How to Get a Different Social Security Number

If you are under the watchful eye of a stalker or dealing with harassment, intimidation, or abuse from a spouse, consider getting a new Social Security number for increased privacy and protection. Changing your Social Security number allows you to prevent the abuser or stalker from finding vital and confidential information about you and your whereabouts. This is the first step in the relocation and new identity process.

Instructions

1. Contact the Social Security Administrations (SSA) about obtaining a new Social Security number. According to the Social Security Administration, "New Social Security numbers (SSN) can be provided to victims of abuse or stalking and victims of identity theft." The SSA changed its policy regarding requests to change social numbers to make it easier for abused or harassed individuals to escape their abusers as well as allow victims of identity theft to establish a new identity. For victims of abuse, police reports, medical records, photographs and affidavits must be provided to establish a history of abuse or stalking. Victims of identity theft would need to provide court documents, police reports, credit reports and other relevant documents to establish identity theft.

2. Understand the changes that will follow. According to End Stalking in America, the most common impact of getting a new Social Security number is: 1) The inability to get a passport or other federal documentation due to the lack of having a birth certificate under the new identity. 2) The loss of previous work history resulting in the victim having to accept positions for which he/she is overqualified or positions in which he/she has no experience. 3) Difficulties or delays in receiving Federal/State benefits, such as welfare, disability, or SSI. 4) Difficulty trying to prove past abuse if past medical records and court papers are in a different name. Victims of identity theft will suffer similar consequences. In addition to those outlined above, they will also have to start a new financial history.

3. Call the Social Security Administration to set up an appointment. Contact [phone] or visit a Social Security Administration (SSA) field office in your area to request an interview.

4. Request a new Social Security number; cite Program Operations Manual System (POMS) chapter RM 00205 if your request is immediately denied. Provide all evidence of abuse, stalking or identity fraud, and complete the application. If allowed, agree to interview with a field office manager when your application is accepted for approval. Provide all documents at that time.

5. Write a statement of request. Use the statement to overview all the incidence of abuse, stalking or identity fraud and ask that a new Social Security number be granted.

6. Provide evidence of identity, such as a birth certificate or driver's license. If your name has been changed legally, provide the original court order.

Tips & Warnings

• When applying for a new Social Security number, provide evidence such as court restraining orders; letters from shelters; letters and/or affidavits from family members, friends, counselors, or others with knowledge of the domestic violence. Provide all financial documents and statements from financial institutions that demonstrate identity fraud has taken place.

• Victims of domestic abuse should contact NCADV's Public Policy Office at [phone] or [e-mail] in the event that you are denied a new Social Security number.

Resources

• End Stalking in America
• SSA