1. PART I: YOUR RIGHTS WHEN AN SSN IS REQUESTED 1.1 Question: Do I have to get my newborn Child a social security number?
1.2 Question: Can I claim a tax deduction for dependents without using Social security numbers?
1.3. Question: Can I give some other number when I am asked to provide an SSN?
1.4. Question: Can I get a TIN?
1.5. Question: Can I rescind my social security number?
1.5.1 Rescinding Numbers Assigned to Children At Birth:
1.5.2 Applying to Have the SSN Application Removed From an Adult:
1.5.3 The Social Security Administration May Not Remove The Record of Some SSNs:
1.5.4. Rescinding an SSN:
1.6 Social Security is Not a Contract:
2. PART II OBJECTING TO REQUESTS FOR SSNs
2.1 BUSINESSES REQUESTING SSNs
2.1.1 Do I have to give my SSN to "XYZ" Company in order to get [some service or goods]?
2.1.2. Do I have to give my employer my SSN?
2.2 GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES REQUESTS FOR SSNs
2.2.1. Do I have to give the State my SSN to get a driver's license?
2.2.2 State Driver's License Laws:
2.2.3 Religious Objections to Requirements for a SSN as a Condition for Licensing:
2.3 QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES REQUESTS FOR SSNs
2.3.1 Banks (Financial Institutions):
2.3.2 U.S. Post Office:
2.3.3 Universities:
2.3.4 Airlines:
2.3.5 Utilities:
3. PART III NEW FEDERAL FUNDING CONTINGENT REQUIREMENTS
3.1. What new requirements were imposed by the recently enacted federal laws?
3.2 Conclusion Regarding New Federal Funding Requirements for SSNs:
4. PART IV ADDENDUM - WHO NEEDS A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
4.1 Assignment of Social Security Numbers:
4.2 Treaties and Social Security
4.3 Social Security Number Court Cases
4.4 Further reading:
The following is the first section, and will give you some detail as to what you will find at this site;
Your Rights Regarding Social Security Numbers
1. PART I YOUR RIGHTS WHEN AN SSN IS REQUESTED
1.1. Question: Do I have to get my newborn child a social security number?
Answer: No. There is no law that requires parents to get a social security number for their newborn children. The Social Security Administration was recently asked this very question. In their response the Assistant Commissioner of Social Security stated:
"The Social Security Act does not require a person to have a Social Security number (SSN) to live and work in the United States, nor does it require an SSN simply for the purpose of having one."Many hospitals automatically generate social security number application forms (Form SS-5) for newborns before they leave the hospital. This is done under the "enumeration at birth" program instituted under the GATT legislation. But hospital personnel are required to ask the parent if they want to get a SSN for their child. The parent can simply decline the service. Many people, such as those who give birth at home, never deal with this hospital paperwork at all. Once a number is assigned to a child it is difficult if not impossible to get it expunged from the SSA records. (See "5. Can I rescind my social security number?" below.)
Subsequent to the "Family Support Act of 1988" (Pub. L. 100-485) some States now require parents to give their Social Security numbers in order to get a birth certificate for a newborn.As amended, Title 42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(C)(ii) includes the following:"In the administration of any law involving the issuance of a birth certificate, each State shall require each parent to furnish to such State (or political subdivision thereof) or any agency thereof having administrative responsibility for the law involved, the social security account number (or numbers, if the parent has more than one such number) issued to the parent unless the State (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Security) finds good cause for not requiring the furnishing of such number. The State shall make numbers furnished under this sub clause available to the agency administering the State's plan under part D of subchapter IV of this chapter in accordance with Federal or State law and regulation. Such numbers shall not be recorded on the birth certificate."The federal law (another federal funding-contingent requirement) allows the SSN requirement to be waived for "good cause." There is no definition included in the Act for "good cause." And more importantly, there is absolutely NO PENALTY imposed on anyone for refusing to provide the "required" [requested] SSNs.
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