Feeling like you've locked yourself in the bathroom (figuratively)?

[HammerBlade]

Now that I think about it, I don't think I could have picked a stupider place to ask this question.  Thankfully I'm too disappointed to care.

For those of you who live in the United States, I recently discovered my Social Security Card has turned up missing.  Coincidentally, my drivers license from Vermont has simultaneously expired.  Last time I went to get a replacement card, my drivers license was sufficient ID to prove my identity and have them send me a replacement card. 

Knowing this, I decided to see what my other options were:  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ss5doc/

After inputting my info (Replacement card, adult, US born) I note that two other acceptable forms of ID are a student ID card and a health insurance card. 

"Gee willickers, I've got those ones!" 

I grab the bus to the Social Security Office several miles away from where I live, a good 20 minute trip.  After arriving, I grab a number and wait for an hour and a half before I'm called. 

I get to the desk and present my scarce identifying documents.  After pausing for a moment, the clerk informs me that my insurance card is no good.

HB: "But I was informed that a health insurance card could be used...?"
Clerk:  "That's only if you're under 18." 

Thankfully, I'm used to this sort of disappointment by now, after losing my first SS card to begin with.  I lamely offer my license, hoping the clerk won't mind (or won't notice) that the license is expired.

Clerk: "I notice that this license is expired."

Damn.  So much for that.

At this point, I'm digging through my wallet, notice my New Mexico voter's registration card I recently got.

HB: "Well, would this work?"

All of a sudden, the clerk was really short with me, as if I'd said something offensive: "Drivers license, State ID, or passport."

HB:  "Well, I don't have any of those...you have a nice day."  The clerk just continued with some work as though I was gone already.  I don't know if the clerk was afraid I'd snap on her, was angry that I tried to use an expired license, or was just an insensitive person in general, although I would hope the former is the case.  Knew I should have shaved this morning...

10 minute walk back to the bus stop, 20 minute ride, 15 minute walk home.  Over two and a half hours wasted, and I might be screwed.  This is because I need to get a social security card to get a drivers license, and I need a drivers license to get a social security card.  So on top of being stranded 2000+ away from my original home, I might not be employable if I lose my job. 

...Oh, I guess I said I was going to ask a question, wasn't I?  I forgot what it was...um...oh, wait, that was it.

Has anybody here, over 18, and is a US citizen, been able to use a health insurance card as (at least partial) proof of identity when applying for a replacement Social Security card?  I ask because I think that clerk was wrong, and wanted to get confirmation. 

Also, for the sake of general discussion, anybody else ever get stuck in one of these Catch-22 situations (you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't)?

[Fee]

So how do you get a State ID?
And if this is the case, since you start off with neither a dirvers licence or a SS card, how did you get them in the first place if you need one to get the other??


Ive been in a similar situation.

When i was a teenager, i spent over 2 years on the streets.

In order to get money from the government (youth, allowance and rental assistance) I had to provide an address.
Tho to have an address, i had to of course be abel to afford to rent a place.

So at 17 years old, i was stuck in a situation where I had no money to get a place to live, and no place to live so the government would register me as an unemployed homless kid.

Ridiculous.

[Evil]

Got a birth certificate? I had to have mine to get my SS card in the first place. I think that an ID, even though not valid anymore, should be enough with a birth certificate.

I think if you call the SS office, talk with the manager, and explain your situation, including how short their employee was with you, things will work out. You've got documentation, it's just old.

[SSH]

Why should we help you, can you prove you really are Hammerblade?

[Andail]

Yeah, I'd like to see some sort of ID

[HammerBlade]

Posted by Evil:

Got a birth certificate? I had to have mine to get my SS card in the first place. I think that an ID, even though not valid anymore, should be enough with a birth certificate.

Apparently a birth certificate is no longer any good for getting your SS Card, at least not for a replacement.  Thankfully, it looks like a birth certificate is useful to get a drivers license/state ID, so I'm trying to get that now.

Posted by Fee:

So how do you get a State ID?
And if this is the case, since you start off with neither a dirvers licence or a SS card, how did you get them in the first place if you need one to get the other??

I didn't need any ID to get my learners permit when I was 16, and of course having a learners permit is proof enough of eligibility to get a drivers license after passing the drivers test (I'm pretty sure they needed my parents ID/ID of owner of car I was using for the test though).  You slip up after that and you're f*sked, it seems.  I think they'll let you retake the test to get a new license if you have to though.

And yeah, it sucks how much lack of identity/proof of anything can screw one over these days.  You'd think they'd start utilizing DNA tests/thumbprint/etc., but then again I suppose those could create even greater flaws in the system.

Posted by SSH:

Why should we help you, can you prove you really are Hammerblade?

Posted by Andail:

Yeah, I'd like to see some sort of ID

XD Ha ha, sounds like you see my point.  here, my SS number is 666-42-1337.  Proof enough for you? 

Simply being able to vent some frustration here is all the help I could ask for.