To get a duplicate card because yours was lost or stolen or a corrected card because you have changed your name does not cost you a fee. To use this FREE service you'll need to complete an application for a Social Security card. Form SS-5 is available for download at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html You can also obtain Form SS-5 by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office.

Show evidence of your identity. If you need a corrected card, we need to see one or more documents which identify you by the old name on our records and your new name. The document showing your current identity must be of recent issuance so that we can determine your continued existence. Show evidence of your U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were born outside the U.S. Your duplicate card will have the same name and number as your previous card. Your corrected card will have your new name and the same number as your previous card. When requesting a Social Security number card, the documents presented as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence since we cannot verify their authenticity. We will return your original documents.

Identity: We must see a document in the name you want shown on the card. The identity document must be of recent issuance so that we can determine your continued existence. We prefer to see a document with a photograph. However, we may generally accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify you (e.g., your name as well as your age, date of birth, or parents' names). We cannot accept a birth certificate or hospital birth record as evidence of identity.

Some documents that we may accept as proof of identity are: driver's license, marriage or divorce record, military records, adoption record, life insurance policy, passport, health insurance card (not a Medicare card), and school ID card.

Citizenship: We may accept most documents that show you were born in the U.S. If you are a U.S. citizen born outside the U.S., show us a U.S. consular report of birth, a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Certificate of Naturalization.

Alien Status: We need to see an unexpired document issued to you by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), such as Form I-551, I-94, I-688B, or I-766. We CANNOT accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., we can issue you a Social Security card if you are lawfully here and need the number for a valid nonwork reason. Your card will be marked to show you cannot work. If you do work, we will notify DHS. If you’re a noncitizen, we must verify your documents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before we issue a SSN card.

We will issue the card within two days of receiving verification from DHS. Most of the time, we can quickly verify your documents online with DHS. If DHS can’t verify your documents online, it may take several weeks or months to respond to Social Security's request. For more details, please see the answer to the frequently asked question, "How is SSA protecting Social Security numbers?" Mail or bring the application and evidence in person to your local Social Security office. You can find that office at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/locator/. Your documents will be returned to you. You should receive your card within two weeks of the date we have all the information we need to process your request. (You will be advised if there will be a delay; for example, if your U.S. birth certificate, or for a non-citizen, your DHS document, must be verified.) If you have not received your card within the specified time frame, contact the Social Security office where you filed the application and they will investigate to see why it is being delayed.

Where can I find information on the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003?

President Bush signed the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 into law on December 8, 2003. This new law preserves and strengthens the current Medicare program, adds important new coverage for prescriptions and preventive benefits, and provides extra help to people with low incomes. You can choose to stay with the Medicare coverage you have now or enroll in new options. For answers to your questions about the new prescription drug benefits, see the frequently asked questions at Medicare.gov, the official U.S. government site for Medicare information.

What are the tax, benefit, and earning amounts for 2004?

The Social Security cost-of-living (COLA) increases for 2004 were announced on October 16, 2003. 2004 SOCIAL SECURITY CHANGES Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2002 through the third quarter of 2003, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a 2.1 percent COLA for 2004.

Other important 2004 Social Security information is as follows. Tax Rate 2003-2004: Employee 7.65%, Self-Employed 15.30%. NOTE: The 7.65% tax rate is the combined rate for Social Security and Medicare. The Social Security portion (OASDI) is 6.20% on earnings up to the applicable taxable maximum amount (see below). The Medicare portion (HI) is 1.45% on all earnings.

Maximum Earnings Taxable: 2003-2004 Social Security (OASDI only): $87,000-$87,900, Medicare (HI only): no limit Quarter of Coverage: 2003 2004 Earnings required $890 $900 Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts: 2003 2004 Under full retirement age NOTE: One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in earnings above the limit. $11,520/yr. ($960/mo.) $11,640/yr. ($970/mo.)

Year individual reaches full retirement age NOTE: Applies only to earnings for months prior to attaining full retirement age. One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $3 in earnings above the limit. $30,720/yr. ($2,560/mo.) $31,080/yr. ($2,590/mo.) There is no limit on earnings beginning the month an individual attains full retirement age (65 and 2 months for retirees born in 1938; 65 and 4 months for those born in 1939).

Social Security Disability Thresholds 2003 2004 Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Non-Blind $800/mo. $810/mo. Blind $1,330/mo. $1,350/mo. Trial Work Period (TWP) $570/mo. $580/mo.

