Social Security Card / State ID Mess

[TS78]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Mississippi

Hi,

My mother is trying to get her state issued ID so that she can get some medical help. They require her to have her social security card, which she does not have a copy of (she is a natural born citizen). She does have a legal copy of her birth certificate. The social security office tell her that she must have a state issued ID to get a copy of the social security card. So, she is in a catch 22 and there seems to be no one at either office who can tell her what she needs to do (except maybe just die from lack of medical treatment). I'm sure there have been other people in this situation before, so something can be done. Can any give a little advice here? Is this something that maybe she could hire an attorney and make something happen?

Thank you

 

[TheGeekess]

Replacement Social Security Card for a U.S.-Born Citizen

You can replace your Social Security card for free if it is lost or stolen. However, you may not need to get a replacement card. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. You are limited to three replacement cards in a year and 10 during your lifetime. Legal name changes and other exceptions do not count toward these limits. For example, changes in immigration status that require card updates may not count toward these limits. Also, you may not be affected by these limits if you can prove you need the card to prevent a significant hardship.

To get a replacement card:

Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and
Show us documents proving:
U.S. citizenship (if you have not already established your citizenship with us); and
Identity.
Take your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office.

Citizenship

We can accept only certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These include a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. consular report of birth, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.

Identity

We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your:

U.S. driver’s license;
State-issued nondriver identification card; or
U.S. passport.

If you do not have one of these specific documents or you cannot get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, we will ask to see other documents, including:

Employee ID card;
School ID card;
Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
U.S. military ID card.

We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your U.S. passport as proof of both citizenship and identity.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document.

Get a certified copy of a document showing a birth, marriage or divorce that took place in the U.S.

We will mail your card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents. Your replacement card will have the same name and number as your previous card.

Documentation for a Replacement SS Card  for U.S.-Born Citizen

 

[TS78]

thanks

Thank you, but we are aware of what is required. As perhaps should have been a bit more clear in my post, she has none of the required documents to prove "identity." To get any of those items (except maybe the employee ID), requires a state issued photo identification and / or a social security card.

 

[tranquility]

Get a passport with secondary identification:
If you cannot present primary identification, you must submit as much secondary identification as possible.

A Combination of Identifying Documents

Present a combination of documents that can be used to verify your personal identity. These documents are not acceptable as secondary identification when presented alone.

Example: Social Security Card + Credit Card + Employee ID + Library Card

An Identifying Witness

An identifying witness is a person who can swear to your identity. He or she must:

Be present at the time of application
Have known you for at least 2 years
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Have valid ID
Fill out Form DS-71: Affidavit of Identifying Witness in the presence of a Passport Agent

NOTE: Form DS-71 is only available at your local Acceptance Facility or a Passport Agency.