What does the letter mean on your Social Security card?

Asked by: Jolie Mitchell  |  Last update: April 2, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (24 votes)

The Social Security number followed by one of these codes is often referred to as a claim number. We assign these codes once you apply for benefits. These letter codes may appear on correspondence you receive from Social Security or on your Medicare card. They will never appear on a Social Security card.

What is the letter H on the back of my Social Security card?

It's not the number that you look up it's the letter. All letters on the back of social security cards is linked to a certain Federal Reserve Bank for example The letter H. Is for a Federal Reserve Bank in St.

What does the G on my Social Security card mean?

The group number (G), or second set of digits, refers to the specific order in which SSNs are distributed within a geographical area from 01 to 99. First, odd numbers are assigned from 01 to 09 followed by even numbers from 10 to 98.

What does B mean in Social Security?

B. Beneficiary. A beneficiary is a person who receives Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on disability.

What does DHS authorization mean on a Social Security card?

The 2nd type of card shows your name and number and notes, “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION.” We issue this type of card to people lawfully admitted to the United States on a temporary basis who have Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorization to work.

Social Security Letter - Did You Get It? What Does It Mean?

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How do I remove the DHS authorization from my social security card?

To remove “Valid for work only with DHS authorization” on your Social Security card, you will need to obtain permanent residency, obtain refugee/asylee status, or U.S. citizenship. Once you have obtained refugee/asylee, permanent resident or US citizenship status, you can request a Social Security card replacement.

What is SSA authorization?

SSA and its affiliated State disability determination services use Form SSA-827, "Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration (SSA)" to obtain medical and other information needed to determine whether or not a claimant is disabled.

What does the letter code mean on a social security number?

The codes following a Social Security number indicate the type of benefits you are entitled to. The Social Security number followed by one of these codes is often referred to as a claim number and they are only assigned once you apply for benefits.

What does D mean on a social security number?

C1-C9. Child – Includes minor, student or disabled child. D. Aged Widow, age 60 or over.

Who qualifies for the $255 Social Security death benefit?

You may qualify if you're the spouse, divorced spouse, child, or dependent parent of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died.

What do the 2 middle numbers in Social Security mean?

The nine-digit SSN is composed of three parts: The first set of three digits is called the Area Number. The second set of two digits is called the Group Number. The final set of four digits is the Serial Number.

What to do if someone has the last 4 digits of SSN?

What To Do If Someone Has Your SSN: 10 Steps
  1. Freeze your credit.
  2. Check your credit reports.
  3. Report identity theft and fraud to the FTC.
  4. File a police report.
  5. Review your Social Security Statement.
  6. Contact the IRS.
  7. Flag all fraudulent use of your SSN.
  8. Claim your “my Social Security” account.

What are the words on a Social Security card?

The current Social Security card consists of specially designed pre-printed banknote paper bearing the words, "Social Security," and the official seal of SSA. The statement, "This number has been established for" is printed across the official seal, in the middle of the card.

Can you buy stuff with your Social Security number?

In addition to Social Security, the SSN is now also used for a wide range of purposes. These include obtaining credit, opening a bank account, obtaining government benefits or private insurance, and buying a home or a car.

What is the letter C in the Federal Reserve?

One hundred dollar bills are sometimes called "Benjamins" (in reference to their portrait of Benjamin Franklin) or C-Notes (the letter "C" is the Roman numeral 100).

What do the first 3 digits of your Social Security mean?

As a result of the June 1936 decision, the current SSN is composed of three parts: The first three digits are the area number. The next two digits are the group number. The final four digits are the serial number.

What letters is Social Security sending out?

The Benefit Verification letter, sometimes called a "budget letter," a "benefits letter," a "proof of income letter," or a "proof of award letter," serves as proof of your retirement, disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare benefits.

Why can you only get 10 Social Security cards in a lifetime?

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA) of 2004 (Public Law 108-458 ) limits the number of replacement SSN cards an individual may receive to 3 per year and 10 in a lifetime, beginning with cards issued on or after December 17, 2005.

What are the three types of Social Security?

Learn about the types of Social Security benefits and how to apply
  • Retirement benefits.
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Benefits for spouses and other survivors of a family member who has died.

What are SSA codes?

This code specifies the Social Security Administration (SSA) code for the county of identified through the beneficiary mailing address of the beneficiary. Each state has a series of codes beginning with '000' for each county within that state. Certain cities within that state have their own code.

What is the difference between a benefit verification letter and an award letter?

These are often referred to as award letters but it are different from award letters. This distinction often creates confusion. A benefits verification letter, also sometimes referred to as a proof-of-income letter, describes the specific benefits you receive under Social Security and related programs.

Why would I get a letter from SSA?

We will send you a notice, to inform you about your claim, benefit status or benefit amount. A notice will be sent if your benefit amount or eligibility changes and/or terminates.

What is the difference with SSA and SSI?

Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work. SSI is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury--personal income taxes, corporate taxes, and other taxes.

What does SSA verification mean?

SSA will verify SSNs and names solely to ensure that the records of current or former employees are correct for the purpose of completing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement).