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Address First

A theoretical guide for documentation recovery and economic access using temporary address pathways
proof of residency letter

Contents

Introduction

The Address First method is a structured approach for individuals who lack permanent residency and need to recover identity documentation to access economic opportunities. This method emphasizes using temporary, legally verifiable addresses—via mutual aid networks, hosts, or shelter providers—paired with notarized alternative documentation, to enable identity verification and eventual economic participation, such as gig work.

How It Works

The approach unfolds in sequential stages:

  1. Temporary Address Acquisition – Establish legitimate residency at a temporary host or shelter.
  2. Document Bundle Creation – Collect alternative IDs and notarize them to support identity verification.
  3. Identity Verification – Contact SSA or other agencies to verify identity using notarized documents.
  4. Birth Certificate Retrieval – Use SSA-issued Social Security number and notarized documents.
  5. State ID Issuance – Obtain government-issued photo ID with birth certificate, SSN, and proof of residency.
  6. Independent Housing – Rent a single room to establish a permanent address.
  7. Economic Access – Use ID and bank account to participate in gig work or minimal-income opportunities.

Documentation Pathways

Alternative Identity Documents - Detailed Acquisition Methods

Educational Records

Transcripts

  • How to Request: Contact the registrar's office of any school previously attended (elementary through college)
  • Required Information: Full name, approximate dates of attendance, date of birth, any student ID numbers if remembered
  • Methods: Phone call, online portal, written request, or in-person visit
  • Cost: Typically $5-25 per transcript, though many schools waive fees for hardship cases
  • Processing Time: 3-10 business days for most institutions
  • Verification Use: Transcripts contain your full legal name, date of birth, and are considered official government-accepted documents for Social Security verification

Enrollment Verification Letters

  • How to Request: Contact current or former school's student services or registrar office
  • Required Information: Student information and specific dates of enrollment needed
  • Cost: Usually free or minimal fee ($5-10)
  • Processing Time: Same day to 3 business days
  • Verification Use: Confirms identity and can establish residency for specific time periods

Institutional Records

Jail/Prison Records

  • Booking Paperwork: Contact the facility where you were processed
  • Required Information: Full name, approximate booking date, any booking number if available
  • Methods: Call the records department, visit in person, or submit written request
  • Cost: Typically free for basic booking information
  • Processing Time: Immediate to 5 business days
  • Verification Use: Booking paperwork is government-issued documentation with photo and personal information that Social Security Administration accepts

Court Records

  • How to Request: Contact clerk of court for any jurisdiction where you had legal proceedings
  • Required Information: Case number (if known), full name, approximate date of proceedings
  • Cost: $5-20 for certified copies
  • Processing Time: Same day if visiting in person, 5-10 days by mail
  • Verification Use: Court documents establish legal name and can serve as secondary verification

Shelter Verification Letters

How to Obtain

  • Process: Request from any shelter where you've stayed, even briefly
  • Required Information: Dates of stay, full name used during stay
  • Format: Letter on shelter letterhead stating your stay dates and current homeless status
  • Cost: Free
  • Processing Time: Same day to 2 business days
  • Verification Use: Social Security Administration specifically accepts shelter verification letters as proof of homelessness, which qualifies for alternative verification processes

What the Letter Should Include

  • Your full legal name
  • Dates of shelter stay
  • Statement of current housing status
  • Shelter's official contact information
  • Signature from authorized shelter staff

Employment Records

EquiFax Work Number Database

  • Access Method: Call 1-800-367-5690 or visit theworknumber.com
  • Required Information: Social Security number, previous employer names, approximate employment dates
  • Cost: Free for personal employment history
  • Processing Time: Immediate online or phone verification
  • Verification Use: Provides official employment history that can establish identity timeline

Direct Employer Contact

  • Process: Contact HR departments of previous employers
  • Required Information: Employee ID (if known), dates of employment, department worked in
  • Documents Available: Pay stubs, W-2 forms, employment verification letters
  • Cost: Usually free for basic verification letters
  • Processing Time: 3-7 business days
  • Verification Use: Employment records with your Social Security number serve as strong identity verification

State Employment Department Records

  • Access Method: Contact your state's employment/workforce development department
  • Required Information: Social Security number, previous employer information
  • Available Records: Unemployment benefit history, wage reports from employers
  • Cost: Free for personal records
  • Processing Time: 5-10 business days
  • Verification Use: State employment records are government documents that establish work history and identity

Additional Alternative Documents

Medical Records

  • How to Request: Contact any hospital, clinic, or doctor's office where you received treatment
  • Required Information: Full name, date of birth, approximate treatment dates
  • Cost: $10-25 for copies, often waived for indigent patients
  • Processing Time: 5-15 business days
  • Verification Use: Medical records contain personal information and can support identity claims

Military Records

  • How to Request: Submit Standard Form 180 to National Personnel Records Center
  • Required Information: Full name, service number, branch of service, dates of service
  • Cost: Free for veterans
  • Processing Time: 15-30 business days
  • Verification Use: Military records are federal documents providing strong identity verification

Bank Records

  • How to Request: Contact any bank where you previously held accounts
  • Required Information: Account numbers (if known), Social Security number, approximate account dates
  • Available Records: Account opening documents, signature cards, transaction histories
  • Cost: $5-15 per document
  • Processing Time: 3-10 business days
  • Verification Use: Bank signature cards and account documents can establish identity for verification purposes

Document Recovery Sequence

Important: SSA Two-Tier Verification System

The Social Security Administration operates under two different sets of requirements that may appear contradictory:

Public-Facing Standard Requirements:

  • Original documents or agency-certified copies required
  • Current (not expired) documents only
  • No photocopies or notarized copies accepted

Internal Alternative Verification Policies (POMS):

