What this letter is
“Seguridad Social” (Social Security) covers several bodies. The two that write most often are the Tesorería General (TGSS) (General Treasury), which collects contributions, and the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) (National Social Security Institute), which pays pensions and benefits. A letter from Social Security can be good news, like a pension being granted, or a demand for money. This page helps you work out which one you have and where to go next.
How to read it: the key parts
| What you see on the letter | What it means |
|---|---|
| Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social / URE (General Treasury / enforcement collection unit) | Contributions, debts or seizures. If it says URE, forced collection has already started. |
| Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (National Social Security Institute) | Pensions, incapacity, birth and childcare, IMV or overpayments. |
| Asunto (subject: Reclamación de deuda, Providencia de apremio, Resolución, Regularización, Cobro indebido, Requerimiento) | The type of letter and what they’re asking of you. |
| Nº de expediente / NAF / CCC (case number / Social Security number / contribution account code) | Your reference or affiliation number. |
| CSV (código seguro de verificación) (secure verification code) | Used to check on the portal that the letter is genuine. |
| Importe (amount) | What you owe, what you’re being paid or what is being claimed from you. |
| Plazo (deadline) | Until when to pay, object or provide documents. |
| Pie de recursos (appeals note) | Recurso de alzada (TGSS) or reclamación previa (INSS). |
What deadline you have
It depends on the type of letter:
| Letter | Deadline | Where to go next |
|---|---|---|
| Reclamación de deuda (debt claim, TGSS) | Until the 5th or 20th of the following month | Social Security debt |
| Providencia de apremio (enforcement notice, TGSS) | 15 calendar days | Social Security debt |
| Diligencia de embargo (seizure order) | See the letter | Seizure order |
| Regularización de autónomos (self-employed adjustment) | Until the last day of the following month | Contribution adjustment |
| Resolución sobre IMV (minimum income decision) | 30 days to make a claim | IMV letter |
| Cobro indebido del INSS (INSS overpayment) | 15 days to object; 30 to pay | This page |
| Resolución de pensión o prestación (pension or benefit decision) | 30 days for a prior claim | This page |
Self-employed workers and companies receive these letters electronically. If you don’t open them within 10 calendar days, they are treated as notified.
What you can do
| Option | When it makes sense | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | If the debt or overpayment is correct | It’s closed with no further surcharges. |
| Defer or accept deductions | If you can’t pay all at once | You pay in instalments or it’s deducted from your benefit. |
| Object (alegar) | If they give you a hearing period and there’s an error | They consider it before deciding. |
| Recurso de alzada / reclamación previa (appeal / prior claim) | If you disagree with the decision | They review your case; after that, the courts. |
| Provide documents | If they ask for them | Your case moves forward. |
| Do nothing | Only if the letter is just informative | Otherwise, surcharges, seizures or losing the benefit. |
What happens if you do nothing
- An unpaid debt grows with recargos (surcharges) of 10 % to 35 % plus interest, and can end in an embargo (seizure).
- A benefit decision you don’t challenge in time becomes firme (final).
- If you don’t provide the documents requested, they may close your application or suspend payment.
- An unpaid overpayment goes to the Tesorería (Treasury) for forced collection.
Common mistakes
- Thinking every letter is about a debt. Many are informative or good news.
- Mixing up the TGSS and the INSS and filing the wrong appeal.
- Not checking electronic notifications when you’re self-employed.
- Missing the 30-day deadline for the prior claim.
- Trusting an SMS or email with a payment link: always check on the portal.
How to respond, step by step
- Identify who signs it and the subject.
- Open the notification on the Social Security online portal or in DEHú, with Cl@ve, a certificate or DNIe. Check the CSV.
- Find the deadline and the appeals note.
- To pay Treasury debts, use Import@ss or the payment document in the letter.
- To object or make a claim, use the portal’s electronic registry, addressed to the body that signs the letter. Without digital ID, book an appointment at a service centre (CAISS or a TGSS office).
- Keep all your receipts.
Cartamiga tip: before you panic, look at who signs it and the subject. In two minutes you’ll know whether it’s a debt, a benefit or a simple notice, and what deadline you have.