Social Security Number Information

The U.S. Social Security program is designed for individuals who work and live in the United States. The social security number (SSN) has become an identification number routinely used by banks, phone companies, rental agencies, and other institutions. The Social Security Administration (SSA) advises companies that they should not use the SSN for client identification purposes.

Effective October 13, 2004, the Social Security Administration will NOT assign a Social Security number to any F-1 student UNLESS the student has one of the following:

• Evidence of employment from an on-campus employer
• Evidence of on-campus work from the Designated School Official (DSO)
• Specific work authorization from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) such as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) 
• Authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) as evidenced on the employment page 3 of the student‘s Form I-20 A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status.

F-1 students must submit to the Social Security Administration (SSA) a completed Form SS-5, an Application for a Social Security Card, and the following documents:

• • SEVIS Form I-20
  • Valid Passport
  • I-94 Card
  • A letter from the on-campus employer or EAD or CPT authorization on Page 3 of the F-1 student’s I-20
  • A letter from the DSO if the F-1 student works on-campus only
  • A Verification of On-Campus Employment Letter from employer showing:
  • F-1 student by name
  • Job Description 
  • Employment starting date
  • Number of hours per week
  • Employer Identification Number (The Gallaudet EIN is 53-0199507)
  • Name of F-1’s immediate supervisor
  • Telephone number of F-1’s immediate supervisor
  • Original Signature
  • Signatory’s Title
  • Date

NOTE: The letter verifying employment  CANNOT come from the DSO. The only exception to this rule is if the DSO is hiring the F-1 student.

Social Security Administration Locations:

Postal Plaza Shopping Center 1905-B 9th Street NE
Washington, DC 20018
(across from Brentwood Post Office)
Hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday

2100 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
(between N New Hampshire Ave & N 21st St)
Nearest Metro stations are Dupont Circle  (red line) and Foggy Bottom (blue line)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday