Even if you don't have the person's SS number, you can still get the SS-5, but it costs more... The information on how to order and a sample form letter is located on the www.SSA.Gov website. It usually takes about 6 weeks for the process, but they are beneficial in most cases. If a person was receiving SS benefits when they died, they should be on the SSDI even if no Death Benefit was paid...but you should be aware that they might not be registered in the County which you think, because they key on the Zip code which is not bound by County lines, but by the location of the Postal Distribution Center for that area...This means that sparsely populated and small towns/communities are served by the nearest Postal Center so the Zip Code number might be associated with the adjacent County, no matter that the town name is in a different County... >From: "Gail Harris" <peaches@strato.net> Reply-To: "Gail Harris" ><peaches@strato.net> To: GA-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [GA-Roots] Social >Security application form (the SS-5) in lieu of birth certificate Date: >Wed, 7 Apr 2004 23:16:12 -0400 > >fyi...if you cannot find birth certificate on your ancestor, if they had >social security # - you can order copy of their application... > >i can post form letter - if interested... > >from ancestry.com: When you find your ancestors in the Social Security >Death Index (also known as the Death Master File), you may want a copy of >your ancestor's original Social Security application. This application has >valuable additional information and can serve as documentation for your own >records. The Social Security Administration makes copies of the original >Social Security application form (the SS-5) available to third parties who >request information on a deceased individual. > >The application form (SS-5) contains the following information: Full name >Full name at birth (including maiden name) Present mailing address Age at >last birthday Date of birth Place of birth (City, county, state) Father's >full name "regardless of whether living or dead" Mother's full name, >including maiden name, "regardless of whether living or dead" Sex and race >Ever applied for SS number/Railroad Retirement before? Yes/No Current >employer's name and address Date signed Applicant's signature > >Note: Not everyone who has, or has had, a Social Security card will appear >on the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). The SSDI lists only those >individuals for whom a lump sum death benefit was paid. Many other enrolled >persons are not listed either because their death was not reported or they >are still living. If you haven't found your deceased ancestor on the SSDI, >but he or she was likely enrolled with the Social Security system, it may >still be possible to get a photocopy of his or her original SS-5. To >request this information, you will need to send the name and Social >Security number of the person you're researching. You might be able to >locate the person's Social Security number in the following places: > >personal papers death certificate funeral home records records held by >financial institutions voter registration rolls at county courthouse former >employers of the individual > > >==== GA-ROOTS Mailing List ==== Faye Dyess fdy@comcast.net >Listmanager When in doubt, save thy message overnight and reread it in the >light of dawn. GA Volunteer >lookups:http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ga/state/volunteer.html > _________________________________________________________________ Free up your inbox with MSN Hotmail Extra Storage! Multiple plans available. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-us&page=hotmail/es2&ST=1/go/onm00200362ave/direct/01/

A note for future genealogist. According to the SS index, my parents were living in my zip code when they received the last benefit , however, they were in another state. In reality, it is the Zip Code where the SS mail is sent and not the benefit check. I received the SS mail at my home, since I was handling their affairs, and the benefit check went to a local bank near their home. Harold

i had trouble finding form letter online here... will you please post link where it is located?? thanks!! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gerald Gieger" <giegerg@hotmail.com> To: <GA-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 9:00 AM Subject: RE: [GA-Roots] Social Security application form (the SS-5) in lieu of birth certificate Even if you don't have the person's SS number, you can still get the SS-5, but it costs more... The information on how to order and a sample form letter is located on the www.SSA.Gov website. It usually takes about 6 weeks for the process, but