Every country has strategic policies and plans that govern how it operates. These policies and plans cover vast areas of interests some of which include citizen identification, which is an issue of concern in this article. Every country has a systematic policy that is used to identify citizens. A considerable number of countries use identification card number and a physical identity card while others may require individuals to present their biometrics for scanning and other identifications practices.
Besides, there have a plethora of documents that are used to identify individuals, the government of the United States pays much attention to the Social Security Number, commonly known as SSN. Every person who is a United States citizen or eligible to be a citizen of the US must have a Social Security Card, which bears the Social Security Number.
What is Social Security Card Number?
This is a nine-digit number that is issued to all the United States citizens and other eligible individuals who apply for one. The sole purpose of this card number is to monitor an individual’s lifetime earnings in comparison to the number of years worked. This information is used in calculating retiree’s disability income, especially when one starts collecting social security benefits. Your disability income is based on what you have been contributing to your social security scheme. A huge number of people use the card number of an entire life while others may apply for a replacement.
A large number of individuals living in the United States don’t have a social security card number. Most of them think that the card number only belongs to the employed class, but recent trends show that everything has changed. The social security card number is not only for the employed but is currently being used to handle various aspects of an individual. Therefore, whether working or not, you need to have a social security card number so that you can enjoy multiple aspects. Here are some of the areas where you need a social security card number.
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Opening an Account with Financial Institutions
The Federal Government requires banks and other financial institutions to request social security numbers every time they are opening accounts for various individuals. You need to order a social security card for you to be enabled to open a bank account. This strategy helps the government to track how individuals are interested in various investment opportunities and the amount of money they receive.
Other government agencies are interested in evaluating the incomes and losses associated with a particular investment. There are other reasons as to why the government requires individuals to use social security card some of which include tax deductibles, mortgage interest payments, and other financial obligations. However, the government might also use the tax identification number for ta deductibles and other financial obligations.
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Federal Loan Application
A huge number of individuals require federal loans either for business or for further education. The government will not process loan applications for any student without the social security number. It is an eligibility criterion for any person who is interested in accessing federal student loan. The government requires the social security card number to determine whether individuals have defaulted another federal loan. Any person who is interested within getting federal student loan must have a social security card number, whether a citizen or visitors. However, visitors are required to have a visitor status while male applicants are required to have registered with Selective Service.
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Application for Any Public Assistance
The government of the United States and state government have multiple public assistance programs that can be accessed by multiple numbers of individuals who have attained particular criteria. Some of the common public assistance programs include social security disability income and unemployment benefits among others. However, most of these benefits are provided by the federal government. The social security card number needs to be present for processing and verification. The number is used to conduct a background check among individuals and ensure that the beneficiaries deserve assistance. It prevents a situation where people with income access assistance programs from the government.
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Passport Application
Federal requires that citizens are applying for the United States’ passport to present their Social Security Card number. Most of the citizens who apply for a passport without the Social Security number experience extreme delays before they can get their passport to be processed. If you have a Social Security card but fail to present to the department of immigration for processing, you will be required to pay a fine of $500. This means that every important government application must be accompanied by a Social Security card, failure to which individuals will be fined.
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For Tax Return Purposes
Tax returns are important financial documents that the Federal government requires from every citizen in a year. The IRS uses the card number to calculate the taxes you have paid to the government as compared to the amount you have received in a given year. The tax returns must be consistent with what reports indicate you have paid to the tax authorities. You should order a social security card for your children so that you can use your children to be dependent on your tax return. This will lower tax deductibles from your income hence lowering your financial obligation.
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Application for Driver’s License
Although the local authorities provide most of the driving licenses, the SSN has to be presented. This is specifically done to ensure that all your financial documents and bank accounts are connected with the driving license.
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Accessing Credit Cards and Loans
A significant number of individuals in the United States require loans to fund their significant financial expenses such as huge investments. Most of the people who want to buy a property have to apply for financing from various lending institutions. However, all the lending institutions request for the Social Security card for the loan applications to be processed. The same card has to be present when individuals are applying for credit cards. Financial institutions will not present loans or credit cards without the necessary security card number.
It appears that any formal transaction and any activity that involves finances must incorporate a Social Security card number. It is one of the most critical numbers that you must have in the United States. You will struggle to get the most benefits of access to various services without this card. However, proof of citizenship must be shown and demonstrated when one is applying for a Social Security card. This means that non-citizens are not required to get the social security number because they are not entitled to most of the benefits offered by the government.
In most cases, all non-citizens are not required to present Social Security cards when they are applying for some of the formal documents that one is required to have. For example, non-citizens can apply for a driver’s license, get health insurance cover, access subsidized housing program, and register for school without Social Security card. The government does not require a Social Security number from non-citizens because they will not demand social security benefits from the government after retiring.
Secrecy of Social Security Card Number
Federal law requires you to use your SSN with maximum security and confidentiality. Just because an individual needs you to present your SSN does not mean that you have to produce it. This strategy has been incorporated to prevent incidences of identity theft. Reports indicate that a considerable number of individuals who fail to keep secret their card number are becoming victims of identity theft regularly.