United States: Information on the social security card, including to whom it is issued, whether a particular status is required to obtain one, whether it confers any rights or privileges and on whether an individual with visitor status can be issued with one
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | USA29067.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, United States: Information on the social security card, including to whom it is issued, whether a particular status is required to obtain one, whether it confers any rights or privileges and on whether an individual with visitor status can be issued with one, 1 March 1998, USA29067.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab6a8.html [accessed 26 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information is taken from the attached February 1998 brochure entitled Social Security: Your Number that was faxed to the Research Directorate by the Office of International Operations, Social Security Administration (SSA) in Baltimore, Maryland. The SSA issues three types of social security cards: (1) the most common type, which provides the individual's name and social security card number, permits the person to "work without restriction." The SSA issues it to US citizens and "people lawfully admitted to the United States with permanent work authorization;" (2) the second type bears "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT" and is issued by SSA to "people from other countries lawfully admitted to the United States without work authorization from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), but who need a number because of a federal law requiring a Social Security number, such as to get a federal benefit or to enlist in the U.S. military;" (3) the third type bears "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION" and is issued by SSA to "people lawfully admitted to the United States on a temporary basis with INS authorization to work" (Feb. 1998 4-5).
According to this brochure, in order to obtain an original social security card, one must provide documents that show one's identity, age, and citizenship or lawful alien status (ibid., 9). This brochure also provides information on how to replace a lost or stolen social security card.
According to the attached April 1997 SSA brochure entitled Social Security: A 'Snapshot,' the five "major categories of benefits paid for through your Social Security taxes" are retirement, disability, family benefits, survivors, and Medicare. Please consult this attachment for more detailed information on each of these benefits.
Please find attached a copy of an application form for a Social Security Card and instruction sheet that was downloaded from the Internet from the SSA Webpage at
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Social Security Administration (SSA). February 1998. Social Security: Your Number. (SSA Publication No. 05-10002). Faxed to Research Directorate by the Office of International Operations, SSA, Baltimore, MD.
_____. April 1997. Social Security: A 'Snapshot'. (SSA Publication No. 05-10006). [Internet] [Accessed 18 Mar. 1998]
Attachments
Social Security Administration (SSA). February 1998. Social Security: Your Number. (SSA Publication No. 05-10002). Faxed to Research Directorate by the Office of International Operations, SSA, Baltimore, MD.
_____. April 1997. Social Security: A 'Snapshot'. (SSA Publication No. 05-10006). [Internet] [Accessed 18 Mar. 1998]
_____. n.d. Application for a Social Security Card. [Internet] [Accessed 19 Mar. 1998]
