The magic social security number opens society's doors

The social security number (SSN) was meant to identify you for the purposes of social security benefits. It was mandated as part of the Social Security Act of 1935 (section 205(c)(2)). The Social Security Act enabled social insurance for retirement, unemployment, child welfare, disabled persons care, and aid to families with dependents. This insurance is funded by a tax on your pay. A percentage of your pay must be taxed and paid to the IRS, under the Federal Insurance Collections Act (FICA). Your account with the IRS is keyed by the social security number you obtained from the Social Security Administration Department. It is a unique number that identifies only you. Normally, a birth certificate is all you need to obtain a number. Although the law does not require you to have an SSN, and does not prohibit you from working without one, you would be wise to get one if you think you will or may need to draw on social security benefits in your lifetime. Not having a social security number does not exclude you from any government services, but most will ask you for it if records are maintained. Without an SSN, you will have a difficult time taking advantage of government services and most private sector services as well. Not meant to be a universal identification, it has become one by usage.

Nearly everybody in the U.S. has a social security number. If you apply for credit for a car, a home, home furnishings, for nearly every loan, you will be asked to disclose your social security number. If you do not have one, you can be denied credit. Credit reporting agencies use it as the primary identification for a person. Even if you use a different name when you apply for credit, more than likely you will have to give your social security number; your social security number will be used to identify you and the different name will be regarded as an AKA. Using a different name when applying for credit will not normally be considered a fraud, but using a SSN that is not your own is fraud. If someone else has that number, using that number will also be considered identity theft.

A social security number can be obtained for a person the moment they are born. This is usually recommended to parents: in order to count your child as a dependent on your tax returns, you will have to provide your child's social security number. Even illegal residents of the U.S. have a right to obtain a number for their children if they are born in the U.S. Illegal immigrants are often hesitant to get an SSN for their U.S. born child and will wait until the child can apply for themselves. This is not necessary, since the status of an applicant's parents is irrelevant. If the child becomes disabled, social security benefits may be needed. A U.S. born citizen has a right to get a social security number.

The SSN is used to identify military personnel. It is required by such entities as colleges and universities, insurance companies, credit card companies, and by nearly every commerce and industry that maintains transactions with an individual. And even though you may work without one, nearly all businesses that have employees will require you to have one. There's no escaping it. Your social security number is your identification.