Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) letter explained in English
Social Security benefits office. Pays pensions, sick-leave and birth benefits, and the minimum income (ingreso mínimo vital).
Letters you may get
- Resolución — a decision on your pension or benefit
- Requerimiento — they need documents, for example for the ingreso mínimo vital
- Citación a reconocimiento médico — a medical check, for example during sick leave
- Cobro indebido — they want benefit money back
What to do
- Before you can go to court about an INSS decision, you must first file a reclamación previa — usually within 30 days.
- Find the deadline. Look for “plazo”, “hasta el”, “días hábiles”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“recurso de reposición”, “reclamación económico-administrativa”, “recurso de alzada”, “reclamación previa”, “alegaciones”, “oposición”, “recurso”). See the template.
Words you may see
- Requerimiento
- Formal request to send documents, give information or pay.
- Reclamación previa
- A first complaint to the office, for example Social Security, that you must file before you can go to court.
- Resolución
- Official decision.
- Cobro indebido
- Money you got but weren’t entitled to. They will ask for it back.
Questions
What is the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS)?
Social Security benefits office. Pays pensions, sick-leave and birth benefits, and the minimum income (ingreso mínimo vital).
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “plazo”, “hasta el”, “días hábiles” — they mark the deadline. In Spain, deadlines usually count from the day after the letter is delivered (notificación). A paper letter is delivered on the day you receive it; an electronic one when you open it, or 10 calendar days after it was made available. We estimate 3 days for post — use the real date if you know it. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“recurso de reposición”, “reclamación económico-administrativa”, “recurso de alzada”, “reclamación previa”, “alegaciones”, “oposición”, “recurso”).
Can I read a Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Spanish. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Spain
Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) · Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) · Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE) · Oficina de Extranjería / Policía Nacional · Ayuntamiento · Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) · Organismo de recaudación / Diputación · Agencia tributaria autonómica