How To Apply for a Social Insurance Number

Social insurance is one the things that could cover expenses that most people don’t see coming. Not a lot of people actually save up to have something to spend should they get sick or get involved in an accident, so monthly contributions to social security give people the chance to secure their futures by having something to lean on during times of unexpected crisis.

The social insurance number (also called the social security number) is also routinely used for various documents. All employees should have this, since there are legally-mandated benefits that employers have to provide and pay for through the social security service. It is also one of the fields often required when filing out applications for certain post-graduate programs, employment requirements, and even when applying for loans or credit.

Here is how you can easily apply for a social insurance number for purposes of employee insurance or government insurance.

1. Fill out the application form that can be found on the website of the Social Security Administration. The form is fairly straightforward and would require one to fill out basic details like one’s name, address, date of birth and so forth.
2. Next, you need to prove that one is legitimately staying in the United States. Have your immigration papers ready from the Homeland Security Department to facilitate this step. These papers would also prove one’s actual age and identity
3. You must then mail these documents to the nearest Social Security office.
4. International students can also avail of a social security number.
5. You must make sure that all the documents that are being sent are all notarized and authorized by the issuing agencies. Only original reproductions or certified copies are accepted for applications for government insurance and pension insurance. Photocopied materials will not be entertained and would be marked as void.
6. Assuming you have filled out the form correctly and have sent the right documents with the application form, you can usually expect the social security card to arrive via the mail within a few weeks. Once you receive your card, make sure that you copy your social security number so it would be much easier to renew in the event that the card gets lost.

Apart from benefits like death or disability pay, social security also includes retirement benefits. While this might not be significant, it’s still a stable source of funds during times these are much needed. Social security benefits also include supplemental security income (or SSI) for eligible individuals with limited incomes. Your social insurance number would also serve as your passport to a lot of different services. It’s tantamount to a national ID system, because many government agencies and even private companies rely on the SSN as a proof of your identification.

For taxation purposes, you would not usually be able to claim dependent status for your children unless they have their own SSNs, so it would also be a wise step to apply for social security numbers as soon as a child is born—this is usually done when a parent applies for a birth certificate.

Applying for a social insurance number does take some time and effort, but it should be part of the responsibilities of any law-abiding citizen.