Another one of those 'anti-terrorism' law-bundles I hate so much...

[wolfwings]

...in this case, imagine what would happen if you lost your social security card, and were told you couldn't get another one when you went to apply for something like a drivers license or what-not?

Since 2004, specifically when the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 went into effect, there is now a lifetime limit of 10 cards issued, and a yearly limit of 3 cards issued to an individual. Sure, there's a 'case-by-case basis' exemption from that, but geezus... This had to be 'in effect' by 2005, so next year is theoretically the first time you'll hear about anyone being up shit creek without a paddle on this issue.

I hadn't really heard details about it until I had to get my card replaced. And the worst part? You can't laminate or otherwise reasonably protect your card either, so if you don't have a steady home you could be easilly screwed by this law.

Comments

[shabm.livejournal.com]

I (and by 'I' I mean my parents) lost mine a few years ago, and it took years to get a replacement. I don't currently have access to it.

After 21 or so, you need a driver's license to get a social security card, and you always need a social security card to get a driver's license. Oh, and my state-issued ID card was declared illegitimate 10 days after September 11, because it was issued 2 days earlier... when I flew in the plane to Microsoft TechEd, they actually pulled me out of the line for that.

Yeesh... *hugs*

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

...should get your own replacement copy if you can, skunk. It's not like they invalidate previous copies when you get a new one at least. They specifically say they can't do that, in fact.

[tothwolf.livejournal.com]

Why can't you laminate social security card? I'd never heard of that. How about one of those baseball card protector things that are used for high value cards?

Because of how they've chosen to protect against counterfeiting.

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

There is at least one non-destructive test that requires physical access to the paper of the car, I.E. a pen-swipe with a special pen. So while it's not directly illegal to laminate your card, it can cause it to be out-right refused. I've had that happen once, so I had to go get another card that wasn't laminated.

Then I lost that wallet, since I had nowhere long-term to keep important documents. Oops, two down.

[degaetus.livejournal.com]

Keep it in a clear / protective pocket in your wallet. If you have no wallet or lose your wallet more than three times per year, there is something more wrong with you than needing to re-issue your SS card so often.

For most folks, it should be okay.

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

But I know that, for example, I've gone through probably four cards to date. I lost my first card a couple weeks after finally being handed it, because I had it in my wallet and it was during the time when folks were breaking into my gym locker and showing my stuff into trash cans and soaking it in the showers, etc, etc.

Second one? Same story. Stopped taking my wallet to school entirely then.

Third one I had for almost six years, but I lost it too. Unknown when/where.

Fourth lasted a matter of days because we did a house-wide cleaning and the box of 'rubbish' it was in (all my gas reciepts for 2007 so far, some other papers) got thrown out wholesale.

It's quite possible to just have bad luck, honestly. And with the requirement to have a SS card to apply for most jobs, or to get a drivers license at all now in most-if-not-all states, having a lifetime limit on the number of replacement cards you can get is problematic to say the least.

Re: For most folks, it should be okay.

[degaetus.livejournal.com]

I've had one. I will need to replace it soon due to having been pick-pocketed... But there's zero control over theft, that's for sure. High-school sucked for a lot of people, but you wouldn't need an SS card in your wallet throughout HS. Losing stuff or misplacing it; especially, those things you can't replace limitlessly? Yikes, man. No offense, but you should be taking better care of important belongings. :P

[yokenlynx.livejournal.com]

I've had mine in my wallet since I was 14, and it hasn't suffered any damage or detriment in the 20 years that I've had it...

*nods* For most people it's fine.

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

But the arbitrary 'you get 10 replacements in your LIFETIME' limit is one that I'm just waiting to trip someone up. It's a limit that really serves no purpose that I can see, except trying to punish those that don't have the physical security in their lives to be able to maintain such a card. So mostly the briefly homelsss or teenagers that don't know better and screw up with their card repeatedly when they're first on their own.

[morganhillchris.livejournal.com]

Here's an idea:
Put the original in a safety deposit box & get an obvious (black & white) photocopy to laminate & carry.
This does two things; 1) you've secured the original, but have access as needed. 2) with the obvious copy, you may be able to show it as 'proof', until you get @ the original. And, being a copy, no one can say that you're scamming anyone with a fake.

It's not ideal, but most times you don't need to carry the original unless traveling, opening an acct. somewhere or job applying. It's just a second for of id & for that kind of 'casual' use you can explain that you've got the original @ the bank under lock & key.

This is a good idea.

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

And probably what I'll end up doing, actually. But this annoyance-factor is less 'me bitching about my inconvenience' and more me bitching about a limit defined over a person's lifetime. Meaning someone can (literally now) get screwed, unable to open any more accounts or renew their drivers license unless they manage to get a 'case by case' exception to get a new card.

This isn't something I honestly fear happening to me, but something I'm sure will screw someone over, for no good reason but 'anti terrorism' as an excuse. =-.-=

Re: This is a good idea.

[morganhillchris.livejournal.com]

Oh, I absolutely agree with you on this! I don't see how it'll stop any of the fraud, especially since the serious suppliers of illegal cards just print 'em anyways.
I also believe that you're correct that it'll help to disenfranchise the marginal populations & rat-fuck the homeless too....

Re: This is a good idea.

[aerowolf.livejournal.com]

I actually ended up using a copy of my social security award letter, once, because I've already used 5 of my 10 lifetime replacements. (Note that the limit is set retroactively, as far as I can tell.)