Social Security Information

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique, 9-digit identification number, issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and qualified foreign nationals - including those in F and J status who meet the requirements as indicated below. Due to concerns regarding national security and identity theft, the SSA has put policies into place that make it much more difficult to obtain a Social Security number.

Who is eligible to apply for a Social Security number (SSN)?

F-1 students with on-campus employment
F-1 students must provide evidence that he/she has been authorized by the school to work and has secured employment before the SSN number will be issued. Thus, F-1 students will need a signature and authorization from the campus employer as well as OISS. Click here to download the F-1 Social Security letter.

F-1 students with CPT work authorization
Students in F-1 status on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) do not require an OISS letter to apply for an SSN; however, they must provide all of the other required documents indicated above, including I-20 with CPT authorization on the employment page (pg. 3).

F-1 students with OPT work authorization
Students in F-1 status on Optional Practical Training (OPT) do not require an OISS letter to apply for an SSN; however, they must provide all of the other required documents indicated above as well as their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

F-2 Dependents
F-2 spouses and children are not eligible to accept employment in the U.S., and are therefore not permitted to apply for SSNs. However, F-2 spouses and dependents may apply for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). For more information, please contact the MSU Tax Clinic.

J-1 students
J-1 students are eligible to apply for an SSN. J-1 students under MSU’s visa sponsorship should come to the OISS to get a J-1 Student Social Security letter. J-1 students NOT under MSU’s J-1 program sponsorship should contact the OISS for further information. Click here to download the J-1 Student Social Security letter.

J-1 scholars
J-1 scholars are eligible to apply for an SSN. Please come to the OISS to get the J-1 Scholar Social Security letter. Click here to download the J-1 Scholar Social Security letter.

J-2 Dependents
J-2 spouses and children who have been granted an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card by the DHS may apply for an SSN.

When can you apply?
International students and scholars should wait ten days after entering the US before applying for an SSN.

How to apply for a Social Security Number
In order to apply for a SSN, you must have the following documents:
1. Valid passport
2. Original I-94 Form (white card in your passport)
3. Original I-20 or DS-2019 form
4. Letter from OISS confirming your eligibility [If you are a sponsored student in J status, you need to obtain the letter from your sponsor]

Where can you apply?
The address of the Lansing Branch of the Social Security Administration is 5210 Perry Robinson Circle. The regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

How long does it take to obtain your SSN?
Once your application has been approved, the SSA will send a Social Security card to the address you provided when you submitted your application. Usual processing time is 2 weeks. If additional security procedures are necessary, processing times may range from 4-8 weeks.

Can you start working without a SSN?
In some cases at MSU, you may begin your employment without a SSN as long as your other hiring forms have been completed. When you receive your Social Security card, please provide a copy to your hiring department and/or the Payroll Office.
Please make sure you consult your hiring department administrator before beginning any employment.

Security and Identity Theft
Your Social Security card should be kept in a safe place and your SSN should be given out only as needed to guard against "identity theft." See http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft for more information on identity theft, or the SSA's information on Social Security fraud at: http://www.ssa.gov.

Office Location and Directions
Car:
From I-96, take Exit 104 and follow the signs to North-Bound South Cedar Street.
From MSU, go south on Hagadorn Road to Jolly Road and turn west (right). Travel on Jolly Road until you pass South Cedar St, turn south (left) onto Perry Robinson Circle (Skoog Court)

CATA Bus:
MSU requires taking Bus #1 to the Lansing Bus Station and transferring to Bus #5 going south to the corner of Jolly and South Cedar. Estimated travel time is 45 minutes, as Bus #1 runs every 10 minutes and Bus #5 runs every 20 minutes.

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They are closed on weekends and national holidays. Please check www.ssa.gov (click “Contact Us”)

Address:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle, Lansing MI 48911 (currently the sign reads Skoog Court)

Phone:
Local: (517) 393-3876
National: (800) 772-1213

Website:
www.ssa.gov

Map:
Please click here to get directions from mapquest from Yahoo!Maps.