The U.S. Social Security number happens to be an identifier issued by the government that is used in making various life and financial transactions. It is basically a card that provides detailed information related to your personal identification to the Government and to the society around you. The Social security card is applied in the following situations:

• One is granted the U.S. citizenship; or
• When one is born.

If you are a resident or a citizen of the United States of America, it is mandatory to obtain a Social Security card before anything else.

Here are a few critical activities which you cannot do without a Social Security card:

Required at educational institutes

When you want to admit your children or yourself into a college, you will have to show the Social Security card in order to get admitted. This helps the college to know whether you are eligible to be a student at their college.

Helps you get a job

Whether you are a citizen of the U.S. or just a resident, you definitely need a Social Security card to show it to your employer, so that you would be eligible to work in the country. The card is also required for wage reporting on W-2 forms.

Doctor’s appointment

When you have a doctor’s appointment, the first thing your doctor would require of you is a Social Security card. The card provides all information in relation to your medical issues to your doctor and he makes sure that your medical information is not misused by unauthorized people. Also, the doctor’s office might use the Social Security card for Insurance purposes and for Billing.

Bank account

The banker would need your Social Security number to open a new bank account. With the help of your card number, the banker would get to understand your financial status.

Credit card application

In case, you want to apply for a credit card, the banker would go through your credit history before giving you a loan. By getting axis to your Social Security card, the banker will be able to decide whether you are creditworthy or not.

In case, you lose your Social Security card it is nearly impossible to survive in the country. The most dangerous repercussions of losing one’s Social Security number is that if an unethical individual finds it and uses it, one’s personal identity could be compromised. If someone is smart enough to collect your other personal information such as your birth certificate, house address and your professional details along with your social security number, they would be able to apply for credit cards under your name and take a huge loan which you would not be able to repay even after many years. The thieves can also wreck your life completely when they get the access to the most confidential information about you, such as the information related to your finances, health, education, and others. They could take this opportunity to make passports or driving licenses under your name which could be misused for their personal benefits. Hence, it is highly important to get a Social Security card replacement  as soon as possible.

Procedure to get a Social Security card replacement

Social Security card replacement is neither very difficult nor too expensive. To apply for a  Social Security card replacement , one has to go to the Social Security Administration. You just need to fill in an application form and provide all the proofs listed below to get a new card.

Identity Proof to be produced to Social Security:

• Non-driver identity card issued by the state; or
• U.S. passport; or
• U.S. driver’s license.

In case, you are not able to show the above-listed documents to the Social Security, you might have to at least show them the below Identity proofs:

• U.S. military ID card;
• Health insurance card;
• College ID card;
• Employee ID card.

Age Proof to be produced to Social Security:

• Birth certificate; or a religious record that has the date of birth
• U.S. hospital record which has the date of birth
• U.S. passport
• In case, you lived outside the U.S while you lost the card, you need to show the record of your residence outside the U.S

U.S. citizenship proof to be produced for Social Security:

• U.S. birth certificate;
• U.S. passport

Immigration status proof to be produced for Social Security:

• Form I-551 along with the foreign passport which is unexpired
• I-766 which is a document authorizing employment
• The I-94 which records one’s departure/arrival or the stamp of admission in a foreign passport which is unexpired

The Social Security administration permits you to apply for a Social Security card 10 times in a lifetime. However, the number of your Social Security card remains the same even after you get a new card. So there is no assurance that an identity thief would not be able to misuse your personal information after you have obtained your Social Security card replacement . Hence, it is important to ensure that you enroll yourself in an identity protection service in case your card was stolen or lost.

It is advisable to not carry your Social Security card along with you at all times unless it is necessary. Keep it in the locker or a safe, where all your other important documents are filed. This will help you to avoid going through unnecessary problems due to fraudulent activities.