2130 Social Security Numbers
As a condition of eligibility, a Social Security number must be provided for each applicant (with the exception of newborns and certain qualifying non-citizens – see 2132 ) or an application filed for one before assistance is approved.
For newborns, see 2132 . For non-citizens, see Policy Memo, 2000-12-01, re: Access to Benefits for Qualifying and Non-qualifying Aliens and Their Families .
For those individuals who provide an SSN prior to approval or visit during any contact, the specialist shall record the SSN and verify it according to 2131(1) . For those individuals required to provide an SSN who do not have one, who do not know if they have one, or who are unable to find their SSN, or for whom the SSN provided appears questionable, an application for a Social Security number must be completed. The SSN application must be made at the local SSA office and verification of that application from SSA must be provided before approval.
An SSN may be applied for on a newborn child through the SSA's Enumeration at Birth process. The specialist shall explain to clients that refusal or failure without good cause to provide or apply for an SSN will result in exclusion of the individual for whom an SSN is not provided. The individual that has applied for an SSN shall be allowed to participate pending receipt of an SSN.
If an individual has been issued more than one number by Social Security, all numbers issued to that individual shall be provided. The current assigned number for that individual shall be used for eligibility purposes. Assignment of a new number occurs in limited circumstances including adoption of a child, the number is too similar to another family member’s number, more than one individual has been assigned or is using the number, identity theft, domestic violence, or religious objection to the assigned number.