Some special numbers are never allocated: Until 2011, the SSA published the last group number used for each area number. As a US citizen, you unfortunately cannot file a W7 for an ITIN and will need to apply for a Social Security number. Where a person has a demonstrable religious objection to a number (such as certain Christians being averse to the number. Suze Orman on Why Creating an Account is Important. [20][21] The card on which an SSN is issued is still not suitable for primary identification as it has no photograph, no physical description, and no birth date. It eliminated the geographical significance of the first three digits of the SSN, referred to as the area number, by no longer allocating specific numbers by state for assignment to individuals. A taxpayer who is not eligible to have a Social Security number must obtain an alternative Taxpayer Identification Number. We also use it to monitor your record once you start getting benefits. Social Security Number Basics. And now it has gone … However, the number was found to be in use by 12 individuals as late as 1977. ... obtained a U.S. Visa that allows you to work in the U.S. you must apply for a Social Security Card after you enter the United States of America. Dependents in F-2 status are not eligible for a Social Security number. It is indispensable on passport applications, tax returns, financial account reporting and numerous other business forms. [42], More recently, Todd Davis distributed his SSN in advertisements for his company's LifeLock identity theft protection service, which allowed his identity to be stolen over a dozen times.[43][44]. If you wait to apply for a number at a Social Security office, there may be delays while SSA verifies your child’s birth certificate. For example, you can get a social security number by showing temporary work status on your form I-94. [40] However, there have been instances where multiple individuals have been inadvertently assigned the same Social Security number.[41]. LEARN § 405(c)(2)(A)] shall, except as shall otherwise be specified under regulations of the Secretary [of the Treasury or his delegate], be used as the identifying number for such individual for purposes of this title [the Internal Revenue Code, title 26 of the United States Code]."[22]. Get answers to frequently asked questions about Social Security. You are responsible for protecting your SIN. [32] SSN randomization affected the SSN assignment process in the following ways: Because Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) are issued by the IRS, they were not affected by this SSA change. Thus, the area number did not necessarily represent the state of residence of the applicant regardless of whether the card was issued prior to, or after, 1973. A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and get some other government services. Are a U.S. citizen age 18 or older with a U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses); Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card; and. Do not pay for something we will give you free. [17] Since nearly everyone in the United States now has an SSN, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message was removed.[18]. Your DSO will share important information regarding the regulations and requirements for F and M students, and confirm whether you are eligible to apply for an SSN. However, since the Social Security numbers were not assigned in chronological order, Sweeney did not receive the lowest Social Security number, 001-01-0001. Beginning in June 2011, the DOD began removing the Social Security number from military identification cards. Learn how to protect yourself and report scams. 2. [31] The number is divided into three parts: the first three digits, known as the area number because they were formerly assigned by geographical region; the middle two digits, known as the group number; and the final four digits, known as the serial number. If you plan to work in the U.S., or get a driver’s license, you generally need to have a Social Security Number. You may apply at the nearest Social Security Office. The new SSN card design utilizes both covert and overt security features created by the SSA and GPO design teams. [39] Since group numbers were allocated in a regular pattern, it was possible to identify an unissued SSN that contained an invalid group number. In cases where the person has been a victim of domestic violence or harassment, and there is a clear need to change their number for their personal safety. In the United States, a Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. Many citizens and privacy advocates are concerned about the disclosure and processing of Social Security numbers. When an individual or company purchases goods from an overseas supplier, CBP considers … It eliminated the significance of the highest group number assigned for each area number, and, as a result, the High Group List is frozen in time and can be used for validation of only those SSNs issued prior to the randomization implementation date. The Internal Revenue Code also provides, when required by regulations prescribed by the secretary of the treasury or their delegate: According to U.S. Treasury regulations, any person who, after October 31, 1962, works as an employee for wages subject to Social Security taxes, Medicare taxes, or U.S. federal income tax withholdings is required to apply for "an account number" using Form SS-5.[24]. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a US federal government agency tasked with administering a range of social welfare and insurance programs – things like unemployment benefits and retiree payments. [35] This should not be confused with Tax Identification Numbers (TINs), which include additional area numbers.[36]. