Whether you apply for a Social Security Number or an ITIN depends on your visa status.
The ASF recommends that fellows holding a J-1 visa apply for a Social Security Number and fellows holding an F-1 visa apply for an ITIN.
How to Obtain a Social Security Number
To apply for a Social Security Number, go to a local Social Security Administration office after your arrival in the U.S. To find the nearest office, check the local telephone directory under U.S. Government Offices, Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, or call 1-800-772-1213 from anywhere in the U.S. at no charge.
It would be wise to allow 2-3 hours for your visit as Social Security offices are often crowded and you may have to wait one or two hours for a representative to help you.
Application Process
At the Social Security office, a Social Security representative will assist you in filling out the SS-5 form, “Application for a Social Security Card.” Along with the SS-5 form, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Your passport
- Your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, which can be accessed here
- Your DS-2019 sponsor certificate
- Your ASF award letter
Before leaving the Social Security office once your application is complete, be sure to get a receipt to prove that you applied for the Social Security Number.
As soon as you have your Social Security Number, you can fill out the tax forms required for payment of your ASF award. Please note that obtaining a Social Security Number or ITIN is VERY important! You will not be able to fill out the necessary tax forms required for payment of your ASF award without a Social Security Number or ITIN!!
Problems?
If the Social Security Office turns down your request for a Social Security number, please do the following:
Find out the specific reason your application has been denied;
Contact the ASF (grants@amscan.org) to discuss the next step to take.
Increased national security measures have slowed the verification process considerably, and it can currently take up to 2 months to receive your Social Security Number. Please remember that the ASF is not allowed to make award payments until you can provide this number, so please budget your finances accordingly.
How to Obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Application Process
You can begin the application process before arriving in the U.S. by filling out a W-7 form (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), available on the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) website.
Note that you will check Box F in the first section of the form (Reason you are submitting Form W-7) which indicates that you are a nonresident student, professor or researcher. You will also check Box H (Other) in the first section of the form.
Fellows from Iceland and Norway who are claiming the benefits of a tax treaty will then write “2b-Scholarship Income and claiming tax treaty benefits” in the space next to Box H. Fellows from Iceland and Norway must also enter the Treaty country and treaty article number in the space below Box H, which is 22(1) for Iceland and 16(1) for Norway.
Fellows from Denmark, Finland and Sweden who cannot claim the benefits of a tax treaty will write “2c-Scholarship Income” in the space next to Box H.
Once you have arrived in the U.S., you can apply for an ITIN by bringing your completed W-7 form to any IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. Along with the W-7 form, you must also bring the following documentation:
- Your passport
- Your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, which can be accessed here
- Your I-20 sponsor certificate or DS-2019/li>
- Your ASF award letter
- A copy of your university acceptance letter (if applicable)
- A letter from your visa sponsor certifying that you are not eligible for a social security number
- Your W8-BEN form see instructions (Norway & Iceland fellows only)
Before leaving the IRS office once your application is complete, be sure to get a receipt to prove that you applied for the ITIN.
As soon as you have your ITIN, you can fill out the tax forms required for payment of your ASF award. Please note that obtaining an ITIN or Social Security Number is VERY important! You will not be able to fill out the necessary tax forms required for payment of your ASF award without an ITIN or Social Security Number!!
Problems?
If the IRS turns down your request for an ITIN, please do the following:
Find out the specific reason your application has been denied;
Contact the ASF (grants@amscan.org) to discuss the next step to take.
Increased national security measures have slowed the verification process considerably, and it can currently take up to 2 months to receive your ITIN. Please remember that the ASF is not allowed to make award payments until you can provide this number, so please budget your finances accordingly.