Maximum Social Security Benefit: Worker Retiring at Full Retirement Age in March 2003 (Age 65 and 2 months) March 2004 (Age 65 and 4 months) NOTE: For retirees born in 1938, full retirement age is 65 and 2 months; for those born in 1939, it is 65 and 4 months. Full retirement age will gradually increase to age 67 for those born in 1960 or later. $1,741/mo. $1,825/mo. SSI Federal Payment Standard: 2003 2004 Individual $552/mo. $564/mo. Couple $829/mo $846/mo.

SSI Resources Limits: 2003 2004 Individual $2,000 $2,000 Couple $3,000 $3,000 SSI Student Exclusion Limits: 2003 2004 Monthly Limit $1,340 $1,370 Annual Limit $5,410 $5,520 Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Payable in January 2004: Before 2.1% COLA After 2.1% COLA All Retired Workers $ 903 $922 Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits $1,492 $1,523 Widowed Mother and Two Children $1,865 $1,904 Aged Widow(er) Alone $ 870 $ 888 Disabled Worker, Spouse and One or More Children $1,412 $1,442 All Disabled Workers $ 844 $ 862

How do I get a SSN card if I have never had one?

To apply for a Social Security number and card, you need to complete Form SS-5 which is available for download at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html, or you can obtain Form SS-5 by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. These services are free. You will also need to submit at least two documents as evidence of your age, identity, and U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.

Age: We prefer to see your birth certificate. However, we can accept other documents, such as a religious record made before you were 3 months old. If you were born in the U.S. and applying for a SSN at age one or older, we must verify your birth certificate or other evidence of age with the issuing agency, generally the State Birth Registrar's office, prior to processing your application. If you were born outside the U.S., we can accept your passport if your birth certificate is not with you in the United States.

Identity: We must see a document in the name you want shown on the card. The identity document must be of recent issuance so that we can determine your continued existence. We prefer to see a document with a photograph. However, we can generally accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify you (e.g., your name as well as your age, date of birth, or parents’ names). We cannot accept a birth certificate or hospital birth record as evidence of identity. Some documents that we often accept as proof of identity are: driver's license, marriage or divorce record, military records, employer ID card, adoption record, life insurance policy, passport, health insurance card (not a Medicare card), and school ID card.

Citizenship: We can accept most documents that show you were born in the U.S. If you are a U.S. citizen born outside the U.S., show us a U.S. consular report of birth, a U.S. passport, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Certificate of Naturalization.

Alien Status: We need to see an unexpired document issued to you by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), such as Form I-551, I-94, I-688B, or I-766. We CANNOT accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. Your documents must show that you are authorized to work in the United States. If you’re a noncitizen, we must verify your documents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before we issue a SSN card. We will issue the card within two days of receiving verification from DHS.

Most of the time, we can quickly verify your documents online with DHS. If DHS can’t verify your documents online, it may take several weeks or months to respond to Social Security's request. For more details, please see the answer to the frequently asked question, "How is SSA protecting Social Security numbers?" If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., we can issue you a Social Security card if you are lawfully here and need the number for a valid nonwork reason. Your card will be marked to show you cannot work. If you do work, we will notify DHS.

SSA will currently issue SSNs to noncitizens who are not otherwise eligible for SSNs for the following nonwork purposes: a federal statute or regulation requires that the non-citizen provide his/her SSN to get the particular benefit or service or a state or local law requires the noncitizen to provide his/her SSN to get general assistance benefits to which he/she has established entitlement. NOTE: Effective October 27, 2003 we do not assign an SSN when your only reason for needing an SSN is to comply with a state statute requiring an SSN for the issuance of a driver’s license. Under these circumstances, the application for an SSN must be accompanied by documentation from the appropriate government entity explaining the need for the SSN. The documentation must be dated and on letterhead stationery. It must specifically identify the noncitizen, the nonwork reason for which an SSN is required, the relevant statute or regulation, and the name and telephone number of an official to contact so that the information provided may be verified. It should state that the noncitizen completed all the requirements to receive the benefit/service except for an SSN. If you believe that you qualify for a Social Security number based on the above, you may obtain an application from http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies of documents. We need original documents or copies certified by the custodian of the record. Notarized copies are also not acceptable. NOTE: An in-person interview must be conducted if the applicant is age 12 or older and is applying for an original SSN. Mail or bring the application and evidence in person to your local Social Security office. You can find that office at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/locator/. Your documents will be returned to you. You should receive your card within two weeks of the date if we have all the information we need to process your request. (You will be advised if there will be a delay, for example, if your U.S. birth certificate or for a non-citizen, your DHS document must be verified.) If you have not received your card within the specified time frame, contact the Social Security office where you filed the application and they will investigate to see why it is being delayed.