“Numident” stands for “Numerical Identification,” and is the Social Security Administration’s computer database file on all who have applied for a Social Security number. In most cases, it contains all of the information used at the time you or your parents applied for your Social Security card. In cases for those born before 1910, much of the information (notably the names of parents) is left off the Numident.
The Numident database is quite large, comprising information on every person who has been issued a Social Security Card from the time of the program’s inception in 1935 (actual cards began to be issued in 1936), whether they have applied for Social Security Disability benefits or not. In addition to the information on the original application, your Numident file contains information on every subsequent application you have made for a replacement Social Security card.
A copy of your Numident file can be obtained from the Social Security Administration. At the time of this writing, the cost is $16. An actual copy of the application for a Social Security card is somewhat more expensive ($27-$29). Obtaining the Numident file gives you a computer printout of the relevant information contained on the Social Security card application.
Whether you want to obtain a copy of the actual application, or just the Numident file, you or your Social Security Disability representative will need to make your request in writing to the Social Security Administration Central Office. You cannot obtain your Numident file on person at a Social Security field office. It generally takes about two weeks to obtain your Numident file.
When applying for Social Security Disability benefits, your Numident file may be important, especially if you don’t have your Social Security card. In most cases, your Social Security Disability lawyer (assuming you have retained one) will let you know if you need to obtain a copy of your Numident file.
Social Security Disability claims generally require the information contained on your Numident file, but chances are that you will not need to concern yourself with the file unless something needs to be corrected. Most of the information in your file with respect to Social Security Disability will already be known.
