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Citizenship and Alien Status - Social Security Number (SSN) Requirements for Legal Immigrants |
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Revised October 28, 2007 |
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Purpose: The purpose of this section is to explain the special situations that affect immigrants when there are requirements for a Social Security number (SSN) in federal and state benefit programs. |
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The rules and information below supplement information provided in the SSN Chapter (WAC 388-476-0005 ). | |||
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CLARIFYING INFORMATION WAC 388-424-0009
Effective September 1, 2004 WAC 388-424-0009 Citizenship and alien status - Social Security Number (SSN) Requirements A "qualified alien", as defined in 388-424-0001, who has applied for a Social Security number (SSN) as part of their application for benefits cannot have benefits delayed, denied, or terminated pending the issuance of the SSN by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The following immigrants are not required to apply for an SSN: An alien, regardless of immigration status, who is applying for a program listed in 388-476-0005 (7); A PRUCOL alien as defined in 388-424-0001; and Members of a household who are not applying for benefits for themselves. “Qualified aliens,” as defined in 388-424-0001, who are applying for federal benefits but who are not authorized to work in the U.S., must still apply for a non-work SSN. The Department must assist them in this application without delay. An immigrant who is otherwise eligible for benefits may choose not to provide the department with an SSN without jeopardizing the eligibility of others in the household. See 388-450-0140 for how the income of such individuals is treated. WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES If the client is applying for a federal program which requires an SSN and a current and valid SSN is not available, the Department is responsible for providing the client with assistance in applying for an SSN. (If the client needs financial assistance to complete this process, the Department will assist as well - follow procedures in the Verification Chapter, Worker Responsibilities #9) If the client has already tried to apply at the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and has been denied, the Department should issue benefits (if the client is otherwise eligible) and take the following steps: Draft a letter on Department letterhead which specifies the names of all family members applying for benefits and requests that the SSA issue a non-work SSN for each. The letter must explain that the SSNs are being requested so that the clients can participate in the federal programs for which they are eligible. List all programs which apply. See Appendix VI for link to a sample SSN request letter. If a client is unable to get either a regular or non-work SSN, request an Exception to Rule (ETR) and continue benefits until client is work-authorized. Also ask the client to re-apply for an SSN once she is eligible for and has received an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. If the client is able to get a non-work SSN, document the number in ACES and remind the client that this SSN cannot be used to work. Some persons in a household may not be a part of the assistance unit (AU) which is applying for assistance (for example, undocumented parents of citizen children). In such a case, SSNs for those non-AU members are not a requirement for processing the application of the applying AU. A PRUCOL alien should apply for an SSN when they become a “qualified alien” as defined in WAC 388-424-0001. Staff should check at every re-certification to determine if the client has adjusted to a “qualified alien” status. | |||
