The SSN or a Social Security Number is a 9 digit number provided to the citizens of United States of America in order to track their social security income. The Social Security Administration issues a social security income to the eligible citizens of the country on a monthly basis. The majority of the beneficiaries under social security programs are the retired seniors, disabled citizens and survivors in case of the death of head of household. The SSA is known to financially assist the citizens via Supplemental Social Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans’ Affairs (VA) benefits. The social security is funded by a portion of the income of the citizens during their employment age.
Initially started to track the monthly income, now the U.S. citizens require a SSN for tax purposes and gain government benefits and for many other purposes. The Social Security Number is written on a Social Security Card provided to the U.S. citizens. To get a new social security card or to replace one, a citizen is required to fill up the Form S-5 which we will discuss later in the post. Through this post, you will be able to gain insights on social security number and card including types of cards the SSA provides and the necessary documents that will be required to get an SSN. Continue reading the post, so that you cannot miss any updates.
What is Social Security Number & Card?
- The social security number was created in 1936 as part of The New Deal to assist the disabled citizens while providing disability benefits. It is a 9 digit number that is provided to all the citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents of the country. The 9 digit number is divided into 3 groups with each group serving for a specific purpose. For instance, the first three digits of the SSN is the area number which defines the state in which the SSN is issuing. However, a state can have more than one number like 001 to 003 for New Hampshire. In addition to it, the next group of two numbers is group number which ranges from 01 to 99. At last, the concluding four digits in a social security number is serial number which ascends from 0001 to 9999 with each group. It is to notify that the number 0000 is not used.
- The social security number is important for citizens living in the United States of America whether they are permanent resident of the country or temporary citizens living for specific purpose. The citizen can track their earnings and government benefits with the help of the SSN. On the other side, the SSA used the SSN to check the yearly income of an individual and the number of years they have worked in order to determine the average social security payment. Also, the employers ask for a SSN as per their hiring policy at the of people starting their employment career. Apart from it, the SSN can also be used for various purposes like to open a bank account, to apply for federal loan, to get a driving license or a passport, when enrolling in Medicare, etc.
Social Security Number and Card Quick Details
| Post title | Social Security Number and Card |
| Country | The USA |
| Department | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| Category | Finance |
| Beneficiaries | Retirees, disabled or survivor citizens |
| Year | 2024 |
| Official website | www.ssa.gov |
What are the Documents Required to Get a Social Security Number?
In order to get an SSN, the SSA will ask you for some mandatory documents that must be submitted by you. I have provided the required documents to get SSN in the points listed below:
- Citizenship: To provide an U.S. citizenship proof, the SSA will ask for a birth certificate or a passport.
- Age: For age verification, a person can submit birth certificate. In case, you do not have a birth certificate, then you can also submit a passport or U.S. hospital record of your birth.
- Identity: For providing an identity proof, a person must present his/her U.S. driving license or passport. If you do not have one of these, then you can present either one of the documents:
- Employee Identification Card
- School Identification Card
- Health Insurance Card (Medicare card will not be applicable)
- S. Military Identification Card
Social Security Card and Its Types?
The sole work of Social Security Card is to provide an official verification of the Social Security Number (SSN) assigned by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to the person whose name is on the card. The SSA provides three types of Social Security Cards which has the name along with the SSN of a citizen. Those who are not the U.S. citizens will have a work restriction on their respective cards. I have explained all the three types of cards in the following points:
- The first card in the list has a name and SSN on it which is provided to the citizens and permanent residents of the United States.
- The second Social Security Card also has a name along with the SSN of a candidate with a restriction. This card is assigned by the SSA to the citizens who are temporary residents of United States with DHS authorization. If you have a DHS authorization on your social security card, then you will require separate documents to prove that you are allowed to work in United States.
- The third card in the list also consists name and SSN of the person along with the restriction which is not valid for the employment. The SSA assign this card to the citizens who do not have a DHS authorization for work and need a social security card for other non-work reasons. Apart from this, in case of federal law requiring the card to provide a benefit, then SSA provides this card.
How to Replace or Get a New Social Security Card?
Nowadays, it is easier to apply for correction or a replacement in your social security card. Changes like your name or SSN can be made directly by visiting the official website of the SSA. I have provided the complete steps in the following points:
- First of all, learn all the documents that will be required for the process as mentioned earlier. Gather all the documents before filling up the application form.
- Then, visit the official website of SSA and you will find an application form there which is named as SS-5 (Social Security) form. Take a print of the form and fill up all the necessary details required.
- After filling up the form properly with all the necessary details, visit the local office of SSA and submit your application form along with all the required documents.
- The authorities will evaluate your form and documents.
You can easily apply for the Social Security Card Correction 2024 by following the steps mentioned above. It is advised that to apply for a replacement, you can follow the same steps too. For more information, visit the official website of SSA.
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As a Editor at Sass News Portal ,Lara skillfully combines her knowledge of political economy and personal finance to empower readers with crucial insights and answers to their most pressing questions. With her finely honed analytical skills and a commitment to providing accurate coverage of today’s pressing issues, Lara strives to engage readers across a wide range of topics.