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

[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