Social Security Card

[Imzadi]

I'm not sure what they do with the info - my guess is it's just left over from when insurance usually used your SSN, but no one has ever cared that I don't provide it. Here's hoping I don't end up in an unidentified grave someday.

We'll come identify you.


. . . Only, your grave will be named "DopeyDame."

 

[Imzadi]

Your i-9 is intended to prove that you are legally allowed to work in the US, not that you are a citizen. Your SSN proves only that - that you are legally allowed to work here. Green card holders and other non-citizen immigrants have SSNs, and they aren't citizens.

I thought green card holders have green card numbers, which are different. Same with legal aliens. They have different numbers to show their status.

 

[bcla]

I thought green card holders have green card numbers, which are different. Same with legal aliens. They have different numbers to show their status.

I believe the reference is that a green card holder is by definition someone eligible for an unrestricted SSN card. The numbers aren't the same of course. However, I knew at least one person who had a green card since childhood but didn't get a social security number until perhaps age 16. When my kid was born and we applied for a birth certificate, the health department automatically requested an SSN (and a card) be assigned, so we never had to separately apply. I believe this is more common these days because the SSN is needed to claim a dependent on taxes.

Social security numbers don't really have any significance to legal status though. There used to be number where the first 3 digits were considered an "area number" assigned geographically like a phone area code depending on the applicant's mailing address. That geographic assignment ended in 2011. But other than that, the Social Security Administration assigned them out of a pool of numbers for everyone regardless of being a US citizen, permanent resident, temporary visa holder, ineligible to work, etc. People who change status (like H-1B to permanent resident, naturalization, etc) will keep their SSN, although they might get an updated card if it no longer requires a separate employment authorization.

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/socialsecurity.html

 

[goofyernmost]

I used to do it, but that was decades ago. Everyone strongly suggests against it - especially the SSA.

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/
You need a Social Security number to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and get some other government services. But you don't often need to show your Social Security card. Do not carry your card with you. Keep it in a safe place with your other important papers.​

It used to be common to use the SSN as an identification number for something totally unrelated, since it was a unique number that most people had and could remember. I remember one college ID that used my SSN as the student ID number, but that was a while ago. Some states apparently used it as their driver license or state ID number.

You were issued two originally. Store the spare and carry the original. (actually they are both originals) I cannot tell you how many times in my life I have been asked to let them see it. Mostly job related. But, it was handy that I had it with me. But, I try and avoid hassles and having to go back and dig it out, is a hassle, so I carry one with me. Everyone else is free to do whatever you want. This is what I do and why I do it.

 

[bcla]

You were issued two originally. Store the spare and carry the original. (actually they are both originals) I cannot tell you how many times in my life I have been asked to let them see it. Mostly job related. But, it was handy that I had it with me. But, I try and avoid hassles and having to go back and dig it out, is a hassle, so I carry one with me. Everyone else is free to do whatever you want. This is what I do and why I do it.

Really? I only have one, and I keep it in a safe place since I can't really think of any situation where I might need it on short notice.

If I need to prove my employment eligibility, I have a valid passport card. An SSN card is made of uncoated paper and is considered tampered if laminated. From a few years of carrying it around mine was already looking pretty ragged, although it's still intact. I don't think it's a good idea to carry one around, and every recommendation I've heard is to not carry it.

 

[goofyernmost]

Really? I only have one, and I keep it in a safe place since I can't really think of any situation where I might need it on short notice.

If I need to prove my employment eligibility, I have a valid passport card. An SSN card is made of uncoated paper and is considered tampered if laminated. From a few years of carrying it around mine was already looking pretty ragged, although it's still intact. I don't think it's a good idea to carry one around, and every recommendation I've heard is to not carry it.

Yea, I know about the lamination, but, I did it anyway back in 1965. (They weren't issued at birth back then) No one has ever been concerned about the lamination because it is old enough looking to be considered legit. Perhaps back then they issued two and don't anymore, I don't know... as I said I have two and I still have both so it hasn't been an issue for me. I will go with all the more recent ones I guess. I still think that if you have a SS card with you it shows that you are registered with the Government and if it matches other ID it would make for a more easily identified and legal means of seeing what is happening for law enforcement officials. Maybe not.. at 70 years old, it really isn't much of a problem for me either way.

