This act allows the Commissioner of Social Security to reissue a Social Security number to a child under 14 if their original number's confidentiality was compromised due to the loss or theft of their card during transmission.
Lloyd Smucker
Representative
PA-11
The Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025 mandates the Commissioner of Social Security to issue a new Social Security number to a child under age 14 if their original number's confidentiality was compromised due to the loss or theft of their Social Security card during transmission. This requirement applies when the original number was obtained for program eligibility or federal law disclosure purposes. The parent or guardian must submit evidence of the compromise under penalty of perjury.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 218 | 195 | 0 | 23 |
Democrat | 213 | 191 | 0 | 22 |
New Bill Protects Kids from ID Theft: Allows New SSNs If Card is Stolen in the Mail
The “Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025” is a targeted piece of legislation designed to give parents a specific safety valve against one of the earliest forms of identity theft: SSN cards compromised while being mailed out. Right now, getting a new Social Security number (SSN) is incredibly difficult, even if the old one is compromised. This bill, however, creates a clear, narrow path for parents to get a fresh start for their kids’ identities.
The Mailbox Risk: Fixing a Vulnerable Moment
This act amends the Social Security Act (specifically Section 205(c)(2)(B)) to allow the Commissioner of Social Security to issue a brand-new SSN to a child under the age of 14, but only under very strict conditions. The core issue it addresses is the vulnerability of the physical SSN card during its initial transmission—meaning, when the Social Security Administration (SSA) mails it to you. If that card is lost or stolen during that mailing process, parents can now seek a remedy.
The Fine Print: When You Can Get a New Number
This isn't a blanket rule for every compromised kid’s SSN. To qualify for a reissued number, three things must be true. First, the child’s original SSN must have been issued because a parent needed it for a Federal or State program application (like specific benefits) or because a Federal law required the disclosure of the number. Second, a parent or guardian has to submit evidence to the Commissioner, sworn under penalty of perjury, that the card was lost or stolen during its transmission—the mail theft scenario. Finally, the child must be under 14 years old. If the SSA issues a new number, they must note the details of the loss or theft in the child’s records, ensuring there’s a paper trail for the change. These changes are set to take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law.
Real-World Impact: A Shield for Young Identities
For parents, this means a crucial piece of mind. Child identity theft is often called the “silent crime” because it can go undetected for years, sometimes until the child applies for college loans or their first job. If a parent is expecting their child’s SSN card in the mail and it never arrives—a scenario that happens more often than people realize—they currently have limited recourse. This bill gives them a specific, powerful tool to neutralize that threat immediately by getting a new number. While the requirements are tight—it has to be a mail compromise, and the original number had to be issued for specific program eligibility—it addresses a high-risk moment that affects thousands of families every year. It’s a targeted fix that helps protect a kid’s clean financial slate before they even know they have one.