Everyone born in America is automatically issued with a Social Security Card which has a number which is used as a unique identifier for services throughout their lives. For people who move to the USA, and who have to live for even a short time without an SSN, it is very difficult to set up their lives and carry out everyday tasks that are taken for granted in their home country.
People travel to America for many different reasons but if it is for a short stay then they will live and travel using traveler's cheques (checks); cash and credit cards. This is an expensive way to pay for goods and services as there is always a commission charge for exchange from the home country currency.
For longer stays there is usually a requirement to earn money and for this a work permit is required.
The main purpose of the SSN is to track people for tax and you must have a number to get a job and to collect social security benefits. ( See: Social Security Administration Your SSN and Card )
Immigration and Temporary Relocation Into America
Many people move to the USA on either a temporary work visa or to start a new life with the intention of permanently staying in America. Of course a legal move as an immigrant or non-immigrant provides for permission to apply for a Social Security Card Number. However this may take a while to obtain and so it may be necessary to live for a time without an SSN.
In fact there are about 12 million illegal immigrants in the USA ( Source: US Immigration Support accessed 9/9/10). These people must find ways of living for long periods without becoming part of the official work and tax system.
Living in America Without a Social Security Card
An application for an SSN can take up to five weeks before the card is received. This means that an individual or family must survive without a social security number for this time. In fact the first difficulty will be that it is not possible to rent a property or lease a car without this number.
Using a hotel and hire car for five weeks can be a very expensive outlay after arriving in a new country and so help will need to be sought to obtain a property and vehicle in the name of an employer or other organization. It is also not possible to obtain any goods or services on credit without an SSN. This means that even simple things like television; internet and telephones must be obtained in someone else's name.
The most critical handicap is perhaps that payment cannot be received for work without the card. It is therefore necessary to continue to use cash and credit from the home country during this period.
Applying for an SSN
It is well advised to apply for a Social Security Card before arrival in the USA although this is not possible until the visa has been obtained. If a person arrives in America with a visa that includes authorization to work then the first thing they must do is apply for an SSN. ( See: SSA Application for a Social Security Card ) This is most simply done at one of the many social security offices.
The government offices where an SSN can be applied for are distributed around America and can usually be found in the main street of every large town and city. The Social Security Administration website provides a search facility where the nearest office can be found using the home address zip code. See: SSA Local Office Search
Advice on Looking After the Social Security Card
Although the number on the card is used in identification it is advised that the card itself be stored in a safe place at home. In fact the driving license is the main form of ID required at services such as domestic airports and, of course, when requested by a police officer.
The SSN card must not be laminated or otherwise permanently protected although it needs to be placed somewhere where it will not be lost, damaged or stolen as it can only be replaced up to 10 times in a lifetime. (See: What to do if the Social Security Card is Lost or Stolen)
The Social Security Card and number is a critical part of life in America and so it is good advice to obtain this before arriving in the country if possible and certainly looking after it well once it has been obtained.
Related articles: Moving to the USA - Visas, permits and Greencards
and also: Work Permit Requirements for Dependents
and Relocation - Our Move to America From the UK
Dave Corby - Dave Corby is Director of Engineering Software for a large American inspection company.
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