Social Security Information

What is a Social Security Number?

The United States has a nationwide pension supplement system known as Social Security. A nine-digit number is assigned to all US citizens, permanent residents and some international visitors and is used as a means to keep a record of income for tax purposes. This nine-digit number is referred to as a Social Security Number or SSN.

International students are not required to pay into the Social Security system until they have lived in the United States for any period of time during five calendar years (For the specific calculation of this, please refer to Mary Chenault in the Office of the Controller.). However, students and scholars are required to have a social security number if employed. Students and scholars may encounter various requests for an SSN for identification purposes while conducting business in the United States. The SSN is often used by banks as an access code; for example, if a student phoned her bank and asked for her current balance, she may be asked for the last four digits of her SSN to verify her identity. Other agencies may ask for the SSN as a way to distinguish the student from other people. However, unless a student or scholar must pay taxes, she or he does not need to have an SSN.

Q: Do I need a Social Security Number (SSN)
A:Social Security Numbers are meant for tax purposes only. If a student or scholar is receiving wages from an employer in the US (such as students receiving a stipend from Emory), she or he will need a Social Security Number. An international student or scholar can only receive an SSN only if legally permitted to accept employment in the US.

Q: If I get a Social Security Number, does it mean I can accept any job?
A: NO! SSNs are given to persons with some type of work permission, the SSN itself is not work authorization. Work authorization for non-immigrants (persons who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents) is controlled by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). ISSP staff can provide more information about work authorization.

Q:Do I need a number before I can be employed in the US?
A:Any person who will be employed in the US must have an SSN. Human Resources at Emory will assign a “dummy” ID number to a student or scholar until the SSN is received. Students and scholars SHOULD NOT USE the “dummy” ID number assigned by Emory as an ID number anywhere else outside of Emory! No tax treaty benefits will apply until the student or scholar obtains the SSN and provides a copy of the SSN card to Mary Chenault in the Office of the Controller, at 1599 Clifton Road.

Q:I have been given a student ID number by Emory University. Do I still need a SSN? Do I have to change my ID number?
A: A student ID number assigned by any Emory department is not an SSN. Students do not need to change their ID number. However, when students and scholars obtain their SSN, they should notify Susan Newborn in the division of Data Services in Human Resources at 404-727-7563AND Mary Chenault in the Office of the Controller immediately.

Q: I need to apply for a Georgia Driver’s License, and I was told that I need to have an SSN in order to apply for one. How can I obtain a Georgia Driver’s License if I cannot get an SSN?
A: Students must show either that they have an SSN or official evidence that they are not eligible for an SSN before they can obtain a GA Driver’s License. Official evidence is a Form SSAL-676 (essentially a “denial” or “rejection” letter) from the SSA office that they will issue to those not eligible for an SSN when they apply for it. This letter will waive the requirement that they have an SSN in order to apply for the Driver’s License. Students must take all of their relevant immigration documents (see chart below) and visit the SSA office *before* the GA Department of Driver Services to apply and receive the SSAL-676

Q:When do I apply for the SSN?
A:Students and scholars should not attempt to apply for the SSN until they have been in the US for more than 10 business days. This is to ensure that their entry information has been reported from the US Point of Entry to the central database that the Social Security Administration will need to access to confirm their legal status before issuing the number. Application forms are available at ISSP and at the SSA office. The SSN application process is free, and no appointment is necessary. However, it is best to go early in the morning to one of the local SSA offices. Applicants should take with them a completed SSN application form and their original documents (see chart). For non-EAD based F-1 student employment (CPT and on-campus employment), SSA will not process an application for an SSN if it is more than 30 days in advance of the scheduled employment start date. In the case of EAD-based F-1 employment (Optional Practical Training), the employment start date on the EAD must already have been reached before SSA will process the application for an SSN.

Q:How long does it take to get the SSN?
A:On average, it takes two weeks to receive the SSN. The SSA office must check if the applicant’s information is currently in the Department of Homeland Security’s database called SAVE. If the applicant’s information is not yet in the database or if there is a discrepancy between the applicant’s immigration documents and the database, the SSA must send an inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security. The SSA cannot process the SSN application until the Department of Homeland Security has verified the applicant’s immigration status and information. Consequently, the application process may be significantly delayed. In general, the SSA representative who processes the SSN application will notify the applicant in writing that a verification process with the Department of Homeland Security is underway so that the student or scholar is aware of the additional time needed. If a student or scholar encounters this situation, there is nothing ISSP or the SSA can do to expedite the process. However, if a student or scholar still has not received her or his SSN five weeks after submitting the application AND has not been informed that an additional verification process is needed, she or he may contact the ISSP staff to find out if there are any steps that can be taken. The SSN card is a valuable document which should be kept safely with personal records. Students and scholars should carry the original card with her or him only when using it for official business, such as getting onto payroll. Students and scholars should not keep it in their wallet. If the card is not sent, students and scholars will need to contact the SSA office to inquire.

What documents do I need to bring with me to the SSA office?

