A social security number is used by US employers to identify
their employees to the government for tax purposes. Anyone who works in the US or
is compensated for a service usually has a social security taken out of their pay
that is then returned to them when they retire. If you are not going to be here
a long time and will not receive any compensation, you will not need a social security
number. However, if you are going to be hired for an internship, a part-time job
on campus, a paid academic training internship, paid optional practical training,
or allowable full-time academic employment, you will need a social security number.
Students with F-1 and J-1 visa status follow different procedures for obtaining
a social security number.
Social Security Administration
(Local Office)
355 Paseo Nuevo Mall
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 963-7806
(Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM—4:00 PM)
Directions from UCSB/Goleta: Go south on US 101; take the Carrillo Street exit and
turn left (towards the mountains). Turn right at Chapala Street and head toward
Canon Perdido Street. Immediately after crossing Canon Perdido, begin looking for
the Paseo Nuevo Mall’s underground parking entrance on the left side of Chapala
Street.
If traveling by bus from UCSB, take bus 24x express bus or the 11 bus to the MTD
Transit Center in downtown Santa Barbara. Walk south toward the beach on Chapala
Street until you arrive at the Paseo Nuevo Mall. The Social Security Office is opposite
the Paseo Nuevo Mall Cinemas.