Applying for ...


Applying for Social Security from Korea
(do not submit "Sample" SSA forms for claims to Social Security.
Fill in and bring to RAO for completion and submission of official forms and supporting documents)
Type of Application Forms Required Supporting Documents* Comments
Retirement Benefits SSA-21, SSA-1 Birth Certificate, DD Form 214 Can be submitted as early as three months prior to 62nd birthday for early benefits.  Submit three months prior to desired date for start of benefits.
Spouse Benefits SSA-21**, SSA-2 Birth Certificate (or for Korean spouse submit official Family Register with English translation), Marriage Certificate If spouse does not have Social Security number, also submit SSA-5FS to apply for a new number.  Benefits for Korean spouses are taxed at 25.5% and tax is non-refundable.
Child Benefits SSA-21**, SSA-4 Child's Birth Certificate, death certificate in the case of deceased wage earner Use if you are drawing Social Security disability or retirement benefits and you have a minor child.  If child is adopted, include adoption papers; benefits payable if child is under 19 and attending secondary school.
Mother's or Father's Benefits SSA-21**, SSA-5 Mother's or father's Birth Certificate (see above for Korean spouse), Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate Used for the surviving spouse of a deceased wage earner who is caring for the U.S. citizen child of the wage earner (such as military retiree) if the child is under age 16
Disability Benefits SSA-21, SSA-16, SSA-3368 Birth Certificate, DD Form 214, medical evidence as required by SSA-3368 Applicant must be totally unable to perform substantial gainful employment.  Benefits will not be paid until six months after onset of total disability, and will be paid until up to nine months after return to work.

For initial claim, mail to:
Social Security Administration
Office of International Operations
P.O. Box 17775
Baltimore, MD 212135-7775

Mail follow-up medical reports to:
Social Security Administration
ATTN: OIO-CDDM
P.O. Box 17708
Baltimore, MD 21235-7708
Medicare Part B CMS-40B If not drawing Social Security retirement benefits, submit Birth Certificate and DD Form 214 Mail to:
Social Security Administration
Office of International Operations
ATTN:  BET
P.O. Box 17769
Baltimore, MD 21235-7769
Widow's Benefits SSA-21, SSA-10 See Korea Casualty for supporting documents and  instructions  
Lump-Sum Death Benefit SSA-8 See Korea Casualty for supporting documents and instructions  
Benefits Estimate SSA-7004 None Mail to:
Social Security Administration
Wilkes Barre Data Operations Center
P.O. Box 7004
Wilkes Barre, PA 18767-7004
Notes:
*   Supporting documents must be originals or copies notarized by U.S. Embassy.  If you send originals, you can request that they be returned.  However, the RAO recommends that originals be submitted to the U.S. Embassy to obtain notarized copies.  This can be done through the RAO.  (Copies notarized by a military legal office are not acceptable.)
** Only one SSA-21 must be submitted with a package, as long as the package contains applications from family members of the worker on whose work record the benefits are being requested.

 

Applying for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
Type of Application Form Supporting Documents Comments
CRSC DD Form 8260 Award of Purple Heart for disabilities of 10% or greater; medical and other records showing combat-related nature of disabilities Check briefing here for an overview of CRSC eligibility.  Read the instructions on the form carefully.  Mail to your service address included on the form.
Supporting Documents Standard Form 180 Use this form either in standard (complete by hand) or (computer) fillable format to request supporting medical and personnel records to support CRSC claim. Mail to address on the form.  To get quicker results, apply on-line at http://vetrecs.archives.gov.

 

 

Applying for VA Benefits from Korea
Type of Application VA Form Supporting Documents Comments
Disability Compensation 21-526, 21-2545 DD Form 214, medical records and/or other evidence of disability showing service connection Instructions are included with form.  Mail completed form and any supporting documents to:
VA Regional Office
ATTN: Foreign Unit
1120 Vermont Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20421-1111
Upgrade of Disability Rating (increased %) 21-4138, 21-2545 Medical evidence showing that condition of disability has worsened or onset of other conditions as a result of disability Same as above.
Medical Examination 21-2545 Submitted when requested by VA, or with other documents for initial disability rating or rating upgrade Same as above.
Education Enrollment 22-1990 DD Form 214 if veteran does not already have a VA file Mail to Eastern Region office at address shown on the form.
Home Loan Certificate Request 26-1880 (fillable) None Home loan certificate cannot be used for home located in Korea.  Mail to Washington, DC address shown above.

 

Updating Your Beneficiary Designation
Organization Form to Use Mailing Address
Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) SGLV Form 8721 Instructions for completing the form are included.  Mailing address included.
Military Retired Pay Arrears of Pay DFAS-CL 5890/2 Mail completed form to:
DFAS Military Retired Pay
P.O. Box 7130
London, KY 40742-7130

Annotate "BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION" in the lower left corner of the envelope
Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) SF 2808 (fillable) Mail completed form to:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
P.O. Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017-0045
Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) SF 3102 (fillable) Mail completed form to:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
Federal Employees Retirement System
P.O. Box 200
Boyers, PA 16017-0200