  • Used when standard documents are "genuinely unavailable"
  • Allows secondary and third-level identity documents
  • Includes "logical verification" through personal history questions
  • Specifically available for homeless individuals and special circumstances

Key SSA Internal Policies

POMS RM 10210.420 - Priority List allows:

  • Medical records, school IDs, religious records as secondary evidence
  • Life insurance policies and employment records
  • Case-by-case evaluation when primary documents unavailable

POMS RM 10210.425 - Third-level documents:

  • Accepted when higher probative value documents not available
  • Includes witness statements and service provider attestations

Logical Verification Process:

  • SSA verifies identity through personal history questions from their database
  • Available when documents unavailable, particularly for homeless individuals
  • Uses information like previous addresses, employment history, family members

Strategic Approach for SSA Card Replacement

  1. Attempt standard process first with any available documents (even if limited)
  2. Request alternative verification when standard documents unavailable - explicitly state homelessness if applicable
  3. Specifically mention homelessness to trigger access to special procedures and flexibility
  4. Use shelter verification letters as accepted alternative documents under homeless services provisions

Document Recovery Sequence

The following sequence utilizes each document to obtain the next:

  1. Social Security Card: Obtained through "logical verification" process where Social Security Administration verifies identity through personal history questions, or using alternative documents under POMS guidelines
  2. Birth Certificate: Requested using Social Security number, often with homeless fee waiver programs
  3. State ID: Obtained using birth certificate and Social Security card
  4. Bank Account: Opened using state ID
  5. Employment Access: Applied for using bank account for direct deposits

Important Notes

Document Authentication

  • Request official copies on letterhead when possible
  • Ensure documents include official signatures or stamps
  • Ask for certified copies when available for stronger verification value

Multiple Document Strategy

  • Obtain 2-3 different types of alternative documents to strengthen verification
  • Use documents from different time periods to establish identity timeline
  • Combine institutional and non-institutional sources for broader verification base

Record Keeping

  • Maintain copies of all documents obtained
  • Store originals safely once received
  • Keep contact information for institutions in case additional documents are needed

Notarization Strategy

Notarizing these documents validates the authenticity of signatures and endorsements, enhancing credibility when submitting to government agencies. While notarization does not guarantee SSA acceptance, it strengthens cases and helps in advocacy escalation.

Implementation Steps

  1. Secure Temporary Residency
    • Contact mutual aid networks or shelters.
    • Obtain a signed proof-of-residency letter from a property-owning host (the host functions as “temporary landlord”).
  2. Compile Available Documentation
    • Gather all secondary IDs (school, employment, shelter, or institutional records).
    • Notarize the bundle for added credibility.
  3. SSA Identity Verification
    • Use notarized bundle to request Social Security card replacement.
    • Be prepared for manual review or additional verification steps.
  4. Birth Certificate Retrieval
    • Request with SSN plus notarized alternative documents.
    • Apply for fee waivers if eligible.
  5. State ID
    • Use birth certificate, SSN, and proof-of-residency letter to obtain state ID.
  6. Transition to Independent Address
    • Rent a single room; update all documentation with new address.
  7. Economic Access
    • Open bank account; engage in gig work, remote platforms, or freelance activities.

Proof of Residency

  • Temporary Host Letter – Signed letter confirming actual residency; attach host ID and optional utility bill.
  • Notarized Document Bundle – Confirms identity for agency review.
  • Transition to Own Address – Once a room is rented, all official documents and accounts should reflect the new address.

Disclaimer & Considerations

  • Jurisdictional Variability: Not all states accept private host letters as proof of residency; SSA, DMV, and bank policies differ.
  • Notary Limitations: Notarization does not certify factual accuracy; it only verifies the signer’s identity.
  • Timeline Uncertainty: Recovery process may take weeks to months depending on agency backlog and local rules.
  • Legal Compliance: All addresses and documents must reflect truthful, accessible information.
  • Support Networks: Engagement with local legal aid, social workers, or nonprofit advocates improves success likelihood.
  • Economic Realities: Gig work is variable income; consider supplemental income or micro-grant support.

Resources

Primary Government Agencies

Social Security Administration

Federal Documentation Resources

Educational Records

National Student Clearinghouse

Federal Education Department

Employment Verification

The Work Number (Equifax)

Correctional Records

Federal Bureau of Prisons

State Resources

Vital Records and Birth Certificates

Official Government Resources

State Fee Waiver Programs

Military Records

National Archives

Contact Information

  • Phone: 314-801-0800 (7 AM-5 PM Central Time, Monday-Friday)
  • Emergency Fax: 314-801-0764 (urgent requests)

Mutual Aid Networks

Hospitality Exchange Platforms

  • Trustroots.org - Free non-profit hospitality exchange, 30,000+ members
  • Warmshowers.org - Hospitality for touring cyclists, 185,000+ members
  • BeWelcome.org - Largest free hospitality community, 271,304+ members
  • Couchers.org - Newest platform, 50,000+ members, completely free

Legal Aid and Support Services

Legal Services Corporation

Specialized Support

State DMV Alternative Documentation

Selected State Resources

Research and Best Practices

Government Accountability Office

This Way Up Resources

Project Information

References and Documentation

  • Social Security Administration Program Operations Manual System (POMS) - Alternative verification guidelines
  • Federal FERPA regulations (34 CFR Part 99) - Educational records access rights
  • State fee waiver program documentation - Birth certificate programs for homeless individuals
  • Legal Services Corporation Program Letter 20-2 - Emergency documentation flexibility guidance
  • Homeless & Housing Resource Center ID Toolkit, hhrctraining.org
  • Social Security Administration: Proof of Identity Guidelines
  • State Fee Waiver Programs (California, Florida, Washington examples)