2134 Refusal or Failure to Provide or Apply for SSN - An individual who has without good cause refused or failed to provide an SSN or to apply for one shall be ineligible for assistance. The eligibility and amount of benefits for any remaining family or household members shall be determined. The income and resources of the excluded individual shall be considered for cash and food assistance as outlined in 4113 and 4212.

The individual excluded for failure or refusal to provide or to apply for an SSN may become eligible upon providing the agency with an SSN or proof of application for the required number. The report of this number or proof of application for such number shall be treated as a reported change and benefits affected as outlined in 9121.1 and 9122.7.1 shall be entered.

2135 Use of SSN - The agency is authorized to use SSN's in the administration of the cash, food assistance, and child care programs. The SSN shall be used in accessing KDOL records of wages and benefits. To the extent determined by Health and Human Services, the agency shall have access to information regarding individual clients who receive benefits under Titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act to determine eligibility to receive assistance and the amount of assistance or to verify information related to the benefits of these clients. The specialist should use the BENDEX and SDX to the greatest extent possible. Social Security numbers also should be used to prevent duplicate participation and to determine the accuracy and/or reliability of information given by the client or household.

2136 Referral Procedure for Applying for an SSN - The following referral procedure shall be used for persons who must apply for an SSN.

Refer all persons needing to apply for an original or replacement SSN per 2130 to the appropriate local SSA office. (See Web links Section.)

Staff should inform the client of the necessary documentation needed and assist him or her in completing the SS-5. (Refer to 2137.)

This form may be mailed, e-mailed or hand delivered to the SSA office.

A receipt from SSA acknowledging the application is still acceptable proof for meeting the SSN requirement.

2137 Entering SSN's on KEES - An SSN initially supplied by a client shall be entered on the system even if it has not been verified. See the KEES user manual for information on system processing when  the number is not initially known and they filed a SSN application.

If the number supplied by the client is later determined to be incorrect through either the BENDEX verification process or the DCF validation process, the system shall be updated to reflect the proper number or, if the proper number is unknown and they filed a SSN application, then the SSN Status will need entered as “SSN Application Filed at SSA”