 

[tvguy]

To confirm identity for a client that is not known to the preparer, two pieces of identification is customarily requested, Social Security Card and Drivers License. There are support documents such as W-2's which are fraudulent, so just having a social security number on those documents is no proof of identification.

Okay. After 40+ years as being a client, I think I am known to him. And I'm old enough that mine says "Not for Identification" on it.

 

[gotomu212]

Yea, I know about the lamination, but, I did it anyway back in 1965. (They weren't issued at birth back then) No one has ever been concerned about the lamination because it is old enough looking to be considered legit. Perhaps back then they issued two and don't anymore, I don't know... as I said I have two and I still have both so it hasn't been an issue for me. I will go with all the more recent ones I guess. I still think that if you have a SS card with you it shows that you are registered with the Government and if it matches other ID it would make for a more easily identified and legal means of seeing what is happening for law enforcement officials. Maybe not.. at 70 years old, it really isn't much of a problem for me either way.

A SS card by itself has nothing to identify it as yours. I can pick up my kids card, neighbors card, steal a card, and claim it is me. So from a carry it around as valid law enforcement ID purposes it’s worthless. They want your photo ID and can use that to figure out what they need. Not having. A photo ID as an adult is going to be the big red flag.

In addition SS cards don’t have an expiration date so those that overstay Visas would be in the country illegally but would have a valid SS card. Just showing a card isn’t going to help with DHS or any law enforcement. Again they’re going to want your official governments photo ID (passport, drivers license, etc).

However carrying it around with you is dangerous since your name, DOB, and a valid SS number helps pretty much anyone open credit in your name. If you were to lose your wallet you could be in for a horrible stolen identity case (and it’s so much worse than just having a credit card stolen).

 

[bcla]

Yea, I know about the lamination, but, I did it anyway back in 1965. (They weren't issued at birth back then) No one has ever been concerned about the lamination because it is old enough looking to be considered legit. Perhaps back then they issued two and don't anymore, I don't know... as I said I have two and I still have both so it hasn't been an issue for me. I will go with all the more recent ones I guess. I still think that if you have a SS card with you it shows that you are registered with the Government and if it matches other ID it would make for a more easily identified and legal means of seeing what is happening for law enforcement officials. Maybe not.. at 70 years old, it really isn't much of a problem for me either way.

I've been reading comments from people who claimed to work for the Social Security Administration. Apparently standard operating procedure when a laminated SSN card was presented to the SSA was to confiscate it, shred it, and issue a replacement. Yours might be before they had anti-counterfeiting measures starting in 1983. Mine had all these random dots on the surface. I got mine (just one) in the mid-80s when I was looking to get a summer job in HS. I haven't gotten a replacement ever. My kid's SSN card hasn't even been torn from the sheet.

https://www.ssa.gov/history/reports/ssnreportc3.html

Maybe it goes back to my days collecting comic books, but I'd at least recommend protecting one in a polyester (Mylar) sleeve where it could be removed and inspected if it needed to be authenticated. I guess the most common stock size close to an SSN card would be for modern baseball cards.

 

[bcla]

In addition SS cards don’t have an expiration date so those that overstay Visas would be in the country illegally but would have a valid SS card. Just showing a card isn’t going to help with DHS or any law enforcement. Again they’re going to want your official governments photo ID (passport, drivers license, etc).

Not necessarily. Someone with an H-1B or other "temporary" visa status allowing work would initially be issued a limited SSN card currently marked "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION". "INS" used to be where it now says "DHS". There are also one issued to people such as dependents who aren't authorized to work ("NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT") but where it might be needed for tax purposes.

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm

Earlier I linked to the photo of one of the employment authorization cards. These are generally limited in duration and need to be renewed every few years. However, even someone with one of these wouldn't need to produce that SSN card. If you read the I-9, all they would need is some sort of photo ID (driver license, state ID, but not a foreign passport) and that employment authorization card.

