Can I collect social security numbers from participants in Washington? What are the requirements?

Yes, you can collect Social Security numbers from participants in Washington under certain requirements.

Social Security number requirements

According to WAAC 388-476-0005, each person who applies for or receives cash or food assistance benefits must provide to the department a Social Security number (SSN), or numbers if more than one has been issued. If the person is unable to provide the SSN, either because it is not known or has not been issued, the person must apply for the SSN, provide proof that the SSN has been applied for, and provide the SSN when it is received. Assistance will not be delayed, denied, or terminated pending the issuance of an SSN by the Social Security Administration. However, a person who does not comply with these requirements is not eligible for assistance.

For cash and food assistance benefits, a person cannot be disqualified from receiving benefits for refusing to apply for or supply an SSN based on religious grounds. For food assistance programs, a person can receive benefits for the month of application and the following month if the person attempted to apply for the SSN and made every effort to provide the needed information to the Social Security Administration. For a person to receive benefits after the time period provided, good cause for failure to apply for the SSN must be shown monthly.

There is no SSN requirement for the consolidated emergency assistance program and the refugee cash assistance program.

Citizenship and immigration status—Social Security number (SSN) requirements.

According to WAAC 388-424-0009, any person who has applied for a Social Security number (SSN) as part of their application for benefits cannot have benefits delayed, denied, or terminated pending the issuance of the SSN by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The following benefit applicants are not required to apply for an SSN: (a) An alien, regardless of their immigration status, who is applying for a program listed in WAC 388-476-0005(6); (b) A nonqualified alien; (c) Members of a household who are not applying for benefits for themselves; and (d) Individuals who meet the definition of “survivor of certain crimes” as defined in WAC 388-424-0001(4). Qualified and nonqualified aliens who are applying for federal benefits but who are not authorized to work in the U.S., must still apply for a nonwork SSN. The department must assist them in this application without delay. Any person who is otherwise eligible for benefits may choose not to provide the department with an SSN without jeopardizing the eligibility of others in the household.

Verification of applicant’s identity.

According to WAAC 434-324-045, if you are provisionally registered pursuant to WAC 434-324-040(5), the county auditor may use other government resources and public records to confirm your driver’s license or state identification card number, valid tribal identification card, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. The county auditor may also attempt to contact you by phone, email or other means to obtain identification information. If, after these attempts, the county auditor is still unable to verify your identity, the county auditor must send you an identification notice at the time of registration that includes a postage prepaid, preaddressed form by which you may verify or send additional information. The identification notice must include a statement explaining that because your identity cannot be verified with the information provided on the application, you have been provisionally registered to vote. If this additional information is not provided, your ballot will not be counted. Federal law requires you to provide your driver’s license number, state identification card number, valid tribal identification card number or the last four digits of your Social Security number, or a copy of one of the following forms of identification, either before or when you vote: (i) Valid photo identification; (ii) A valid enrollment card of a federally recognized tribe in Washington; (iii) A current utility bill, or a current bank statement; (iv) A current government check; (v) A current paycheck; or (vi) A government document, other than a voter registration card, which shows both the registrant’s name and current address.

Therefore, you can collect Social Security numbers from participants in Washington who apply for or receive cash or food assistance benefits, but you must follow the requirements outlined in WAAC 388-476-0005. If you are verifying an applicant’s identity, you may use the last four digits of their Social Security number according to WAAC 434-324-045.

Jurisdiction

Washington

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