Do you need a ss card to get a job

There are two instances in which an employee may present you with their Social Security card: for payroll purposes and for I-9 purposes. But, while you can ask that employees show you their Social Security card for payroll purposes, you cannot tell them to use their Social Security card for I-9 purposes.

Table of Contents Show

Is a Social Security Number Required to Work in the US?
Do I Need a Social Security Number If I Have a Visa?
How Do I Apply for a Social Security Card?
How Long Will It Take for Me to Get My Social Security Number After Applying?
Can I Start Working While I Wait to Receive My Social Security Card?
How Can I Obtain Work Authorization in the United States?

Requesting the card for payroll reasons

The IRS says that employers must obtain the name and Social Security number for each employee and enter them on the employee’s Form W-2. According to the IRS, “You should ask the employee to show you his or her Social Security card.” This is true for businesses in Bangor, Maine, Merrimack, New Hampshire and everywhere in between.

While the IRS does not say you should “require” that employees show you the card, you can certainly request that they do so. If the employee provides you with the card, you can make a photocopy of it.

Asking to see employees’ Social Security cards and then recording their name and SSN directly from the card is a good payroll practice because it helps prevent SSN mismatches.

However, there’s a way to verify that employees’ names and SSNs mirror what’s in the Social Security Administration’s database, without you needing to see their Social Security cards. Simply go to the Social Security Administration’s “Social Security Number Verification Service” webpage to do the verification online. You will receive fast results.

Form I-9 restrictions

You cannot request or require that employees produce specific documents — including their Social Security card — for I-9 purposes. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, “Your employee must be allowed to choose what documentation to present from either List A or List C.”

An unrestricted Social Security card is an acceptable List C document. (List C documents are used to establish employment authorization.) An employee who opts to present a document from List C must also produce a document from List B, which is used to establish identity (e.g., a driver’s license).

If the employee chooses to use his or her Social Security card for employment authorization purposes, he or she must show you the card.

Unless you participate in E-Verify, you do not have to make copies of I-9 documents. However, some employers choose to keep copies for legal defense reasons — in which case, copies should be kept for all employees to avoid breaking antidiscrimination laws.

Do not accept a Social Security card that has restrictive wording, such as:

Not valid for employment.
Valid for work only with INS work authorization.
Valid for work only with DHS authorization.

If an employee provides you with a restricted Social Security card, tell him or her that it is not an acceptable I-9 document, and that he or she should select a different document from the Form I-9 list.

One of the most common questions that U.S. immigrants ask is if they need a Social Security number to work. Social Security numbers are used to report a person’s wages to the government and to determine their eligibility for Social Security benefits.

Our Dallas immigration attorneys explain if temporary workers need to obtain a Social Security number to get a job in the United States.

The team at Akula & Associates P.C. is here to guide you through the immigration process. Contact our Dallas immigration attorneys at (844) 299-5003 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation!

Essentially, you need a Social Security number to:

Get a job
Collect Social Security benefits
Receive other government benefits

If you are a temporary worker in the United States, your employer will ask you for a Social Security number.

To qualify for a Social Security number, you need to seek authorization from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, it is important to note that not all companies will require you to provide a Social Security number since they may only ask for your driver’s license.

If you are in the United States with a work or family visa and an employer is asking you to provide a Social Security number, you can apply for one. Applying for a Social Security card is free.

You need to do the following to obtain a Social Security number:

Complete the Social Security Administration application,
Provide the requested information to prove your identity, work-authorized immigration status, and age, and
Take your application, and original documents requested to the Social Security office.

The Social Security Administration stresses the importance of presenting original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency. They will not accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents when applying for a Social Security card.

They need to prove authenticity because they will present those documents to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS will need to prove your identity and immigration status.

It may take several weeks to receive a Social Security number. The processing time varies since the Social Security Administration must wait for the DHS to verify your documents before issuing you a Social Security number. Once the DHS verifies your information, the Social Security Administration will mail out your card.

Yes, you can start to work before you receive your social security number.

To start working, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will require your employer to use your Social Security number to report your wages once you receive your card. While you wait, your employer should request a letter from the Social Security Administration that states you requested a number, and the employee is authorized to work in the United States.

How Can I Obtain Work Authorization in the United States?

If you don’t have the authorization to work in the United States, you can apply for an employment visa. There are various types of visas you can apply for depending on you:

Level of education
Work experience
Skills

We know that applying for a work visa in the United States can be complicated. For such reasons, our team a Akula & Associates P.C. can help you find the right work visa for you.

Our Dallas immigration attorneys have a long history of helping companies and employees complete their visa applications. We have the knowledge and experience needed to help you obtain your desired results.

Our team is here to guide you through the process. Contact our Dallas immigration attorneys today at (844) 299-5003 today to schedule a consultation!