Social Security Number

Depending on your visa status, certain eligibility requirements, timelines, and options apply. Please be sure to read the information thoroughly and contact the office of multicultural and international student services with any questions.

Social Security Number

You need a Social Security number in order to get paid for employment. You cannot start employment until you have a Social Security number (or a receipt of application). In order for students to receive paid employment, they are required by law to obtain a Social Security number. F-1 students must secure a job before they can apply for a Social Security number. J-1 students do not need to have a job secured, but must receive work authorization from the global education office first.

STEPS for Applying for an SSN:

Note: F-1 students are only eligible to apply for an SSN card once a job offer is secured.

Once you have a job:

1. Ask your supervisor to print the "Employer Letter" (MUST BE PRINTED ON HAMPSHIRE LETTERHEAD) and complete/sign the document.

2. Gather the following documents. You must have your original documents and photocopies of each document.

• Completed Social Security Application Form.

In item 16, "Mailing Address," write:

c/o Payroll Office, Hampshire College
893 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002

• Valid passport with your F-1 visa

• Form I-20

• Most Recent Form I-94

• Completed Employer Letter (from step 1)

• SSN Application Receipt. Print yourself OR pick one up from the MISS office.

3. Take your documents (originals and copies) to the University of Massachusetts (date and location below). The University of Massachusetts will have the Social Security office on their campus to take applications. Make sure you ask the SSA officer at the University of Massachusetts session to sign and date the SSN Application Receipt.

Important: DO NOT FORGET that you MUST ask the SSA officer to sign your SSN Application Receipt for your application.

4. Submit your SSN Application Receipt to the Student Employment Office, located on the second floor of the Kern Center.

5. Once your card is received by Hampshire's payroll office, you will be contacted to pick it up.

6. Immediately upon picking up your card, present the SSN card to Janel Johnson for her to photocopy.

Note: Students CANNOT be paid until the Social Security Card is received by the student employment office.

Where to Apply?

There are two ways to apply:

• The University of Massachusetts has a Social Security representative on their campus once a semester to take applications.

Remember to bring your original documents and photocopies, as a photocopier is not guaranteed to be on-site.

Date: Wednesday, September 18
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Location: University of Massachusetts Campus Center, Room 165

Directions to the University of Massachusetts

By PVTA bus: Directions using public transport or use the PVTA website for more information.

By car: Driving directions.

Note: We highly recommend that you attend one of these sessions, since it is early in the school year and may be the least "waiting in line time."

• Apply on your own at the Holyoke Social Security Administration (SSA) office:

Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., or Wednesday, 9 a.m.-Noon

Address:   200 High Street
                   Second Floor
                   Holyoke, MA 01040

By PVTA bus: Directions using public transport or use the PVTA website for more information.

By car: Driving directions.

Note: Wait times vary and can sometimes take up to two hours.