How To Apply For Social Security For A Newborn

Your Newborn And Their Social Security Number

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Getting your newborn a Social Security number is important for their future. If your child is born in a hospital, the easiest way to apply for a Social Security number is right at the hospital.

When you give information for your childs birth certificate at the hospital, youll be asked whether you want to apply for a Social Security number for your child. If you say yes, you will be asked to provide both parents Social Security numbers, if you can. Even if you dont know both parents Social Security numbers, you can still apply for a number for your child.

There are many reasons why your child should have a Social Security number. You need a Social Security number to claim your child as a dependent on your income tax return. Your child may also need a number if you plan to do the following for your child:

• Open a bank account.

• Apply for government services.

You can find more information by reading Social Security Numbers for Children at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10023.pdf.

Please share this information with people who are expecting a child. Applying for a Social Security number at the hospital will save them time and let them focus on the new member of their family.

How To Receive Federal Benefits

To begin receiving your federal benefits, like Social Security or veterans benefits, you must sign up for electronic payments with direct deposit.

If You Have a Bank or Credit Union Account:

• Call the Go Direct Helpline at .

If You Don’t have a Bank or Credit Union Account:

• Direct Express debit card – a pre-paid debit card. Get help by calling the Go Direct Helpline at .

Make Changes to an Existing Direct Deposit Account:

Learn how to make changes to an existing direct deposit account. You also may contact the federal agency that pays your benefit for help with your enrollment.

What We Will Ask You

If the worker is deceased, we will also ask you:

• The worker’s date of birth and his or her name at birth
• The worker’s date of death and the place of death
• The State or foreign country of the worker’s fixed permanent residence at the time of death
• Whether the worker was unable to work because of illnesses, injuries or conditions at any time during the 14 months before his or her death.
• Whether the worker was in the active military service before 1968 or ever worked for the railroad industry.
• Whether the worker earned Social Security credits under another country’s Social Security system
• Whether the worker was employed or self-employed in all years from 1978 through last year
• How much the worker earned in the year of death and the year before death
• Whether the worker ever filed for Social Security benefits, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income. and
• Whether each child was living with the worker at the time of death.

Depending on the information you provide, we may need to ask other questions.

Note

You also should have with you your checkbook or other papers that show your account number at a bank, credit union or other financial institution so you can sign up for Direct Deposit, and avoid worries about lost or stolen checks and mail delays.

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Not Checking Your Taxable Earnings Record

The Social Security Administration uses your top 35 years of earnings to calculate your benefit amount. Though errors on earnings records arent widespread, they can happen.

As reported by CNN Money, the SSA had $71 billion in wages that couldnt be matched to taxable earnings records in 2012. Only half of that money was eventually matched correctly.

Inaccuracies in your earnings record could reduce your benefits. Dont leave money on the table. Check! Its better to be safe than sorry.

Us Embassy In Ireland

• Nonimmigrant Visas

• For travel to the United States on a temporary basis, including tourism, temporary employment, study and exchange.

To apply for a Social Security number for anyone over the age of 12 the following steps are required

A. Complete an Application for a Social Security Card, Form SS-5-FS all questions must be answered and legible.

1. Proof of birth

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Need To Look Up Your Social Security Number

Effective June 24, 2013 the Social Security Administration updated the regulations concerning Social Security Number verifications. A replacement Social Security Number card will not be issued to non-U.S. citizens or residents who have no current need for a Social Security Number.

If you are a U.S. citizen or legal Permanent Resident Alien and you need to verify your Social Security number, please directly contact the Federal Benefits Unit, Embassy Tokyo.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal Permanent Resident Alien and you need to verify the details shown on your Social Security Number record, you must apply directly to the Social Security Administration for a printout of your Social Security Number record . For more information, please visit SocialSecurity.gov.

How Do Benefits Work And How Can I Qualify

While you work, you pay Social Security taxes. This tax money goes into a trust fund that pays benefits to:

• Those who are currently retired

• To people with disabilities

• To the surviving spouses and children of workers who have died

Each year you work, youll get credits to help you become eligible for benefits when its time for you to retire. Find all the benefits Social Security Administration offers.

There are four main types of benefits that the SSA offers:

• Learn about earning limits if you plan to work while receiving Social Security benefits

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Not Considering Other Retirement Savings

Two-thirds of Americans believe theyll outlive their retirement savings. This makes the decision of when to take Social Security all the more crucial.

Crunch the numbers and see how much income you can draw from your 401K, IRA, retirement annuity, and other accounts. Factor in other savings, like your health savings account , as well as any assets you have that you may sell, like a house or stocks.

