Federal Benefits Unit

The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) administers federal benefits programs from the following federal agencies:
• Social Security Administration
• Department of Veteran Affairs
• Office of Personnel Management
• Department of Labor
• Railroad Retirement Board

FBU Contact Information:
The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) is located at the American Consulate General in Frankfurt. If you have specific questions or need more information, the FBU is open to the public daily between the hours of 9:00 am and 12:00 pm.
Tel: 069 - 7535-2440
Fax: (+49) 069 - 749-352

Social Security Administration
The Federal Benefits Unit processes Social Security Administration claims for retirement, disability and survivor benefits, Social Security number applications, all post-entitlement activities affecting beneficiaries under the various programs, i.e., changes of address, issues involving direct deposit of SAA checks, nonreceipt of check allegations and death terminations.

If you would like information on how to apply for social security retirement benefits, or for instructions on how to replace, correct, or change your name on your Social Security Card, see the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. This site also has a downloadable application form, the (SS-5) and tells you what kind of identification you need to send along with your application form.

Department of Veteran Affairs
The Federal Benefits Unit handles Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) survivor claims, educational benefits, compensation and pension examinations, etc.
The Department of Veteran Affairs website offers the Federal Benefits Manual for Veterans and Dependents (2004), details of benefits available, and downloadable benefits forms.

Office of Personnel Management
The Office of Personnel Management website offers information for federal employee benefits such as retirement programs, thrift plans, and health insurance.

Department of Labor
The Department of Labor website offers information on benefits programs such as the Family and Medical Leave Act and workers' compensation programs, (Black Lung, FECA, Longshore).

Railroad Retirement Board
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for the nation's railroad workers and their families. The RRB also administers certain Social Security benefit payments and railroad workers' Medicare coverage.

Last updated: October 2005