[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 4]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR273.6]

[Page 663-664]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER II--FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 273_CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 273.6  Social security numbers.

    (a) Requirements for participation. The State agency shall require 
that a household participating or applying for participation in the Food 
Stamp Program provide the State agency with the social security number 
(SSN) of each household member or apply for one before certification. If 
individuals have more than one number, all numbers shall be required. 
The State agency shall explain to applicants and participants that 
refusal or failure without good cause to provide an SSN will result in 
disqualification of the individual for whom an SSN is not obtained.
    (b) Obtaining SSNs for food stamp household members. (1) For those 
individuals who provide SSNs prior to certification, recertification or 
at any office contact, the State agency shall record the SSN and verify 
it in accordance with Sec. 273.2(f)(1)(v).
    (2) For those individuals who do not have an SSN, the State agency 
shall:
    (i) If an enumeration agreement with SSA exists, complete the 
application for an SSN, Form SS-5. To complete Form SS-5, the State 
agency must document the verification of identity, age, and citizenship 
or alien status as required by SSA and forward the SS-5 to SSA.
    (ii) If no enumeration agreement exists, an individual must apply at 
the SSA, and the State agency shall arrange with SSA to be notified 
directly of the SSN when it is issued. The State agency shall inform the 
household where to apply and what information will be needed, including 
any which may be needed for SSA to notify the State agency of the SSN. 
The State agency shall advise the household member that proof of 
application from SSA will be required prior to certification. SSA 
normally uses the Receipt of Application for a Social Security Number, 
Form SSA-5028, as evidence that an individual has applied for an SSN. 
State agencies may also use their own documents for this purpose.
    (3) The State agency shall follow the procedures described in 
paragraphs (b)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section for individuals who do 
not know if they have an SSN, or are unable to find their SSN.
    (4) If the household is unable to provide proof of application for 
an SSN for a newborn, the household must provide the SSN or proof of 
application at its next recertification or within 6 months following the 
month the baby is born, whichever is later. If the household is unable 
to provide an SSN or proof of application for an SSN at its next 
recertification within 6 months following the baby's birth, the State 
agency shall determine if the good cause provisions of paragraph (d) of 
this section are applicable.
    (c) Failure to comply. If the State agency determines that a 
household member has refused or failed without good cause to provide or 
apply for an SSN, then that individual shall be ineligible to 
participate in the Food Stamp Program. The disqualification applies to 
the individual for whom the SSN is not provided and not to the entire 
household. The earned or unearned income and resources of an individual 
disqualified from the household for failure to comply with this 
requirement shall be counted as household income and resources to the 
extent specified in Sec. 273.11(c) of these regulations.
    (d) Determining good cause. In determining if good cause exists for 
failure to comply with the requirement to apply for or provide the State 
agency with an SSN, the State agency shall consider information from the 
household member, SSA and the State agency (especially if the State 
agency was designated to send the SS-5 to SSA and either did not process 
the SS-5 or did not process it in a timely manner).

[[Page 664]]

Documentary evidence or collateral information that the household member 
has applied for an SSN or made every effort to supply SSA with the 
necessary information to complete an application for an SSN shall be 
considered good cause for not complying timely with this requirement. 
Good cause does not include delays due to illness, lack of 
transportation or temporary absences, because SSA makes provisions for 
mail-in applications in lieu of applying in person. If the household 
member can show good cause why an application for a SSN has not been 
completed in a timely manner, that person shall be allowed to 
participate for one month in addition to the month of application. If 
the household member applying for an SSN has been unable to obtain the 
documents required by SSN, the State agency caseworker should make every 
effort to assist the individual in obtaining these documents. Good cause 
for failure to apply must be shown monthly in order for such a household 
member to continue to participate. Once an application has been filed, 
the State agency shall permit the member to continue to participate 
pending notification of the State agency of the household member's SSN.
    (e) Ending disqualification. The household member(s) disqualified 
may become eligible upon providing the State agency with an SSN.
    (f) Use of SSNs. The State agency is authorized to use SSNs in the 
administration of the Food Stamp Program. To the extent determined 
necessary by the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, State agencies shall have access to information regarding 
individual Food Stamp Program applicants and participants who receive 
benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act to determine such a 
household's eligibility to receive assistance and the amount of 
assistance, or to verify information related to the benefit of these 
households. State agencies shall use the State Data Exchange (SDX) to 
the maximum extent possible. The State agency should also use the SSNs 
to prevent duplicate participation, to facilitate mass changes in 
Federal benefits as described in Sec. 273.12(e)(3) and to determine the 
accuracy and/or reliability of information given by households. In 
particular, SSNs shall be used by the State agency to request and 
exchange information on individuals through the IEVS as specified in 
Sec. 272.8.
    (g) Entry of SSNs into automated data bases. State agencies with 
automated food stamp data bases containing household information shall 
enter all SSNs obtained in accordance with Sec. 273.6(a) into these 
files.

[Amdt. 264, 51 FR 7206, Feb. 28, 1986; Amdt. 364, 61 FR 54317, Oct. 17, 
1996]