Then consider how much you need from Social Security to meet your retirement income needs. Make a decision of when to apply for Social Security based on those numbers. Do what will set you up for long-term financial security.

Applying For A Replacement Social Security Card

American Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents can apply for replacement Social Security cards through Embassy Tokyo. Please contact the Federal Benefits Unit, Embassy Tokyo. You will need to bring your current valid passport or permanent resident card, along with the SS-5 application form .

Please note: Replacement Social Security cards are issued overseas to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. If you are not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, and you are currently residing in Japan, you will not be entitled to a replacement card even if you misplace it.

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What Is The Purpose Of The Social Security Number

The Social Security number is a nine-digit number which the U.S. government issues to all U.S. citizens . Eligible U.S. residents are able to apply for one as well. This number allows the government to keep track of your lifetime earnings as well as the number of years worked.

U.S. citizens need a SSN to be able to work. An employer will always ask for the social security number, and they will report your income to the Internal Revenue Service, IRS.

Instances when a person is asked to provide their Social Security card or number also include:

• Opening an account with any U.S. financial institution
• Applying for a federal loan
• Applying for certain types of public assistance
• Enrolling in Medicare
• Filing your tax return
• Getting a drivers license

Without a Social Security number, financial institutions will not be able to run a credit check, and therefore, making it more difficult to get a credit card or a loan.

Baby’s Social Security Card

• Getting a Social Security number for your newborn is voluntary and there are advantages. Your baby’s Social Security card will allow you to:
• open a bank account for your child
• get medical coverage for your child
• apply for government services for your child
• buy savings bonds for your child.

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How To Get A Social Security Number For Your Newborn Baby: 4 Steps

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One of the most important identifying numbers for U.S. citizens and U.S. residents is the Social Security number. This nine-digit number is used by the U.S. government to keep track of years worked, lifetime earnings, federal aid, Social Security death benefits, and so on. This number is legally required to begin work, and its a vital part of the tax and credit process.

Jump ahead to these sections:

• How to Replace Your Childs Social Security Card?

When you have a baby, one of the first steps is securing their necessary legal documents. This includes filing for a Social Security number for your child. This is something youll need to add your baby to your health insurance, get tax credits, and open a bank account for them.

In other words, its how you ensure the country recognizes your baby. Like most things involving government paperwork, this isnt always an easy process. Keep reading to discover the steps needed to get a Social Security number for your newborn baby.

How To Receive Benefits

You must apply in person. The family must present the child’s birth certificate, the parents’ Social Security numbers, and the child’s Social Security number. There may be additional documents required, as well. In relevant cases, the applicant must provide a parent’s death certificate and/or evidence of disability from a doctor.

If your child is disabled, the Social Security Administration offers a Disability Starter Kit that can help you navigate the process of applying for benefits.

If you are taking care of a child and are receiving Social Security benefits for that reason, their benefits may stop at a different time from your own. For example, if your child is not disabled, your benefits will end when the child turns 16 years old. If the child is disabled and you have responsibility for them, your benefits may continue. For these types of specific circumstances, its best to contact the Social Security Administration for guidance.

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Tips For Applying For The Ssn For The Newborn

• Applying for the SSN is voluntary for newborn babies.
• File for the SSN at the time of birth of the baby. The hospital will take care of everything related to filing for the birth certificate and SSN.
• At the hospital you will be required to fill a document requesting the newborn baby’s birth certificate.
• In the form, there will be an option for applying for a Social Security number for the baby.
• If you write “yes”, you must provide both parents’ Social Security numbers if you can.
• If you do not have these or one of the parents has the SSN and the other does not, you can still apply for a number for your child.
• You will get the Social Security Number for your newborn baby in mail.

Visit The Social Security Office

While the easiest way to secure your childs Social Security number is through the hospital paperwork above, not all babies are born at the hospital. Many babies are born at home or in another type of facility. Alternatively, some parents dont receive a birth request form from the hospital for some reason or another.

If any of the above applies to you, your Social Security Administration office is where you go to apply for your childs number. At your local Social Security office, youll need the following:

• Form SS-5 – This is the Application for Social Security Number. You can fill this out in advance or at the office. Its available on the Social Security Administrations website.
• Medical documents – Youll need at least two documents proving the age of your baby, their identity, and citizenship status. This is typically your childs birth certificate and medical records.
• Parent identification – Finally, bring proof of your own identity. This is usually your drivers license or passport. You must provide at least two separate documents.

You can apply for your documents in person or by mail. Because youll need to provide official or certified copies of your documents, its usually easier to apply in person. There is no charge for a Social Security card.

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