August 15, 2024

How to get a Social Security card?

Rodrigo Rangel
Content Lead
, Félix
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The Social Security card It is the one issued by the Social Security Administration of the government of the United States, so that any citizen (regardless of whether they were born in the United States or abroad), can legally work in any company in this country.

Through the Social Security card The fact is that companies can report the income their employees receive to the government, apart from the fact that it is necessary to request credits and for other government procedures, so it is pertinent to know How to get a Social Security card?

Requirements for obtaining a Social Security Card

The requirements depend on whether the interested party is a citizen of the United States or is a foreigner, which we will explain below.

Requirements for U.S. citizens

Those interested in having a Social Security card and that they are citizens of United States, they first need to prove that they have citizenship, for which they must use valid documents, such as a birth certificate or a United States passport, as well as a driver's license or a state identification card.

Anyone asking for an original Social Security number for the first time, you must attend an interview conducted by an official of the Social Security, in which you must prove that you have never been assigned a number from this institution, indicating that you have lived outside of United States for a long time.

Another way for the person concerned to show that they have never had a Social Security number, It is by mentioning the schools you attended or by recording copies of your tax returns, with which you can make it clear that you have never had a Social Security number.

Requirements for foreign citizens

For foreign citizens, the requirements for obtaining a Social Security card are different.

The first thing they must prove is their immigration status through fully valid immigration documents from the U.S. government, such as Form I-551* (which refers to the card for permanent residence), which must be accompanied by a fully valid foreign passport.

In addition, you must submit I-766 EAD: This is a document that authorizes obtaining a job to be registered with Form I-94*, which contains the record of the immigrant's arrivals and departures in the United States, together with the stamp of admission to the United States within the current foreign passport.

If the interested party is a student and has an F-1 or M-1 visa, you must deliver the Form I-20, which is nothing more than your certificate of eligibility under the status of a student, who will be residing in the country temporarily.

For exchange visitors who carry the J-1 or J-2 visa, It's relevant That they have The form DS-2019, which demonstrates your eligibility for the U.S. government as an exchange visitor.

Another aspect of vital importance in this process is that the person concerned must prove their age, for which you will need your birth certificate abroad.

If you do not have it, you will have to use your foreign passport or a document issued by the Department of National Security for such purposes.

How do I know my Social Security number in the United States?

So that you can know the social security number in the United States, you can look it up on the card and if you have lost it, you can easily replace it.

This number is on other documents such as bank or tax returns, as well as on forms entered in Citizenship and Immigration Services, and in your employer's records, since that number is used to record the income earned from your work.

How long does it take for Social Security to arrive in the United States?

Jurisdictions or states have different processing times for this, ranging from 1 to 6 weeks, although it usually takes two weeks.

Benefits associated with the Social Security Card 

There are several benefits associated with the Social Security Card in the United States, which we will present below.

Retirement Income

Regardless of whether the interested party needs help deciding when to retire, or if they are ready to do so, they can calculate their benefits online, apply for retirement and check the status of their request.

And the thing is that Social Security generates retirement income for virtually all workers who reside in the United States. In addition, we provide Supplemental Security Income to certain people age 65 and older, with limited resources and income.

Payment of Disability Benefits

In case something unexpected happens, Social Security can pay disability benefits, those who are unable to work due to a critical medical condition lasting at least one year or that results in the death of the affected person.

Medicare Health Insurance

It's a health insurance for those who are at least 65 years old, although there may be exceptions for people of a younger age, as well as those with disabilities and for those who suffer from renal dysfunction.

For this purpose, there is a network of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which guarantees the provision of medical aid.

Financial benefits for survivors

If you lose a loved one, you can receive Social Security help through a financial contribution for surviving spouses and for those who are dependent on the worker.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

It's a financial support program for disabled children and adults, as well as for people over 65 with limited resources and income.

We have already seen The procedure for obtaining a Social Security card, as well as how to find out the number that is assigned to the beneficiary, the time that the membership is already effective and its various benefits.