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Page | 63 3630 NON-CITIZEN SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER PROCEDURES

A Social Security number will not be assigned, or a replacement card issued to an alien who does not have authorization from the USCIS to work in the United States unless the alien has a valid non- work reason for needing the number. SNAP eligibility requirements are a valid reason for needing a non-work SSN.

Form DSS-EA-274 documents the individual has a valid reason for needing a non-work SSN to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Benefits Specialists should complete Section A of DSS-EA- 274 and instruct the applicant that the form must also be completed by SSA, then returned to DSS. Receipt of the returned form verifies the individual has applied for SSN.

3640 VERIFICATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS

As a condition of eligibility, each applicant/recipient must furnish a SSN for all members of the household unless the individual is less than 6 months or younger. It is DSS's responsibility to verify the number with the Social Security Administration, unless the number is questionable. If an individual is unable to furnish a SSN or does not have one, and does not have good cause, DSS will require the individual to submit proof of application of a SSN, or may complete Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number, in accordance with enumeration procedures if the request is for a duplicate number, or an original number for individuals over age 18. Benefits Specialists may continue to accept a social security card or other official document to meet the requirement that an applicant or recipient furnish their SSN or SSNs. However, household members cannot be denied for failure to provide their SSN card or other official document as proof of an existing number, unless the number is questionable.

Once a SSN has been federally verified by the Social Security Administration, ACCESS will show a "X" code by the SSN on the MEMB panel. An "X" code is considered permanent SSN verification. When an individual's SSN has been submitted to SSA for federal verification and the number was not federally verifiable, a printout will be sent identifying the reason the number did not match. Once DSS receives the printout, DSS will require the individual to submit information to resolve the discrepancy or require the individual to submit verification of a SSN application or complete Form SS-5 in accordance with Enumeration procedures.

3650 FAILURE TO COMPLY

If the Benefits Specialist determines that a household member has refused or failed without good cause to provide or apply for a SSN, the individual without the SSN will be ineligible to participate in the program. The disqualification applies to the individual who has not provided a SSN, and not the entire household.

3660 GOOD CAUSE

Good cause applies when a household has made a good faith effort to provide required documents in order to apply for a SSN. In determining what would constitute a "good faith effort" the Benefits Specialist should consider information from the household member, SSA, and DSS. If the household member applying for a SSN has been unable to obtain the documents required by SSA, the Benefits Specialist should make every effort to assist the individual in obtaining these documents. While the individual is making a good faith effort to obtain documents necessary to apply for a SSN (e.g. birth certificate), the individual may participate. The circumstances must be clearly documented in the case record. The Benefits Specialist must review the individual’s circumstances monthly to establish whether the household has applied for a SSN, has obtained the SSN or is still making a good faith effort to apply for a SSN. Good faith effort only applies to providing