Surviving in the US without a Social Security Number

Presenters

z Helene Robertson, Director, International Student & Scholar Services, Catholic University of America

z James E. Leck, Associate DirectorBoston University International Students & Scholars Office

z Richard Porter, Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services, University of Missouri-Columbia

Surviving With a SS #

Anonymity has its Advantages

SS Administration Attitude/Policy

z Official position z Abuses z Flow chart for processz Legality of business requests for SS #

Ineligible Non-Immigrant Categories

z H-4 (Dependents of H-1B Workers)z J-2 without EADz F-1 Students Without Jobsz F-2 (Dependents of F-1 Student)z TD (Dependents of TN)

Categories Commonly Associated with Higher Education Institutions

Services that request SS#s

z Utilitiesz Cell Phones http://www.universitymobile.com/z Large purchases (vehicles)z Credit cardsz Public Schools (for dependent children)z Health Insurance Companiesz Landlordsz Banksz Drivers License

Banks ID Requirement

Department of Treasury regulations found at 31 CFR 103.121 require each bank to establish a Customer Identification Programaimed at establishing the identity of each customer who opens anaccount. The regulations recognize that non-U.S. persons may not have a taxpayer identification number and allow alternatives in the form of the number of the foreign passport or the number associated with another government-issued form of identification.

- From Catholic University letter to bank

Strategies for getting a SS #

z Short term jobs z Employment Letter

Certification Letter for F-1 Students

Starting Work Without the SS

z SS Admin fact sheetz NAFSA Practice Advisoryz Employer policy/roadblock

Starting Work Without an SSN

Social Security AdministrationSSA Publication No. 05-10181www.socialsecurity.govDecember 2005

Advocacy

z NAFSA (Issue Net, Liaisons)z Getting to the decision makersz Local, state, and national

Questions and Answers

http://international.cua.edu/SSN.cfm

Informational Resources Posted at:

Surviving in the US without a Social Security NumberPresentersSurviving With a SS #Anonymity has its AdvantagesSS Administration Attitude/PolicyIneligible Non-Immigrant CategoriesServices that request SS#sBanks ID RequirementStrategies for getting a SS #Certification Letter for F-1 StudentsStarting Work Without the SSStarting Work Without an SSNAdvocacyQuestions and Answers