In this thread, we were talking about how long it takes to replace forms of ID, and I realized, I haven’t had a Social Security card since 2004. I accidentally threw it away at a car wash, and never replaced it. I’ve never had a need to. Not for jobs, not for changing where I vote, not to get a lease, not for getting a new driver’s license or bank account. I’ve always had other acceptable documents, or it was never required.
So, do you really need one?
How often do you actually need to use it?
What do you show with the I-9 for eligibility? A birth certificate? Your passport? A greencard or EAD?
I went approximately twenty years without one.
Was never a problem.
I was a resident alien, firstly on a temporary employment visa, and then on a green card that I won in the Diversity Lottery. I think I needed my SS card:
I might also have needed it at the US consulate in Sydney when I abandoned my green card, having retired back to Australia.
That’s over a 12-year period.
I’ve had employers make a photocopy of it for their records, so they can prove that I’m eligible to work here.
I’ve lived in some rent-subsidized apartments for low-income people. IIRC (although I’m not too sure I remember this right) that they wanted to photocopy my Social Security card too.
I mislaid my SocSec card about 45 years ago and have never needed it. Nevada wanted proof of SSN to give me a driver’s license, but I just filled out a 1040 form randomly (but with my correct SSN), and photocopied the nonsense for them – that was good enough.
When it was finally time to apply for SocSec benefits, I e-mailed SocSec asking them if I needed the card, and how I could get a replacement. They e-mailed back a long list of the tedious requirements for a replacement card: among other things they needed the SSNs of both my parents, both long deceased. It was only after chatting with a fellow retiree that I realized they’d failed to answer the first question in the e-mail – No, I didn’t need the card to get benefits.
I’m 40, and don’t remember ever using my SS card, nor do I have any idea where it could be, if it still exists at all. I honestly don’t even have memories of ever having seen it, but I suppose it may have been used for something when I was a teenager. Maybe my first drivers license?
This (I’m 45). I’ve held driver’s licenses in three different states, none ever asked for a SS card. Never been asked for it for any other transaction, either.
54, and can’t remember the last time I saw my SSN card. Must have been when I was a kid. Never had a need for it until a couple of years ago when I was applying for a driver’s license in IN. They were VERY strict about the types of ID you needed. They had a list of some 7 or so, or which you needed to provide 3 or 4.
The funny thing is, I work for SSA, went through a kinda high security clearance, and was able to show them my SSA ID with photo and chip, along with paystubs and 1099 from SSA with my SSN on it - not good enough, they wanted the little piece of cardboard. 
I managed to scrounge up another of the accepted pieces of ID, and still do not have the card.
Another funny thing, for most purposes, SSA does not require the card for people applying for benefits, etc.
I was asked for a copy of the card for every member of the household when I applied for food stamps a number of years ago, but my spouse had lost his. They apparently accepted a prior year’s tax form as sufficient proof.
So… no, I guess you don’t need it.
I’ve also used to to straighten out misunderstandings as to my actual, legal name on occasion, so it can be handy but apparently not essential.
Doesn’t it say right on the card that it’s not to be used for identification? Maybe I’m confusing it with something else - I’m not sure where mine is anyway. I use my passport when I need heavy-duty ID.
I have needed to show the actual card exactly once. At the unemployment office I was asked for it while applying for benefits. Of course I didn’t have it on me, and I was sent down the block to the Social Security office where I picked up a new one. It was convenient that the offices were so close together, I guess.
When I moved to Illinois (from New York) in 2005 I needed a Social Security card to get an IL drivers license. Looking at the application now, it looks like you need something to prove SSN to get a first-time IL license - that includes people who have valid licenses in other states. The only item on the list I could easily get a hold of was the SS card.
If I remember the series of events, I needed an SS card to get an IL license. So I could register my car (new, on temp plates) in Illinois, so I could get a Chicago city sticker so I could park it on the street. My apartment did not have off-street parking so I basically needed a social security card to park my car.
I had to use mine on the first day of my current job as proof of citizenship/ability to work in this country.
Before I got my passport, I’ve needed it for I-9 forms. I work a temporary job most years scoring standardized tests, so I’ve had to fill out the I-9 form several times, since the company requires a new one if you haven’t worked for them for a certain period. I’ve also used it for my Illinois driver’s license.
Interestingly, I have my original social security card that I got right before college, my signature has changed drastically since then
Yes, when I moved states they had a strict list of x-number of things you needed to verify you were you for a new driver’s license. I used my birth certificate, my passport, my social security card, a recent electric bill, and my current driver’s license to prove who I was so I could get a new driver’s license. And that just met the requirements.
My kids needed theirs to apply for their driving learner’s permit. And yes, they needed the actual card - they had their birth certificates on them, and they phoned me for their Social Security numbers, but they couldn’t get them without the actual cards.
Same here. Nobody has ever asked for it, and it’s never been a requirement for Social Security, Medicare, etc.
I was trying to be cautious about identity theft so I shredded it years ago. I didn’t realize how complex the process was to get it replaced so I haven’t done so yet. But I’ve also never needed it. I-9 authorization is better done with a US passport and I have other identity documents for other stuff.
I think I had to provide a copy with my passport application, but I’m not sure.
I too have been asked to provide a copy to employers as proof of citizenship and the right to work here.
