Click here for more information.

In order to be eligible to apply for a  Social Security Number you must:

• Have an employment/offer of employment:  Students in F-1 or J-1 status are not eligible for a Social Security number unless they have an offer of employment. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
• Be authorized to work in the US. Read about work authorization here.

• Be in the United States. New students should wait until they've entered the U.S before trying to apply for a Social Security Number. Students entering the U.S. for the first time in F or J student status must submit the immigration reporting form prior to applying for a SSN. Transfer students from another U.S. school must first be registered for classes and then in SEVIS by ISSS before applying. If your SEVIS record is not "active" the Social Security office will not be able to verify your status with the USCIS.

If you are sponsored by a third party (such as Fulbright), ISSS cannot assist you with the SSN process — please contact your sponsor for instructions.

You will need a "social security number support letter" printed and hand signed by your employer and hand signed by an ISSS advisor. (The Social Security Administration does not accept digital signatures!)

1. Once you have a job offer, ask your employer to complete the "social security number support letter". They must fill in all the information on the form, except for "D.S.O's Printed Name" and "D.S.O's signature", print the letter on their letterhead, and hand sign the form at "Supervisor's Signature". 
2. Please review the letter before you bring it to ISSS. The staff members who can sign the letter are listed here. If there are names listed at "D.S.O's Printed Name" on the letter template, it is an old version and should not be used as our staff may have changed. This field can be left blank and we will fill this part in. 
3. You need to bring the letter to ISSS (1938 Liacouras Walk, Suite 202) to have it signed either (a) during walk-in hours or (b) schedule an appointment with an ISSS Staff member to (c) drop it off at the ISSS Front desk and we will email you when it's ready to be picked up. 
4. Go to the Social Security Administration Office to apply for the SSN 
   • You have the option to start the application online, then go to a local Social Security office to provide your documentation. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a Social Security card with your number on it by mail within 14 days. Start the application here. 

You will then proceed to the office of Social Security on the day of your appointment with the SSA with  the following items:

• Social Security Application
  • The form can be filled out by paper at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
  • Or you have the option to start the application online, then go to a local Social Security office to provide your documentation. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a Social Security card with your number on it by mail within 14 days. Start the application here
• Your valid passport with US visa stamp
• I-20 – if you hold F1 status
• DS-2019 if you hold J1 status
• I-94 Admission/Departure Record – see https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home if you don’t have an I-94 card in your passport.
• Social Security Number Support Letter (hand signed by your employer and the ISSS Office. See above) (The Social Security Administration does not accept digital signatures)

Social Security office:

• Address
  2 PENN CTR STE 2000A
  1500 JFK BLVD 20TH FL
  PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102
• Phone number
  866-613-3969
  Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
•  If  you will apply at a different office, find the telephone number at Field Office Locator | SSA 

At your SSN appointment, be sure to obtain a receipt to prove that you have applied. You should receive the SSN card in the mail within 14 days.

Make sure to keep your SSN secure. Never email your SSN. If the wrong person gets your SSN, they can spend a lot of money in your name!!

If you have an on campus job at Temple, you will need to speak with Human Resources in order to use the receipt from Social Security to begin receiving payments from Temple.

Once you receive your Social Security Card (approximately 2 weeks via mail) update the following:

• Your university records (i.e. payroll and the registrar office) 
• Your personal records (banks, employer, etc.)

If you do not receive the card within 60 days, return to the Social Security office to inquire or call the toll-free phone number 1-800-772-1213. Do NOT apply for a second card; you should have only one SSN in your lifetime. If you continue to experience difficulties obtaining the card, contact ISSS

It is possible that your SSN will be requested for different activities: banking, utilities, etc. However, we recommend asking if other forms of identification can be used instead of the SSN. Employment is the only time that you should use your SSN.

• If you do not qualify for a Social Security Number (are not authorized to work in the US and/or do not have a job in the US) but are continued to be asked for one, then you should go to the Social Security Administration Office and explain that you do not qualify for a SSN. They should give you a "Social Security rejection letter."

• Location information can be found here: Field Office Locator | SSA.