Work First 110 – Social Security Number Requirement

III. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER REQUIREMENT FOR NEWBORNS

Most families in North Carolina apply for social security numbers for newborns as they are completing the information for the Certificate of Live Birth (DHS-1201) at the hospital. Once the Social Security Administration assigns the child's number, the social security card is sent directly to the family.

When a family is in the agency, the caseworker must determine if the child has received their number.

A. If the child has a social security number (SSN), ask the family for the number.

If the family cannot provide the number, follow the process in II. above.

B. If the child has not received the SSN and is three months old or younger, use the Certificate of Live Birth (DHS-1201) with block 17 checked "Yes" to verify that an application was completed. This meets the social security number requirement for the child.

1. The caseworker must explain to the family that the family must report the child's SSN within 10 calendar days after it is received.

2. Complete the DSS-8125 to flag the case in 90 calendar days to follow up with the family and to obtain the SSN.

C. If the child is older than three months and has not received a SSN, the caretaker must apply for a duplicate social security card for the child.

D. At the first review after the child begins receiving WFFA, the caseworker must check to ensure the child's SSN is on file. If not, the caseworker should check OLV for the SSN.

The family must provide the SSN or apply for a duplicate social security card for the child.

E. Document the number on the DSS-8228, WFFA Documentation Workbook or comparable instrument. Send an Income Maintenance Transmittal (DSS-8194) form to the Food and Nutrition Services Unit with the number and note that the SSN was verified by the Work First Unit.