When a transferee completes an application for a Social Security number, it is recommended that they use a permanent residential address. If they have not yet secured permanent housing, they can use an address of their short-term corporate apartment but it is not recommended that they use a hotel or a business address. This is because the post office may intercept the card and shred it (due to Social Security fraud issues).

Social Security does offer another option for transferees without a residential address, which is to have the card sent to the closest Social Security field office. According to a recent audit report conducted by the Social Security's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), however, Social Security cards addressed to the field offices have not been delivered consistently.

If the transferee does not yet have a permanent residential address or is staying temporarily in a hotel, it is strongly recommended that they have the card sent to the home of a trusted colleague to ensure receipt of the card.

EG