# Social Security Child Protection Act of 2023

This bill creates a new process for children under 14 years old to get a replacement Social Security number if their original card is stolen. Right now, if a child's Social Security card goes missing in the mail or is otherwise lost, there's no straightforward way to get a new number assigned to them. This bill fixes that by allowing parents or guardians to request a replacement number from the Social Security Administration if they can prove the card was stolen.

Here's how it would work in practice: If a parent discovers their child's Social Security card was stolen—say it was lost in the mail or taken from their home—they can submit evidence of the theft to Social Security under penalty of perjury. The Social Security Commissioner would then review this evidence and, if satisfied that theft actually occurred, issue the child a brand new Social Security number. The agency would also keep records noting what happened so there's a documented history of the theft.

The main benefit is protecting children from identity theft and fraud. A stolen Social Security number can be used by criminals to open credit accounts, get loans, or commit other financial crimes in the child's name. By allowing early replacement, this bill gives families a way to prevent or stop that kind of damage before it spirals. The bill would take effect 180 days after it becomes law, giving the Social Security Administration time to set up the new procedures. This is particularly important for young children who can't monitor their own credit and won't discover fraud until they're older and trying to get their own loans or jobs.

Social Security Child Protection Act of 2023

Wenstrup, Brad R.

Social Security Child Protection Act of 2023 This bill directs the Social Security Administration to issue a new Social Security number to a child under the age of 14 if the child's Social Security card was stolen while being sent.