Eligibility for a Social Security Number
In most cases, if you have a job or are preparing to begin work, you must apply for a Social Security number (SSN).
- J-1 Exchange Visitors in the Professor, Research Scholar or Short-term Scholar categories, who will receive payment from Notre Dame are automatically eligible based on the nature of their visa, but they must still apply
- J-2 Dependents of J-1 Exchange Visitors are not eligible unless they obtain work authorization from USCIS
- H-1B, TN, E-3, and O-1 employees are automatically eligible based on their status
If you are not paid by the University of Notre Dame or a U.S. institution, you cannot obtain a SSN. Scholars and dependents without a job may obtain a Letter of Social Security Number Ineligibility which can be used to apply for an Indiana Driver’s License.
Your NDID number is NOT a temporary Social Security number. Do NOT enter your NDID number on any tax forms, applications for credit cards, utilities, etc. When filling out forms that request your Social Security number, indicate that you have applied for the number, or leave it blank, as the case may be.
Waiting to Apply
J-1 Exchange Visitors should wait 48+ hours after receiving an email from issa@nd.edu confirming that their program has been validated before applying for a Social Security number.
H-1B, O-1, TN, and E-3 Employees should wait 10+ days after arriving in the U.S. to apply for a Social Security number.
Where to Apply
All applications begin online, but require a visit to a Social Security Administration office. To get to the Social Security Administration office in South Bend at 602 S Michigan St, take bus #7 from the Library Circle to the South Street Station. The office is across the street from the bus station.
Application Instructions
J-1 Exchange Visitors (Scholars)
To allow for your entry data to reach the SSA, wait 48+ hours after arriving in the U.S., and then submit the SS-5 application online and schedule an appointment with the SSA. At your scheduled appointment, take the application confirmation, your passport, your most recent I-94 record (printed), your appointment letter (printed), and your DS-2019 (printed) to the SSA.
H-1B and O-1 Employees
To allow for your entry data to reach the SSA, wait 10+ days after arriving in the U.S., and then submit the SS-5 application online. Then, take the application confirmation, passport, most recent I-94 record, and H-1B or O-1 Approval notice to the Social Security Administration office.
TN or E-3 Employees
To allow for your entry data to reach the SSA, wait 10+ days after arriving in the U.S., then submit the SS-5 application online. Then, take the application confirmation, passport, most recent I-94 record, and TN or E-3 Approval notice (if an I-129 was filed) to the Social Security Administration office.
Receiving the SSN Card
The card should arrive in the mail from the Social Security Administration within six weeks of the visit to the SSA. Follow up with the SSA if it does not arrive after six weeks.
After receiving the card, report the SSN to Notre Dame by taking your SSN card and NDid to HR and completing the FNIS profile (via Inside.nd.edu).
Obtaining a Letter of Social Security Number Ineligibility Application Instructions
These instructions are appropriate for scholars or their dependents.
Step One: Complete check-in with ISSA
Step Two: Submit the SS-5 application online
Step Three: Apply for SSN in person at the Social Security Administration (SSA) office, 602 S Michigan St in South Bend. To get to the Social Security Administration office, take bus #7 from the Library Circle to the South Street Station. The office is across the street from the bus station. Bring your appointment letter, your completed application and the following documents:
- Passport
- Visa (except for citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
- Printed copy of most recent I-94 record
- Form DS-2019
Step Four: Your Letter of SSN Ineligibility may be given to you immediately, or you may need to wait for the letter to arrive by mail from the Social Security Administration.
Step Five: Report your SSN to University systems, including Human Resources (Grace Hall) and FNIS (inside.nd.edu)
Working on Campus before Receiving a Social Security Number
A scholar may begin a term of employment without a Social Security number, but must apply and inform the University immediately after obtaining a Social Security number.
When filling out the required W-4 form, write on the line that reads SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER “applied for” and attach to your document the ndID number (9 number) issued by the University. As soon as you have received your Social Security number, you must present your Social Security card to Human Resources in Grace Hall.
Questions?
Additional information about obtaining a Social Security Number or a Letter of Social Security number Ineligibility can be found on the Social Security Administration website. You may also call the local Social Security Administration Office at (877) 274-5415.
Please notify ISSA by emailing issa@nd.edu if you encounter any difficulties while applying for either a Social Security number or a Letter of Social Security Number Ineligibility.