Social security act card

We issue three types of Social Security cards. All cards show your name and Social Security number. If you are not a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may have a work restriction listed on your card. The chart below explains the three types of cards that we issue:

Shows your name and Social Security number and lets you work without restriction.

• U.S. citizens; and
• People lawfully admitted to the United States on a permanent basis.

Shows your name and Social Security number with the restriction, "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION".

We issue it to people lawfully admitted to the United States on a temporary basis who have DHS authorization to work.

Shows your name and Social Security number with the restriction, "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT".

We issue it to people from other countries who:

• are lawfully admitted to the United States without work authorization from DHS, but have a valid non-work reason for needing a Social Security number; or
• need a number because of a federal law requiring a Social Security number to get a benefit or service.