WA requires immunization record or picture ID for SS card

[buttercupmama]

So our DD is 6 days shy of 8 months and we never got her card. The hospital was supposed to have requested one but never could figure out why it was taking so long for us to receive it. We went in to the office today with her birth certificate. At some point, I took my DD back to the car to nurse and figured our number would be called soon and we'd be able to get it quickly and leave. But time went on and I started wondering what the problem was. Stupid me for not simply expecting one with everything.

Well, DH finally came back and he was pissed off. He told me they would not give him the card. Firstly, they called it a replacement when they never even sent the first one to begin with. Secondly, they require an immunization record as ID. (I checked the website when we got home and this is not mentioned as a requirement.) He told her we chose not to vaccinate and nowhere does it say they require this record. She apparently told him in a snide tone, 'Well I guess we should start telling people.' (No, we should all be mind readers. In fact, we should just keep immunization records handy for every single thing in the world from now on.) Then she told him the only other option is a picture ID from the DOL.

We're not entirely sure we can get this for her in WA, but I'll be calling them tomorrow to find out. If that's what it takes, fine. Now, my DH and I have fought over the vaccination issue, but the resistance from the pediatrician had at least put him on the fence regarding the issue, I'm sure. It became a non-issue the moment he got fiery with me. Well, now I'm glad I wasn't the one to say, 'If they can find a way to force you to vaccinate, they will.' I'm proud of him for seeing this...finally. At least I'm no longer going to be the conspiracy theorist.

[notwonamesalike]

Originally Posted by buttercupmama

So our DD is 6 days shy of 8 months and we never got her card. The hospital was supposed to have requested one but never could figure out why it was taking so long for us to receive it. We went in to the office today with her birth certificate. At some point, I took my DD back to the car to nurse and figured our number would be called soon and we'd be able to get it quickly and leave. But time went on and I started wondering what the problem was. Stupid me for not simply expecting one with everything.

Well, DH finally came back and he was pissed off. He told me they would not give him the card. Firstly, they called it a replacement when they never even sent the first one to begin with. Secondly, they require an immunization record as ID. (I checked the website when we got home and this is not mentioned as a requirement.) He told her we chose not to vaccinate and nowhere does it say they require this record. She apparently told him in a snide tone, 'Well I guess we should start telling people.' (No, we should all be mind readers. In fact, we should just keep immunization records handy for every single thing in the world from now on.) Then she told him the only other option is a picture ID from the DOL.

We're not entirely sure we can get this for her in WA, but I'll be calling them tomorrow to find out. If that's what it takes, fine. Now, my DH and I have fought over the vaccination issue, but the resistance from the pediatrician had at least put him on the fence regarding the issue, I'm sure. It became a non-issue the moment he got fiery with me. Well, now I'm glad I wasn't the one to say, 'If they can find a way to force you to vaccinate, they will.' I'm proud of him for seeing this...finally. At least I'm no longer going to be the conspiracy theorist.

This is not true. We didn't vaccinate, and we applied for a birth certificate and his social security card on our own - as our hospital doesn't do it for you. We NEVER ran into this issue. Ask to speak to this womans supervisor.

[buttercupmama]

That's assuming they haven't changed their policies recently. The site does say medical records can be used but the hospital already made the request anyway. They printed her number for us. They just wouldn't give the card. Apparently a few people ahead of us were dealing with the same issue so I'm not so sure it's just her.

[Full Heart]

When I ran into this here in AZ I was told I could use a receipt from the dr with his name on it. I actually had one in my purse so that was kinda nice. If you have health insurance you can probably use the card from that as well. A religious record can also work like a baptismal record.

Since you have the number you don't really need the card, but technically you are getting a replacement. Getting an original is actually getting a new number. Mail gets stolen, lost, misdirected so if it got sent to you thats what could have happened. When it happened to us there was no record on my ds' behalf so we had to get the original.

[applejuice]

I am in CA.

I had a home birth.

I got my DS's SS# by publishing his birth in the announcements in the newspaper, getting a letter from the pediatrician, and using a notarized birth announcement. I did have problems at the first SSA office I went to, so I went to another one.

[Jane]

A vaccination record doesn't neccesarily need to have vaccinations on it. A blank one is still a vaccination record.

In washington state, there is a check box on the form to have a SSN assigned. If the person inputing it into the computer didn't tick the box, you won't get a card and your baby won't be in the system. If they did, the card tends to come in less than 2 months.

[buttercupmama]

Don't go to the doctor. Only currently have medicaid for her. Don't know if that will count.

They never told us it was definitely mailed to us. They're always keeping us waiting/on hold trying to find out.

I wanted a home birth...but the only midwife I could find to do one was booked.

[Jane]

Bummer! If she's not in the system, you can apply for one now.
I've heard that SSA is variable - if you go on different days, you get different people and have an easier or harder time.
I wonder if you could call Vital Statistics and find out what was inputed - ie, was a SSN requested for her? http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehsphl/CHS/CHS-Data/main.htm

[SanJosemama]

Social Security is a federal program. The real requirements are the same in every state.

Unless something has changed, they gave you the wrong information.

[buttercupmama]

I'll probably call them on Monday to find out more. My DH said they wouldn't have given him the number if he didn't throw a fit.

We were given an immunization card in the hospital, but since she never got any, they didn't even put her name on it. So it's useless.

At least we have the number for now. I'll probably try to get her the picture ID anyway. Could be useful. You never know.

[traycanadian]

The WA state immunization record is just a piece of paper you can print off from their website. On one side it has the space to record what vaxes are received and on the back is the section for exemptions. My son's immunization record is that form , our exemption checked on the reverse side and my signature. If that's all they want why not give it to them? It's official.

[DreamsInDigital]

Here is the legal requirements for proving your child's identity from the SSA website:

Identity

Your child: We can accept only certain documents as proof of your child’s identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your child’s name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. We generally can accept a non-photo identity document if it has enough information to identify the child (such as the child’s name and age, date of birth or parents’ names). We prefer to see the child’s U.S. passport. If that document is not available, we may accept the child’s:

Adoption decree;
Doctor, clinic or hospital record;
Religious record (e.g., baptismal record);
Daycare center or school record; or
School identification card.

It says NOTHING about a vaccination record.

[buttercupmama]

For one thing, I don't know that they would accept something without an external signature. Anyone can sign a form like that. I don't see it as valid ID so I don't see why they would. Also, if the website doesn't claim it's necessary and the only thing you get from calling their number is a recording telling you how to get there, I challenge any new parent to go prepared. As far as I'm concerned, the hospital making the request is proof enough that she exists and my DH's ID and SS are proof enough that he is her father as per the documents in their possession. I don't see what more needs to be proved.

[applejuice]

Originally Posted by SanJosemama

Social Security is a federal program. The real requirements are the same in every state.

Unless something has changed, they gave you the wrong information.

Exactly, which is why I simply went to another SSA office.

[buttercupmama]

Originally Posted by applejuice

Exactly, which is why I simply went to another SSA office.

We may do that.

[milkybean]

Originally Posted by buttercupmama

We may do that.

Definitely do that.

And yes, it seems silly that that little booklet with the clear plastic cover could actually be considered ID. But it is considered to be so, which is ridiculous. But really, establishing ID for a baby is going to have a sense of the ridiculous, b/c you're telling them "this is my baby" and they get to say "OK, here's the card".

If there were other people having the same problem, it's definitely something on THEIR end, and they'll figure that out.


Sorry you had a hospital birth when you wanted a homebirth...I ended up with hospital baby-arrival b/c I hired the WRONG WA midwives...neither way is fun. Next time I'm going to Oregon or doing it on my own. (and will have extra fun getting a SSN for that baby!)

[buttercupmama]

Ouch. I don't envy you, but good luck with that adventure.

[Emmeline II]

Print out the requirements for the id from the SSA website and take it with you. I would also carry the names and numbers for your congressmen and a cell phone.

After you have talked to the window clerk and her boss and still don't have a card, pull out your cell phone, call your congressman, and tell the aide who picks up the phone that you are at the Dumbtown Social Security office and that they are denying your child a social security card even though you have presented proper identification, and would Congressman Superhero be able to help a constituent with this issue.

If you have a voter card it has your actual district on it.

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

[buttercupmama]

hehe That sounds like a fun idea.

[rredhead]

Each office is different. I kid you not. Yes, print out the rules from the web site.
My son was adopted. I went to the SS office and waited 3 hours. I handed over his birth certificate and adoption decree, and they said it wasn't enough. Um, what? They wanted his shot record. I said, "We don't do shots." She said that a birth certificate wasn't enough because he could have died.
I said, "What if I bring him here?"
She said no dice. I have to prove that he's alive somehow, but without picture ID or something, how are you supposed to do that??
She decided that a doctor's bill would be acceptable. In the end, we had had one shot done, so I brought the record of that visit, along with the explanation of benefits from the insurance company.
Social Security sucks.