Procedures for Obtaining a Social Security Number | JCTC

International

Procedures for Obtaining a Social Security Number

Effective January 5, 2004, the Social Security Administration (SSA) revised its procedures for verifying the immigration status of F-1 and M-1 student applicants for Social Security Numbers (SSN). For all non-citizen applicants for SSN, the SSA verifies:

  1. The applicant's immigration status; and 
  2. The applicant's employment eligibility.

Only students authorized for employment are eligible for SSN. All other students can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

To apply for a SSN, appear in person at the local Social Security Administration Office located at the Gene Snyder Federal Courthouse, 601 W. Broadway. Bring the following documents:

Proof of employment authorization:

  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) — Students applying for a SSN based on CPT must present their Form I-20, properly endorsed by the DSO for Curricular Practical Training.
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT) — Students applying for a SSN based on OPT must present their Employment Authorization Document.
  • Economic Hardship Off-campus Employment — Students applying for SSN based on off-campus employment due to economic hardship must present their Employment Authorization Document.
  • On-Campus Employment — Students applying for a SSN based on on-campus employment must present:
    1. A letter from their DSO; and
    2. Documentation from their on-campus employer, to prove that he or she is engaging in, or has secured, specific on-campus employment.

Before going to the SSA office, students may wish to have an appointment with the international student advisor to review documents and to obtain a letter from the DSO. Also, students who will be working on-campus should request their  supervisor to write an employment verification letter on college letterhead that includes the following information:

  • Identity of student employee
  • Nature of the job that the student is or will be engaging in.
  • Number of hours the student is expected to work.
  • Employer identification number (EIN)
  • Employer contact information, including the telephone number and the name of the student's immediate supervisor.
  • Original signature and signatory's title