How can I get a Social Security Number after migrating to the United States?

 Posted on July 10, 2020 in Immigration

The Social Security Administration is in charge of assigning Social Security Numbers to individuals. This document is crucial and its granted for purposes of identification and retirement benefits. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), hospitas, businesses, banks, schools, and other institutions use this number for identification purposes. An individual’s Social Security Number is also linked to the person’s credit history and payment of taxes.

Only United States citizens and those immigrants allowed to reside in the United States (such as those with a green card or work permit) are allowed to have a Social Security Number. In order to request a Social Security Number, individuals must do the following:

• Complete an application with the Social Security Administration
• Show evidence of their immigration status
• Show evidence of their identity

If you are lawfully residing in the United States and have yet to receive your Social Security Number, you can approach your nearest SSA office .. If you have ever been assigned a lawful Social Security Number in the past, this number should not change.

If you have never been assigned a Social Security Number nor do you lawfully reside in the United States, you may not be able to obtain one. An alternative to this would be to request an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This document should be requested from the IRS and can be granted regardless of the individual’s immigration status. An ITIN allows you to file your taxes, something that is a requirement for anyone working in this country.