Visa Type

Required Documents

F1 Students

Authorization for on campus work, CPT or OPT is required

Passport;
Form I-20 issued by Emory University;
I-94 Card;
Employment authorization, such as on-campus work stamp on I-20 from ISSP, OR CPT designation on I-20 OR OPT card;
Letter from Designated School Official (ISSP) that identifies you, confirms you are enrolled in a full course of study and eligible for employment, identifies your employer and the type of work you are, or will be, doing.
Letter from employer: For on-campus employment, an employment verification letter written by the department employing you at Emory. Your supervisor must sign and date the employment letter. This letter must describe: your job; the number of hours you are, or will be, working; your supervisor's name and telephone number and Employer Identification Number; your employment start date. Sample on-campus employment verification letters are in the ISSP office and on the ISSP website.

J-1 Students

Authorization for employment is required.

Passport;
Form DS-2019;
I-94 Card;
Letter from Program Sponsor/Responsible Officer authorizing employment. (J-1 students NOT sponsored by Emory University: You must obtain this authorization letter from your program sponsor; ISSP cannot provide this letter.) J-1 students may also need to show additional evidence of employment.

J-1 Scholar

Verification of status may be requested.

Passport;
Form DS-2019;
I-94 Card;
Appointment Letter from Department may be helpful.

J-2 Dependent

Can apply for an SSN only if authorized for employment.

Passport;
Form DS-2019;
I-94 Card;
Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

H-1B, O-1, TN Scholars

Status implies employment authorization.

Passport;
I-797 Approval Notice;
I-94 Card.

Where do I apply for an SSN?

There are several locations in the Atlanta area. Three of the closest locations are listed below.

South DeKalb SSA Office:

Address: The nearest SSA office to Emory University is located at One South Dekalb Center, South Dekalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30034.
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am until 3:30 pm, excluding holidays.
Directions by Emory Shuttle: South Dekalb Mall is accessible through the Cliff (Emory University) South Dekalb shuttle. The South Dekalb shuttle transports passengers in between Emory University and South Dekalb Mall every weekday. Upon arrival at South Dekalb mall, One South Dekalb Center is directly in front of you as you depart the shuttle. You will see the Social Security Administration office to the left of the arched entrance to One South Dekalb Center.

A sample Emory Shuttle schedule is below:

South DeKalb Mall - Woodruff Circle Departure times

7:35 AM; 8:20 AM; 8:30 AM; 9:35 AM *; 10:05 AM *; 2:40 PM; 3:20 PM; 4:00 PM; 4:40 PM; 5:20 PM; 6:00 PM; 6:40 PM

Please note: If visiting the SSA office in the morning (which we recommend, to avoid prolonged waiting times), please note that that you should try to complete your appointments before 9:30 am. *The 9:35 am and 10:05 am shuttles DO NOT return to the mall once passengers unload at Woodruff Circle. If you are unable to return to Emory on the morning route, please note that there is a lot to do and see in South Dekalb Mall, including world-class shopping, restaurants and a movie theatre!

The South Dekalb shuttle departs from Woodruff Circle on Emory University’s main campus approximately 35 minutes after the departure times listed under South Dekalb Mall. Similarly, the shuttle departs from the parking lot of South Dekalb Mall (in front of the Firestone store, approximately 35 minutes after the times listed under Woodruff Circle. Travel time is approximately 35-40 minutes in between the two points, depending on traffic.

Downtown SSA Office:

Address: Suite 2860, 401 W. Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308. Phone: 404-331-4155 or 1-800-772-1213.
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am until 3:30 pm, excluding holidays.
Directions by MARTA: Catch Bus #6 Northbound at the bus stop at the corner of Clifton and North Decatur Roads (Visit MARTA’s website at www.itsmarta.com for bus and train schedules and routes. Bus #6 runs nearly every 20 minutes). Ride it for approximately 20 minutes to the Lindberg MARTA Center Station. Exit the bus and board the southbound train. Get off at the Civic Center (the fourth station after Lindbergh). Walk South on West Peachtree Street. The office is located in the Peachtree-Summit Federal Building at the corner of Ralph McGill Boulevard and West Peachtree Street. Be sure to check MARTA schedules before embarking on your journey.

Norcross SSA Office:

Address: 4365 Shackleford Road, Norcross, GA 30093. Phone: 678-380-5827 or 1-800-772-1213.
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am until 3:30 pm, excluding holidays.
Directions by car: Bear left on North Decatur Road NE – go 1.5 miles. Turn left on Scott Boulevard – go 0.6 mile. Bear right on US-29 North – go .06 mile. US-29 North becomes US-78 East – go 1.1 miles. Take the I-285 exit towards Greenville – go 5 miles. Take exit #33 onto I-85 North towards Greenville – go 7.3 miles. Take exit #102 /GA-378 onto Beaver Ruin Road NW towards Lilburn – go 0.5 mile. Turn left on Shackleford Road NW – go 0.4 mile. Arrive at 4365 Shackleford Road, Norcross, on the left. This trip will probably take 30-45 minutes in non-peak traffic times.

Map to Norcross SSA office