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By Omar Mohammed
Reporter, Economy & Finance
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The Social Security Administration wants new applicants to employ more of its online tools and has suggested to Newsweek that applicants could get their cards replaced without stepping into their offices.
"Depending on your situation, you may be able to request a replacement card without visiting a local office," Lizbeth Portalatin-Perez, director for the Division of Strategic Communications, said in a post on the Social Security Administration's website. "The Card Replacement Screener on our Replace Social Security card page helps you determine the best way to do so."
The agency seems keen in wanting to have applicants take advantage of online options when going through the process of acquiring Social Security cards.
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"In most states, you can use your personal 'my Social Security' account to request a replacement card. Even if you can't complete the process online and must visit an office, you can still save yourself time by starting the application online," Portalatin-Perez noted.
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The moves to encourage more online applications is part of the agency's efforts to offer options in the way that Americans engage with the Social Security Administration, a spokesperson told Newsweek.
"If a person needs a new or replacement Social Security card, they may be able to complete, or at least start, their application on our website—and, if necessary, can even use our online scheduling tool to schedule an appointment at a local office," the spokesperson said. "We are constantly expanding our online services to give people freedom and control when conducting business with Social Security."
The Social Security Administration's push to get Americans to use online options comes at a time when there have been complaints over its customer service. Last week, new head of the agency Martin O'Malley suggested that his department was looking for an increase in its budget to improve customer service.
"The Budget also improves access to SSA's services by reducing wait times," he said in a statement.
The promotion of online services that Americans can leverage when applying for cards is an attempt to make the process easier, Portalatin-Perez suggested.
A Social Security card is a key identity metric in the U.S. The 9-digit number is an avenue through which residents in the country can file their taxes, secure financial services, get a job, apply for government benefits and get travel documents.
Social Security numbers were first issued in 1936, and since then, more than 453 million numbers have been issued.
"We assign about 5 and one-half million new numbers a year," the agency says.
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