only: U.S. Consulate General, Consular Section, 14 David Flusser, Jerusalem 93392
Mailing Address: U.S. Consulate General, Attn: Federal Benefits Unit, P.O. Box 290, 91002 Jerusalem
I have been speaking English for more than sixty years, yet I have trouble understanding what is meant by "Walk-in inquiries by appointment only." I thought "Walk-in" meant one doesn't need an appointment... Please explain.
ReplyDeleteAlso, since, by employing the phrasing "within Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza" you clearly mean to convey that Jerusalem is not in Israel, please explain what US documents are necessary to travel legally between Jerusalem and Israel.
As a tax-paying US citizen currently applying for Social Security benefits, I expect you to respond fully and promptly.
Thanks for your comment. As noted on the U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem website, effective July 1, 2011, an appointment is now required for all in-person inquiries. Walk-ins are no longer accepted. Applicants seeking any sort of Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) service will be required to first schedule an appointment by sending an email inquiry to FBU.Jerusalem@ssa.gov. We direct you to contact the Jerusalem Federal Benefits Unit for all other inquiries. You may reach the FBU Call Center 8:30 AM-1:30 PM, Monday-Thursday at +972-2-630-4031. More information is also available at the following link: http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/federal_benefits.html.
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