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

[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.