Everyone needs to get a social security card at some point in their lives. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or you need to a card replacement, you need to go through the application process. Filling out a social security application form is a serious business. If not properly executed, there could be delays and miscommunication which might impact any of your future accords with your employment, insurance, bank accounts, and many others. Here are five tips that you can keep in mind when filling out a social security application.
1- Write Legibly
The social security card application form can be exhaustive, but you have to understand that all the information that you provide are equally important. You will be asked to provide some personal information such as your name, social security number, place and date of birth, citizenship, ethnicity, and your parent’s name and social security number. You do not have to have the best penmanship because you only need to write clearly so that anyone other than yourself can understand what details were written.
2- Prepare all the Requirements in Advance
Filling out a social security card application form is easy enough especially if you have all the required documentation prepared in advance. For instance, birth certificate and passport are required to provide evidence for your age. If the SS card application form requires some information such as your passport number and its expiration date, then you will be relieved to have brought your passport along. Aside from evidentiary support for age, you should also have a couple of identification cards such as a driver’s license or a state-issued card.
3- Don’t Rush
The biggest mistake that you can do is to rush filling out a social security card application form. Missing a single letter or adding an extra space erroneously can cause havoc to your application. You might also miss ticking a vital box or interchange date and month for your birthday. If you make any mistake, your application will not get processed, and you have to redo your application. To avoid this situation, you can fill out the form using an erasable pen or pencil first. This way, you can adjust the size of you write so that everything fits.
4- Ask if Anything is Unclear
If there is anything unclear about the form, don’t just guess. Don’t write anything unless you are entirely sure. If you are submitting the application form in person, then you can come up to personnel from the social security office and ask him or her to clarify what information is being requested of you. If you are a filling out the information at home, you can ask someone who has the knowledge and experience of applying for a card or search online.
5- Recheck Everything
This should be stressed repeatedly, but you have to go through the application form once again before submitting it. Take a few minutes to check that you have supplied the correct information, ticked the necessary boxes, and signed the forms legibly. Even if you are applying online, you still have to review your answers. Save yourself the time and trouble before hitting that submit button.
