Social Security Number
A Social Security number (SSN) is a unique, nine-digit identification number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). An SSN is a requirement for all persons who work and receive pay in the U.S. The SSN is used to report wages to the government.
COVID-19 SSN Application Procedure
1) Download and complete the required documents listed in the table below. Upload scanned copies to the SSN Document Request. ISSS will review your application, sign the job offer form, and email the form back to you.
Once you have uploaded all the required documents on our SSN Document Request, you may start working.
2) Make copies of all required documents. Please note that ISSS cannot make copies for students. Bring your original documents and copies to the Social Security Office when you go for your appointment. The Social Security Office address, directions, and bus schedule can be found below. Please wear a mask at your appointment and make sure you arrive right around your appointment time.
Note: If you are late to your appointment by 10 mintues or more, there is a chance that the Social Security Office will not accept your documents at that time and ask you to make another appointment.
Required Documents
It is important that you follow the Social Security Sample to avoid having to complete it again. After meeting, Social Security Administration staff will return all original documents to you, except the Social Security application. You will receive a receipt which will allow you to work for 30 days while your SSN application is being processed. Present this receipt to your employer. ISSS does not need a copy of this receipt.
For additional questions about these documents or appointment process, email algerst@siue.edu.
| F-1 Student Worker | SIUE Job Offer Form | I-94 printout |
Original I-20 |
Visa |
Valid Passport |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
F-1 Graduate Assistant, Competitive Grant Award |
Original I-20 |
Visa |
Valid Passport |
|||
|
J-1 Scholar |
Letter from SIUE (available at ISS Office) |
Original DS-2019 |
Visa |
Valid Passport |
||
After Your Appointment
It takes about four weeks for your Social Security card to arrive at the SIUE Office of International Affairs. We will email you when our office receives your card. Once you have an SSN, it will never expire. Even if your employment is discontinued or you leave the United States for a few years and return, you will keep the same number.
It is very important that you do not share your SSN with anyone else, as this can lead to identity theft. Do not carry your social security card in your wallet. Memorize it! Do not give out your SSN to anybody unless it is absolutely necessary.
Social Security Office:
- Address: Room 103 Federal Bldg., 501 Belle St., Alton, Illinois 62002
- Phone: 1-855-285-6006
- Hours: Monday-Tuesday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. / Wednesday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. / Thursday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Directions: Located in downtown Alton in the Federal Building at 5th and Belle Streets, five blocks north of the Alton Belle Casino boat on US Highway 67 (Piasa Street)
Bus Transportation:
- Take bus 17 from SIUE to Edwardsville Station.
- Take bus 7 from Edwardsville Station to Wood River Station
- Take bus 1 from Wood River Station to Belle Street (Social Security office). Tell the driver you want to be dropped off close to the Social Security office.
- To return use the same route (bus 1, bus 7, bus 17)
