Social Security Number Information
A Social Security number (SSN) is a lifelong nine-digit number that the U.S. government issues to eligible individuals to track income and the number of years worked.
Students and scholars who are employed by Brandeis, including on-campus positions, research appointments, and Ph.D. fellowships, or who have been authorized for off-campus employment may be eligible to apply for a Social Security number (SSN.)
If you are not eligible for a Social Security number, but you would like to apply for a driver's license, you can apply for a "Denial Letter," at the Social Security Administration (SSA.) A Denial Letter is required for any individual without a social security number, to apply for a Massachusetts Learner's Permit/Driver's License/State ID.
Obtaining an SSN
Depending on your immigration status and employment authorization there are different processes to follow to apply for a Social Security number.
Follow the appropriate guidelines below:
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On-Campus Employment
Students who have been offered on-campus employment are eligible to apply for an SSN. New students should complete the ISSO Check-In and wait approximately 10-12 days after their most recent entry to the U.S. in F-1 status to apply. This is to ensure that their SEVIS record can be verified as "Active." It is not possible to apply for an SSN with an employment start date that is more than 30 days in the future.
SSN Application Process:
Step 1: Complete section 1 and 2 of the International Student On-Campus Employment Form (pdf) with your hiring manager.
Step 2: Submit the "On-Campus Employment Form Request" in the ISSO Portal. An ISSO Advisor will review and sign section 3 of the form and upload the completed document to the portal.
Step 3: Complete the SSN Online Application
Step 4: Schedule an appointment at a Social Security Administration Office within 45 days of completion of the online application.
Step 5: Visit the Social Security Administration Office and bring the following documents:
- Control Number (received upon completion of the SSN Online Application)
- Completed "International Student On-Campus Employment Form"
- Valid passport
- F-1 Visa
- Most recent Form I-20
- Most recent Form I-94
Off-Campus Employment
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
If you are authorized for CPT, the earliest you can apply for a social security number is 30 days before the start date of your CPT.
Step 1: Complete the SSN Online Application
Step 2: Schedule an appointment at a Social Security Administration Office within 45 days of completion of the online application.
Step 3: Visit the Social Security Administration Office and bring the following documents:
- Control Number (received upon completion of the SSN Online Application)
- Valid passport
- F-1 Visa
- Form I-20 with CPT authorization
- Most recent Form I-94
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
If you are applying for OPT, you can request a social security number from your local Social Security Administration Office after you receive your OPT EAD card. The earliest you can apply for a social security number is not until the start date of your EAD. Please do not request your SSN number with your OPT application because the Social Security Administration no longer processes SSNs and OPT EADs together.
Step 1: Complete the SSN Online Application
Step 2: Schedule an appointment at a Social Security Administration (SSA) Office within 45 days of completion of the SSA online application.
Step 3: Visit the Social Security Administration Office and bring the following documents:
- Control Number (received upon completion of the SSN Online Application)
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Form I-20 with OPT authorization
- Valid passport
- F-1 Visa
- Copy of most recent Form I-94
J-1 Students can apply for a social security number with or without a job. New students should complete the ISSO Check-In and wait approximately 10-12 days after their most recent entry to the U.S. in J-1 status to apply. This ensures that their SEVIS record can be verified as "Active."
SSN Application Process
If your Program Sponsor (the organization that issued your Form DS-2019) is not Brandeis University, you will have to contact your Program Sponsor directly to request a "J-1 SSN Letter."
If your Program Sponsor is Brandeis University and you do not have a job offer:
Step 1: Request a "J-1 SSN Letter" by emailing the ISSO at isso@brandeis.edu. The letter will be prepared and uploaded to the ISSO Portal for you to download.
Step 2: Complete the SSN Online Application
Step 3: Schedule an appointment at a Social Security Administration Office within 45 days of completion of the online application.
Step 4: Visit the Social Security Administration Office and bring the following documents:
- Control Number (received upon completion of the SSN Online Application)
- J-1 SSN Letter
- Form DS-2019
- Valid passport
- J-1 Visa
- Copy of most recent Form I-94
If your Program Sponsor is Brandeis University and you have an on-campus job offer:
Step 1: Go to the ISSO Portal and complete a "Student On-Campus Employment (J-1) Request" to obtain a "J-1 On-Campus Employment Letter." The letter will be prepared and uploaded to the ISSO Portal for you to download.
Step 2: Complete the SSN Online Application
Step 3: Schedule an appointment at a Social Security Administration Office within 45 days of completion of the online application.
Step 4: Visit the Social Security Administration Office and bring the following documents:
- Control Number (received upon completion of the SSN Online Application)
- J-1 On-Campus Employment Letter
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Form DS-2019
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Valid Passport
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J-1 Visa
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If your Program Sponsor is Brandeis University and you have been authorized for Academic Training:
Step 1: Complete the SSN Online Application
Step 3: Schedule an appointment at a Social Security Administration Office within 45 days of completion of the online application.
Step 4: Visit the Social Security Administration Office and bring the following documents:
- Control Number (received upon completion of the SSN Online Application)
- J-1 Employment Letter
- Form DS-2019 with AT authorization
- Valid passport
- J-1 Visa
- Copy of most recent Form I-94
J-1 research scholars, short-term scholars, and professors may apply for an SSN as early as 30 days before the Form DS-2019 program start date. If you have recently arrived, you should wait at least two business days after completing your ISSO Check-In to ensure that your SEVIS record can be verified as "active." H-1B scholars may apply for an SSN on, or after, the "valid from" date on their Form I-797B Approval Notice.
Step 1: Complete the SSN Online Application
Step 2: Schedule an appointment at a Social Security Administration Office within 45 days of completion of the online application.
Step 3: Visit the Social Security Administration Office and bring the following documents:
- Control Number (received upon completion of the SSN Online Application)
- Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visa holder)/Form I-797B (for H-1B holders)
- Valid passport
- Visa
- Copy of most recent Form I-94
Once you have gathered all of the required documents to apply for an SSN in your specific situation, you will need to schedule an appointment and go to the Social Security Administration Office to apply for your SSN in person.
To locate the nearest SSA Office use the Social Security Office Locator. Please note that you are required to schedule an appointment in order to apply in person.
The Waltham SSA Office is located at:
309 Waverly Oaks Road, Suite 306, 3rd floor
Waltham, MA 02452
If your SSN application is accepted, you will receive a receipt confirming that you have applied for an SSN. For more detailed information on how to apply for an SSN, visit the Social Security Administration website.
After you apply for an SSN, your Social Security card will be sent to you by mail within 12-15 business days at the address that you indicated on your SSN Application. Once you receive your card, keep it in a safe place and be cautious about sharing it with others. Remember that once you have a Social Security number, you do not need to apply for another one.
Keep in mind that having a Social Security number does not authorize you for employment. For information on employment authorization please visit the Employment/Internship page on our website.