by Elisabeth Ulmer
The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) seeks comment
on its proposed rule to modify its regulations so that, in addition to
submitting the required evidence, Social Security number (“SSN”) applicants may
complete a “prescribed application,” instead of a paper Form SS-5, “Application
for a Social Security Card”). The
suggested changes are intended to make applying for a SSN easier and to make
way for the online application process currently being designed.
Of
all the services offered at the SSA, the application for a Social Security card
is one of the most commonly used. In
2013, the SSA reported receiving 10 million replacement SSN card
applications. When someone desires to
find a job, record wages, collect Social Security benefits, or apply for many
other government services, he or she must have a SSN. Even banks and credit companies will often
ask for it.
Persons who wish to apply for a
SSN have two options (both of which currently require hard copies of supporting documentary
evidence). They can fill out Form SS-5
and either mail or hand-deliver it to their local field office or a Social
Security Card Center. Alternatively, the
applicant can visit a SSA office and ask a representative to file, on his or
her behalf, an application through the electronic Social Security Number
Application Process. However, the
paper-based application process is too time-consuming for the large number of
applications that the SSA receives. As
seen in 2013, millions of applications are filed, and it takes about 14 minutes
to process each one.
Thus,
with the assistance of recent technological advances, the SSA is developing an
online application for certain eligible individuals, such as adult U.S.
citizens whose records do not need any changes in name, birth date, etc. Users of the online application would need to
register through the my Social Security portal and possess both a U.S. mailing
address and a valid U.S. state-issued driver's license or U.S. state-issued ID.
The
SSA says that this new option will allow it “to provide expanded service
options that meet the varied needs of the public in a cost-efficient and
environmentally responsible way.” The
online application would streamline the process of obtaining a replacement SSN
for both applicants and the SSA.
Applicants would not need to mail the application or visit a SSA office,
and SSA would be able to process applications more quickly. Nevertheless, the SSA emphasizes that this
new option will not compromise the security and integrity of the application
process.
Aside
from discussing the forthcoming electronic SSN application in its proposed
rule, the SSA also mentions four other changes with respect to applying for a SSN. First, because of the new online option, the
SSA would like to remove from 20 CFR 422.103 and 422.110 the requirement that
applicants for a replacement SSN card “must file an application at any Social Security
office.”
Second,
because the electronic application will not require applicants to complete a
Form SS-5, the SSA plans to delete references to this paper form and, where
necessary, replace them with the term, “prescribed application.” It will refer to either a paper-based or
electronic application. Third, in order
to establish eligibility and identity when someone applies for an original or
replacement SSN card, 20 CFR 422.107 states that he or she must provide
“documentary” evidence. The SSA proposes
to eliminate this identifier so that applicants may submit other types of
evidence.
Finally,
in 2003, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security replaced the Immigration and
Naturalization Service, which was divided into Customs and Border Protection,
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services. Accordingly, in section
422.107(e)(1), the SSA plans to replace references to “Immigration and
Naturalization Service” with “Department of Homeland Security.”
Comments on this proposed rule are due on April 27,
2015. Interested
parties are invited to submit comments by any of the following methods:
- Submitting comments electronically on the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov
- Faxing comments to (410) 966-2830
- Mail your comments to the Office of Regulations and Reports Clearance, Social Security Administration, 3100 West High Rise Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401
The
SSA cautions commenters not to include any personal information, such as Social
Security numbers or medical information.
All comments should include Docket No.
SSA-2014-0042.
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