Social Security Numbers for non-citizens

Extracted Attributes

• Format

  Nine-digit number

• Issuer

  Social Security Administration (SSA)

• Purpose

  Tracking individuals, taxation, de facto national identification, reporting wages, determining eligibility for Social Security benefits, working legally, receiving certain government services

• Legal Basis

  Section 205(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2))

• Not Required For

  Driver's license, school registration, private health insurance, school lunch programs, subsidized housing

• Associated Policy

  Enumeration Beyond Entry (EB) program

• Application Method

  Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card; can also be requested via Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

• Verification Program

  Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE Program)

• Eligibility (General)

  U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents

• Eligibility (Non-citizens)

  Generally, noncitizens authorized to work in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including lawful permanent residents, asylees, refugees, recipients of deferred action (e.g., DACA), and individuals with certain temporary non-immigrant status that provides for work authorization

• Alternative for Non-Wage Income (if ineligible for SSN)

  Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Timeline

• A podcast episode featuring Antonio Gracias and Ben Shapiro discussed the 'Enumeration Beyond Entry' (EB) program, a Trump Administration policy, alleging it led to a dramatic increase in Social Security Numbers for non-citizens and facilitated human trafficking and voter fraud. These claims were contrasted with historical data from the Heritage Foundation. (Source: Related Documents)

  Undated

Social Security number

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. § 405(c)(2). The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent agency of the United States government. Although the original purpose for the number was for the Social Security Administration to track individuals, the Social Security number has become a de facto national identification number for taxation and other purposes. A Social Security number may be obtained by applying on Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card.

Web Search Results

• [PDF] Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens

  If you don’t have access to the internet, we offer many automated services by telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, if you’re deaf or hard of hearing. [...] Generally, only noncitizens authorized to work in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can get a Social Security number. Social Security numbers are used to report a person’s wages to the government and to determine a person’s eligibility for Social Security benefits. You need a Social Security number to work, collect Social Security benefits, and receive other government services. [...] Lawfully admitted noncitizens can get many benefits and services without a Social Security number. You don’t need a number to get a driver’s license, register for school, get private health insurance, or apply for school lunch programs or subsidized housing. Some organizations use Social Security numbers to identify you in their records. Most, however, will identify you by some other means if you request it.

• [PDF] Frequently Asked Questions: - Social Security Numbers For Non ...

  Generally, only those noncitizens who are authorized to work in the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can get a Social Security number. These includes lawful permanent residents (LPRs), asylees and refugees, recipients of deferred action (including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)), and individuals with certain temporary non-immigrant status that provides for work authorization. As a general rule, any non-citizen with a valid Form I-766 Employment Authorization [...] A social security number is a unique nine-digit number assigned to individuals in the United States by the federal government as proof that they are eligible to work in this country. Social security numbers are used to report an individual’s wages to the government and to determine a person’s eligibility to collect Social Security benefits. The government agency in charge of issuing Social Security numbers is called the Social Security Administration (SSA). [...] Noncitizens need an SSN to work legally in the U.S. An SSN also helps the government keep track of your earnings and the benefits you can get upon retirement. An SSN may also be required to receive some government services. For example, students must have a valid SSN in order to be eligible for federal financial aid. However, there are other public benefits that noncitizens may access without an SSN. For example, the government cannot require an SSN from noncitizens who wish to register for

• [PDF] Social Security Numbers For Noncitizens

  Generally, only noncitizens authorized to work in the United. States by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can get an SSN. Employers use an SSN to report

• Obtaining a Social Security Number | Study in the States

  The Social Security Administration (SSA)") assigns nine-digit Social Security numbers (SSNs) to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and eligible nonimmigrant workers in the United States. SSA uses SSNs to report wages to the government, track Social Security benefits and for other identification purposes. Every F and M student who U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants employment authorization to needs an SSN. [...] SSA uses the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE Program is U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ web-based service that helps some agencies determine the immigration status of benefit applicants.</p>")) program to verify your nonimmigrant student status and determine if you are eligible for an SSN. You can use the SAVE Case Check to follow the progress of your SAVE verification check online; visit our Checking Your SAVE Case Status for more information. [...] Please note: If an F or M student (or dependent) is ineligible to receive an SSN, but receives non-wage income while in the United States (e.g., scholarships, grants, interest on stocks, gambling/lottery winnings), they must apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). For more information, please visit our What is an ITIN? resource page. Steps for Obtaining a Social Security Number --------------------------------------------

• [PDF] Apply for your Social Security Number While Applying for Your Work ...

  work legally in the United States (U.S.). That application is the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. If USCIS approves your application to work in the U.S. and you completed the section on the application to request an SSN card, then USCIS will send SSA the data we need to issue your SSN card. If you already have an SSN and you requested an SSN card on the I-765 application, we will [...] I-765 application, “Application for Employment Authorization”, you must visit a Social Security office to apply for your DRAFT 2 Social Security number and card after you receive your Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) from USCIS. When you visit an SSA office to apply for a Social Security card, please bring the following original documents with you (we do not accept photocopies or notarized documents):  Your Form I-766 to prove your immigration status and that you can work in the [...] SSN card within 2 weeks after we have everything we need to process your application, including verification of your immigration document with the USCIS. If we are unable to immediately verify your immigration document with the USCIS, it may take 2 additional weeks to receive your card. Your Information and Privacy Sections 205(c) and 702 of the Social Security Act authorize SSA to collect information to assign you a Social Security number (SSN) and issue you a Social Security card. The