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A Social Security Number (SSN) is a special number given to people who live and work in the United States. It has nine digits and is used to keep track of how much money a person earns and how much they pay in taxes. The SSN is also used by some government agencies and businesses to identify people. To get an SSN, a person needs to fill out a form and provide some documents to prove who they are. The SSN is important because it helps people get benefits when they retire or if they become disabled.
A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or temporary working residents. The SSN was created in 1936 to keep track of the earnings history of U.S. workers for social security entitlement and benefit computation purposes.
For example, if you work and pay taxes in the United States, you will be assigned an SSN. This number will be used to keep track of your earnings and determine your eligibility for social security benefits when you retire.
Although the social security card was never intended to serve as a personal identification document, the SSN has also become used by many government agencies and other private entities to identify and track a person's financial history.
For example, when you apply for a credit card or a loan, the lender may ask for your SSN to check your credit history and determine your creditworthiness.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made the SSN card counterfeit resistant. However, the SSN card is not used as proof of identity because it does not contain personal information about the holder.
An applicant may obtain an SSN and the corresponding card by filling out Form SS-5. A complete list of the required information for the SSN application, such as documentation that proves age, identity, and U.S. citizenship or immigration status, is listed in the Form SS-5. The application and issuance of the SSN card are free of charge for all persons.
The unique nine-digit SSN is composed of three parts:
For example, if your SSN is 123-45-6789, the area number is 123, the group number is 45, and the serial number is 6789.
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) | Social Security statement