 

[goofyernmost]

I've been reading comments from people who claimed to work for the Social Security Administration. Apparently standard operating procedure when a laminated SSN card was presented to the SSA was to confiscate it, shred it, and issue a replacement. Yours might be before they had anti-counterfeiting measures starting in 1983. Mine had all these random dots on the surface. I got mine (just one) in the mid-80s when I was looking to get a summer job in HS. I haven't gotten a replacement ever. My kid's SSN card hasn't even been torn from the sheet.

https://www.ssa.gov/history/reports/ssnreportc3.html

Maybe it goes back to my days collecting comic books, but I'd at least recommend protecting one in a polyester (Mylar) sleeve where it could be removed and inspected if it needed to be authenticated. I guess the most common stock size close to an SSN card would be for modern baseball cards.

I'm not sure why protecting it would be a problem. Even plain one can be easily counterfeited, I'd say more easily then mine can be that shows signs of age, but is still in one piece. I know it has saved me lots of times from having to dig out my extra one and everyone, in my lifetime, has accepted it as valid. I know it isn't an ID which is why it is useless without the photo ID. I was in the printing/publishing for a number of years and I could knock out a fake SS card in seconds if I had wanted too, all it contains is the Name, SS# and signature line and a simple framing art work.

I would be well into my second one now after 52 years of sitting in my wallet without the lamination. I knew when I laminated it that I wasn't supposed to do that, but, I was a bit of a rebel back then. Give me a good reason I will listen and follow directions, come up with a shaky, at best, rule with no explanation and I was liable to do the opposite. On the plus side I have managed to avoid jail time for over 70 years now.

 

[goofyernmost]

A SS card by itself has nothing to identify it as yours. I can pick up my kids card, neighbors card, steal a card, and claim it is me. So from a carry it around as valid law enforcement ID purposes it’s worthless. They want your photo ID and can use that to figure out what they need. Not having. A photo ID as an adult is going to be the big red flag.

In addition SS cards don’t have an expiration date so those that overstay Visas would be in the country illegally but would have a valid SS card. Just showing a card isn’t going to help with DHS or any law enforcement. Again they’re going to want your official governments photo ID (passport, drivers license, etc).

However carrying it around with you is dangerous since your name, DOB, and a valid SS number helps pretty much anyone open credit in your name. If you were to lose your wallet you could be in for a horrible stolen identity case (and it’s so much worse than just having a credit card stolen).

You're right, it isn't an ID. However, coupled with a photo ID, it can instantly connect the name, signature and facial ID with a connection to the government. It still has to be verified but, it makes the procedure a little less involved. When I went into the service in the late 60's we had separate military ID#, they later figured out what a waste of time that was and started using the SS# as the military ID. My military issued one was #11750809... it was forced into some isolated cavity in my brain and 50 years later with absolutely no use at all, it is something that hasn't been covered up by other things like baseball scores and I still remember it. Like my first parking location at MK in 1983... Goofy 21!

 

[smiths02]

You were issued two originally. Store the spare and carry the original. (actually they are both originals) I cannot tell you how many times in my life I have been asked to let them see it. Mostly job related. But, it was handy that I had it with me. But, I try and avoid hassles and having to go back and dig it out, is a hassle, so I carry one with me. Everyone else is free to do whatever you want. This is what I do and why I do it.

Yea, I know about the lamination, but, I did it anyway back in 1965. (They weren't issued at birth back then) No one has ever been concerned about the lamination because it is old enough looking to be considered legit. Perhaps back then they issued two and don't anymore, I don't know... as I said I have two and I still have both so it hasn't been an issue for me. I will go with all the more recent ones I guess. I still think that if you have a SS card with you it shows that you are registered with the Government and if it matches other ID it would make for a more easily identified and legal means of seeing what is happening for law enforcement officials. Maybe not.. at 70 years old, it really isn't much of a problem for me either way.

They definitely do not issue two anymore. I have three children 12, 5, and 5. They all received one card each.

I also only got one when I changed my name (married) about 15 years ago.

 

[DopeyDame]

I thought green card holders have green card numbers, which are different. Same with legal aliens. They have different numbers to show their status.

