SSN(Social Security Number)

From: fmaia@cwixmail.com
To: je1cka@jzap.com
Subject: IMPORTANT!  New Social Security Number Collection Requirement
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 19:46:55 -0500


Takeo  Kumagai  KH0AM   7645    Tokyo     Japan


Dear Contact VE:

     The FCC is now collecting applicant's Social Security
Numbers (SSN) for the first time.
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     EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT CONTACT VE'S
REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO WRITE IN THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN)
ON ALL FCC FORM 610 APPLICATIONS THAT ARE FILED FOR NEW OR
UPGRADED AMATEUR RADIO LICENSES.
     This can be done at the top or left side margin of the Form
610, such as: "SSN: 123-45-6789".  It is also important that the
applicant's daytime phone number be included after their signature
(on line 7.)  The application will be AUTOMATICALLY REJECTED by
the FCC's computers after July 25, 1999 if these two pieces
information are not included.
     UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A VE TEAM SUBMIT ANY FCC FORM
610 APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE SSN AFTER JULY 15TH!

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Amateur Service to participate in new Universal Licensing System

     We have been notified by the FCC that the new Universal
Licensing System (ULS) will be implemented in the Amateur Service
on August 2, 1999.  The FCC also said that "The last time we will
accept batch files from the VEC's is July 25, 1999, 4:00 p.m.
(Eastern Standard Time) using the present application filing
system and database.

     If the applicant does not wish to give out their SSN, a
corresponding "Licensee ID" (which is generated when the applicant
registers their SSN with the FCC) may be substituted.

     Between July 25 and mid-August, the FCC has advised us that
we should anticipate processing delays until the new ULS system is
operating properly.  The FCC has already begun testing of the new
ULS batch filing system with the various VECs.

     A new (paper document) Form 605 has also been prepared which
we will shortly distribute to Contact VEs.  The FCC said that the
current FCC Form 610 may be used for a period not to exceed 6
(six) months.

     Between July 25 and mid-August, the FCC has advised us that
we should anticipate processing delays until the new ULS system is
operating properly.

Why does the FCC need Social Security Numbers?

     The FCC is required by the Debt Collection Improvement Act
of 1996 to collect Social Security Numbers (SSNs) when they issue
a license.

     This is not open to further discussion among the Amateur
community ...or the FCC for that matter.  Congress is requiring
the SSN collection procedure from all Federal agencies.  The FCC
is just following through on what is now Public Law 104-134.

     The bottom line is that applicants will either have to
furnish the VE team their SSN - or a corresponding "Licensee ID"
number that is generated when they register their SSN with the FCC
 - or they will be unable to obtain a new or upgraded license (or
even renew their license.)

     The primary purpose of the Debt Collection Improvement Act
of 1996 is to maximize collections of delinquent debts owed to the
Government at minimum cost.  This measure marks the beginning of
federal efforts to collect delinquent debts which now total over
$100 billion.

The applicant can supply their SSN to the VE team in either of two
ways.

     (1)  They can enter their SSN on the Form 610 (or new 605)
     or, if they prefer not to,
     (2)  They MUST register their SSN with the FCC and enter the
     corresponding "Licensee ID"that is generated instead of
     their SSN.

     Most of you subscribe to the W5YI Report and we covered the
registration procedure in our May 15th issue.  It is also
published on our website at http://www.w5yi.org.  For those of
you who missed it, here is the procedure that an applicant must
follow in order to obtain a "Licensee ID" to use in place of their
SSN on the Form 610 or new Form 605.
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     (1.) Once the existing Amateur Service database is converted
     to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) on August 2, it will
     be necessary that all Amateur Radio applications submitted
     contain either the applicant's social security number or its
     corresponding "Licensee ID."  You obtain the "Licensee ID"
     by registering your SSN with the FCC.

     (2.) Registration is the process of identifying yourself (and
     your call signs if you have one or more) to the ULS.  You do
     not need to hold an FCC license in order to register with
     the ULS.  First time applicants for an Amateur Radio license
     may also register prior to filing an application if they do
     not wish to furnish their SSN to the VE/VEC System.  Once
     registered, the Social Security Number will not be
     disclosed.

     (3.) Applicants will receive a nine-character Licensee
     Identification Number when they register.  This number will
     begin with the letter 'L' and be followed by eight digits. 
     If they are registered in ULS, they will not need to provide
     their Social Security Number to the VE/VEC.  Instead, they
     furnish their Licensee Identification Number.

     (4.) When registering, you provide your Social Security
     Number, as well as your name, mailing address, phone number,
     and any call sign for which you are licensed, regardless of
     radio service. (For example, if you have an Amateur Service
     license and a license in one of the Private Land Mobile
     Radio Services, you need to provide the call sign for both
     licenses.)

     (5.) In the current Amateur Service database, the Amateur's
     station call sign is used as the "key"   or "unique
     identifier."  ULS uses the Social Security Number (and
      not the station call sign) as the record identifier.
     (6.) An applicant can register for the ULS either:
          (A)  electronically over the Internet by pointing their
          Web browser to  and clicking
          on the "TIN/Call Sign Registration button." or 
          (B)  they can file a paper FCC Form 606 document.

     (7.) This form may be obtained by either downloading it from
     the web at  or from the
     FCC's Forms Distribution Center at: 1-800-418-FORM (3676).

     (8.) The completed form should either be faxed to:
     (717-338-2693) or mailed back to:  Federal Communications
     Commission, Information Technology Division, Attention: Kathy
     McLucas, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245.

     AGAIN, THE APPLICANT'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (OR A
CORRESPONDING LICENSEE ID) AND DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER MUST BE
INCLUDED ON ALL APPLICATIONS FOR AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR/STATION
LICENSES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

     Please e-mail us or telephone us at (toll free) 1-800-669-
9594) if you have any questions.

73/Fred/W5YI
W5YI-VEC, Inc.