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. A person can request a new Social Security number, but only under certain conditions;[29]. As the areas assigned to a locality were exhausted, new areas from the pool were assigned, so some states had noncontiguous groups of numbers. Have a driver’s license or state-issued identification card from one of the many participating states or the District of Columbia. However, if you've misplaced your Social Security card and don't remember your number, you may be able to find it on another document. When goods enter the United States from overseas, it is considered an importation and must be cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A sample card, used for display purposes, was placed in each wallet, which was sold by Woolworth and other department stores across the country; the wallet manufacturer's vice president and treasurer Douglas Patterson used the actual SSN of his secretary, Hilda Schrader Whitcher. It is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration. That distinction belongs to Grace D. Owen of Concord, New Hampshire. The last four digits of your Social Security ...", "RM 10201.035 Invalid Social Security Numbers (SSNs)", "High Group List And Other Ways To Determine If An SSN Is Valid", "Q20: Are Social Security numbers reused after a person dies? If you don’t have a my Social Security account, you can create one today. Tax return preparers must obtain and use a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) to include on their client's tax returns (as part of signature requirements). Such cards cannot be used as proof of work authorization, and are not acceptable as a List C document on the I-9 form. FAQs. This database picks up where the SSDI leaves off, with details such as birth date and parents’ names extracted from information filed with the Social Security Administration through the application or claims process. Over time, the US Social Security Number (SSN) has evolved from merely the number of your account for retirement savings to something akin to a single national identification number that follows you throughout your US administrative life. In the United States, a Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents under section 205(c)(2) of the Social Security Act, codified as 42 U.S.C. Beginning in 1973, when the SSA began assigning SSNs and issuing cards centrally from Baltimore, the area number was assigned based on the ZIP Code in the mailing address provided on the application for the original Social Security card. Keep in mind that in many cases, even if you lost your card, you may not need a replacement. Such cards are issued to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. Please read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page to learn about changes to Social Security number card requests during the COVID-19 pandemic. [16], Social Security cards printed from January 1946 until January 1972 expressly stated that people should not use the number and card for identification. Individuals residing in Canada who require social security services or have questions about SSA benefits must contact their nearest SSA field office in the United States. Scammers are pretending to be government employees. Social Security Number and Card – Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals. 401-26-1970. Now, The SSN has become a de facto national identification number for taxation and other purposes. [2], A Social Security number may be obtained by applying on Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card. Now numbers are assigned randomly, and fraudulent SSNs are not easily detectable with publicly available information. The Social Security number is a nine-digit number in the format "AAA-GG-SSSS". Talk with your DSO about working and training in the United States. Some businesses offer Social Security name changes or cards for a fee. If you plan to work, have an assistantship, or get a driver’s license, you must have a Social Security Number. Social Security numbers are also used as identification numbers for tax purposes. Although the original purpose for the number was for the Social Security Administration to track individuals, the Social Security numb… Steps for Obtaining a Social Security Number. this information to us. [3], Social Security numbers were first issued by the Social Security Administration in November 1935 as part of the New Deal Social Security program. 1. Exacerbating the problem of using the Social Security number as an identifier is the fact that the Social Security card contains no biometric identifiers of any sort, making it essentially impossible to tell whether a person using a certain SSN truly belongs to someone without relying on other documentation (which may itself have been falsely procured through use of the fraudulent SSN). an application, TAKE OR MAIL The primary purpose of an SSN is to centrally track a person’s earnings. The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9 digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits. Your nine-digit Social Security number is your first and continuous connection with Social Security. Make sure to bring your card with you to the U.S. The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration (SSA). To set up your account, go to: If you do not qualify to apply online for a card, please follow the instructions in the next section. Social Security is the best place to get information about Social Security. [2] Although some people do not have an SSN assigned to them, it is becoming increasingly difficult to engage in legitimate financial activities such as applying for a loan or a bank account without one. Many parents apply for their newborns to receive SSNs before they leave the hospital. The SSN is frequently used by those involved in identity theft, since it is interconnected with many other forms of identification, and because people asking for it treat it as an authenticator. Enrolling in and Using the E-Verify Online System for Employee Eligibility Access the website of … It says it has enough to last several generations without reuse or changing the number of digits. If your state appears on this list, please check back. The last four digits, which are serial numbers, "are the most important to protect" and they can "open credit in your name, steal your money" and more. To begin with, you must have a social security number in order to obtain a job. Prior to June 25, 2011, a valid SSN could not have an area number between 734 and 749, or above 772, the highest area number the Social Security Administration had allocated. "How many Americans' Social Security numbers were officially duplicated for Pacific islanders? Social Security numbers contain nine digits. Instead, a driver's license or state ID card is used as an identification for adults. