Social Security Card Overview & Usage
Under Section 205(c) (2) of the Social Security Act, Social Security Cards are issued to U.S. citizens and other legal residents, including permanent residents and temporary working residents. Each SS Card has a nine digit number; the Social Security Number.
The Social Security Card has an impressive history. When it started in 1936, it was a huge hit and in three months one card became 25 million cards. Before 1986, children below 14 weren’t given SS numbers, and the card was mainly used for income and taxation purposes. In 1986, the age limit lowered to 5 years and in 1990 it was dropped to 1 year. The age limit was abolished entirely shortly thereafter. Now the Social Security Number is demanded with the birth certificate.
The three different types of Social Security Cards are as follows.
- The most common card is the one given to U.S citizens and permanent residents. This card will have the card number and the owner’s name.
- The second type of the card is of a restricted type. It reads “Not Valid for Employment”, which means that it cannot be used as proof of work.
- The other type of restricted card reads “Valid for work only with DHS authorization.” This card can be used to look for work with the work authorization card. This card is given to temporary residents of the United States.
The purposes of the Social Security Card are as follows.
- Primarily it is for tracking individuals for monetary excise duties.
- Now the SS number has become the national identification number.
- It is the license to live, work and pay taxes that every American should possess.
How to obtain a Social Security Card?
Form SS-5 is the answer. The “Application for a Social Security Number Card” should be used.
The Social Security Card, an integral part of US life and culture, is vital and so is the knowledge about it.
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