What if a federal or state agency requires a Social Security number?
The following comes from the SSA publication, Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens, at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10096.pdf. If you do not have permission to work, you may apply for a Social Security number only if: • A federal law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get a particular benefit or service; or • A state or local law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get general assistance benefits that you already have qualified for. If you need a number to meet state or local requirements, you must bring us a letter from the government agency. It must be on letterhead stationery (no form letters or photocopies) and: • Specifically identify you as the applicant; • Cite the law requiring you to have a Social Security number; • Indicate that you meet all the agencys requirements, except having the number; and • Contain an agency contact name and telephone number. If you are assigned a number for non-work purposes, you cannot use it to work.