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. One famous instance of this occurred in 1938 when the E. H. Ferree Company in Lockport, New York, decided to promote its product by showing how a Social Security card would fit into its wallets. Generate Another Fake Social Security Number The nine-digit Social Security Number is issued to citizens, permanent residents, temporary working residents and foreign citizens in the United States. [27] In accordance with §7213 of the 9/11 Commission Implementation Act of 2004 and 20 CFR 422.103, the number of replacement Social Security cards per person is generally limited to three per calendar year and ten in a lifetime. Important: All documents submitted must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, independent agency of the United States government, 9/11 Commission Implementation Act of 2004, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, "The Story of the Social Security Number", "Social Security Cards: De Facto National Identification", "The "First" Social Security Number; The Lowest Number", "Social Security Numbers Issued: A 20-Year Review", "A strategy for assembling samples of adult twin pairs in the United States", "Who Are the Ineligible EITC Recipients? Your Social Security number remains your first and continuous link with Social Security. Philippine Islands (under U.S. rule until 1946), This page was last edited on 16 January 2021, at 12:23. Social Security Administration. Social Security. [9] Before this act, parents claiming tax deductions were simply trusted not to lie about the number of children they supported. [34] Before SSN randomization took effect, they represented a straight numerical sequence of digits from 0001 to 9999 within the group. Applying for a Social Security number … Social Security numbers are issued to American citizens and foreign citizens who are approved to work in the United States. From April 2006 through August 2007, the SSA and Government Printing Office (GPO) employees were assigned to redesign the Social Security number card to the specifications of the Interagency Task Force created by the commissioner of Social Security in consultation with the secretary of Homeland Security. Where sequential numbers assigned to members of the same family are causing problems. Even before SSN randomization, the group numbers were not assigned consecutively within an area. Get a certified copy of a document showing a birth, marriage or divorce that took place in the United States. [15] Because of this, not every American is part of the Social Security program, and not everyone has a number. [5][6], Before 1986, people often did not obtain a Social Security number until the age of about 14,[7] since the numbers were used for income tracking purposes, and those under that age seldom had substantial income. A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and get some other government services. All it does is confirm that a particular number has been issued to a particular name. The Old Order Amish have fought to prevent universal Social Security by overturning rules such as a requirement to provide a Social Security number for a hunting license. They also administer the Supplemental Security Income program for the aged, blind, and disabled. The Social Security Administration has suggested that, if asked to provide his or her Social Security number, a citizen should ask which law requires its use. STEP #1 Visit the Social Security sign in page at www.ssa.gov. Employee, patient, student, and credit records are sometimes indexed by Social Security number. It helps us identify and accurately record your covered wages or self-employment earnings. "The Social Security Number was created in … Why is an overseas supplier requesting my social security number (SSN), tax identification number (EIN), importer or IRS number? Repeated numbers indicate that they have been transferred to another location or they're shared by more than one location. You can use a Social Security provides those services and more for free. Similarly, social security numbers are often valued information for hackers to gain in attacks such as social engineering attacks, where attackers try and manipulate people into disclosing private information. You should receive your Social Security card within 3 to 4 weeks after you arrive in the United States. [19] While the government cannot require an individual to disclose their SSN without a legal basis, companies may refuse to provide service to an individual who does not provide an SSN. In most cases, simply knowing your Social Security number is enough. It can be applying on Form SS-5, application for A Social Security Number Card. They will mail the card to the same U.S. mailing address where the Department of Homeland Security will send your green card. Prior to 1973, cards were issued in local Social Security offices around the country and the area number represented the office code where the card was issued. The Social Security Administration recommends that you wait ten days after arriving in the country to "make it easier for us to verify your Department of Homeland Security documents online, which will speed processing of your Social Security number application." Social Security Number. ", "A tale of two women: same birthday, same Social Security number, same big-data mess", "Social Security Cards Issued by Woolworth", "LifeLock CEO's Identity Stolen 13 Times", "LifeLock CEO said to be victim of identity theft 13 times", United States Social Security Death Index, Social Security Cards Issued by Woolworth, Complete list of area number groups from the Social Security Administration, Social Security Administration's FAQ for Social Security Numbers, Hearing on Removing Social Security Numbers from Medicare Cards, How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Security Card, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_Security_number&oldid=1000730656, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. For example, in the social engineering attack involving Hewlett-Packard, executives hired private investigators to manipulate phone companies into disclosing calling information and social security numbers of employees they suspected were leaking information to the press. It has issued over 450 million since the start of the program, and at a use rate of about 5.5 million per year. Social Security account to apply for a replacement Social Security card online if you: If your driver’s license or state-issued identification card was issued by one of the states listed below, this service is not yet available. The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent agency of the United States government. Congress has proposed federal laws that restrict the use of SSNs for identification and bans their use for a number of commercial purposes—e.g., rental applications.[26]. 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