Navigating the process of submitting evidence for Social Security and Veterans benefits can be a daunting task, especially for those living outside the United States.

 

In this blog post, we’ll break down the key information from § 404.706 and provide a step-by-step guide on where to give evidence, depending on your location.

 

1. Submitting Evidence within the United States: If you are located within the United States, evidence should be submitted to your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. You can find your nearest SSA office using the Social Security Office Locator tool (https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp).
2. Submitting Evidence in the Philippines: For those residing in the Philippines, evidence should be submitted to the Veterans Administration (VA) Regional Office. The VA maintains a Regional Office in Manila, Philippines, which handles claims and benefits for both U.S. veterans and their eligible dependents living in the Philippines. The contact information for the VA Regional Office in Manila is as follows:

Veterans Administration Regional Office

1501 Roxas Boulevard, 1302 Pasay City

Metro Manila, Philippines

Phone: +63-2-8555-0555

Email: IRIS.va.gov (Submit a question through the Inquiry Routing & Information System)

3. Submitting Evidence in Other Countries: If you are located in a country other than the United States or the Philippines, you should submit your evidence to a United States Foreign Service Office. The U.S. Department of State maintains a list of U.S. embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions around the world (https://www.usembassy.gov/). You can find the nearest U.S. Foreign Service Office by visiting the website and selecting your country of residence.

Example: Let’s imagine that John Doe, a U.S. citizen and military veteran, has been living in France for the past few years. He needs to submit evidence to support his claim for Social Security and Veterans benefits. Here’s how John would follow the step-by-step guide outlined in the blog post:

1. Since John is living in France, he needs to submit his evidence to a United States Foreign Service Office.
2. John visits the U.S. Department of State’s website (https://www.usembassy.gov/) to locate the nearest U.S. Foreign Service Office in France.
3. He finds that the U.S. Embassy in Paris is the closest U.S. Foreign Service Office to his residence.
4. John compiles all the necessary evidence, including his military service records, proof of residency, and any relevant medical documents.
5. He contacts the U.S. Embassy in Paris to inquire about the submission process and whether he needs to schedule an appointment or if he can simply mail the documents. The contact information for the U.S. Embassy in Paris is:

U.S. Embassy Paris 2 Avenue Gabriel 75008 Paris France Phone: +33 (0)1 43 12 22 22 Website: https://fr.usembassy.gov/

6. Following the guidance provided by the U.S. Embassy in Paris, John submits his evidence for Social Security and Veterans benefits.

By following these steps, John has successfully submitted his evidence to the appropriate office and can now wait for the review and processing of his claim.

Conclusion: Submitting evidence for Social Security and Veterans benefits is a crucial step in accessing the support you’re entitled to. By following this step-by-step guide based on § 404.706, you can ensure that your evidence is submitted to the appropriate office, streamlining the process and improving the chances of a favorable outcome.

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0706.htm