Green card holders have A-numbers that's on their green card (which isn't actually green anymore, but whatever...)
But they can also apply for and get an SSN and accompanying card and there isn't anything on it that looks any different from a citizen's card.
In the adoption world it's actually a huge PITA, because many kids who are adopted internationally initially come in as permanent residents, not citizens. And when the state department changes their legal status, they don't forward that to the SSA, so there's a whole separate process to make sure the SSA has them marked as citizens in their system. When the system is changed, no new card is issued or anything.
All of which is to say, there's nothing inherent in a permanent resident's SSN card that's any different from a natural born citizens card.

 

[DopeyDame]

We'll come identify you.


. . . Only, your grave will be named "DopeyDame."

I knew my Dis friends would come through for me!

 

[rinnythepooh]

I lost mine when I moved 6 years ago. Didn't seem like a big deal but now PA is starting the Real ID Driver's License and one thing they need is the SS card. So I have to get a replacement.

I also heard that to get the Real ID drivers license you must have your SS card. We are in AZ.

 

[bcla]

Green card holders have A-numbers that's on their green card (which isn't actually green anymore, but whatever...)
But they can also apply for and get an SSN and accompanying card and there isn't anything on it that looks any different from a citizen's card.
In the adoption world it's actually a huge PITA, because many kids who are adopted internationally initially come in as permanent residents, not citizens. And when the state department changes their legal status, they don't forward that to the SSA, so there's a whole separate process to make sure the SSA has them marked as citizens in their system. When the system is changed, no new card is issued or anything.
All of which is to say, there's nothing inherent in a permanent resident's SSN card that's any different from a natural born citizens card.

Sure. I'm not even that sure if an international adoption requires the I-551 status at all. Legally if one is a minor child of a US citizen and physically present in the United States, they're automatically entitled to US citizenship. Doesn't matter if they're adopted by US citizens or the parents become naturalized.

And green cards are more or less green again.

 

[gotomu212]

Not necessarily. Someone with an H-1B or other "temporary" visa status allowing work would initially be issued a limited SSN card currently marked "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION". "INS" used to be where it now says "DHS". There are also one issued to people such as dependents who aren't authorized to work ("NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT") but where it might be needed for tax purposes.

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm

Earlier I linked to the photo of one of the employment authorization cards. These are generally limited in duration and need to be renewed every few years. However, even someone with one of these wouldn't need to produce that SSN card. If you read the I-9, all they would need is some sort of photo ID (driver license, state ID, but not a foreign passport) and that employment authorization card.

That may be true for some, but all of our au pairs were in the country on limited 1 year visas and all of them received standard SS cards that look exactly like a normal SS that US citizens receive. Had any of the, overstayed their program they would still have a SS card but that doesn’t prove their right to be in country (what my post was addressing)

 

[gotomu212]

You're right, it isn't an ID. However, coupled with a photo ID, it can instantly connect the name, signature and facial ID with a connection to the government. It still has to be verified but, it makes the procedure a little less involved. When I went into the service in the late 60's we had separate military ID#, they later figured out what a waste of time that was and started using the SS# as the military ID. My military issued one was #11750809... it was forced into some isolated cavity in my brain and 50 years later with absolutely no use at all, it is something that hasn't been covered up by other things like baseball scores and I still remember it. Like my first parking location at MK in 1983... Goofy 21!

Well the drivers license by itself immediately connects the person “to the government”. The SS card adds nothing to that process.

 

[bcla]

That may be true for some, but all of our au pairs were in the country on limited 1 year visas and all of them received standard SS cards that look exactly like a normal SS that US citizens receive. Had any of the, overstayed their program they would still have a SS card but that doesn’t prove their right to be in country (what my post was addressing)

They're not supposed to. However, getting an SSN and a card is done separately from getting all the other authorization. It wouldn't surprise me if someone on a temporary status got one anyways.

Here's a au pair service that says the SSN card should be specially marked.

https://kdimas.aupairnews.com/2013/10/01/faq-how-does-an-au-pair-apply-for-a-social-security-number/
The SSA will then verify your documents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before it can assign a SSN to you. After receiving the verification from DHS, a SSN will be issued to you and the Social Security card (containing the assigned SSN that is “Valid for Work Only With DHS Authorization”) will be mailed to the address you provided on the application (Form SS-5). Most of the time, documents can be verified quickly with DHS, online. If the documents cannot be verified online, it may take DHS several weeks to respond to the request.​