Cindy Nielsen, age 11, of Sioux City, Iowa, for her question:

WHEN WERE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS FIRST USED?

Social Security protection and numbers for all workers came about as a result of the Social Security Act of 1935. This was a plan for federally administered old age insurance. Prior to this date Social Security laws included only workers’ compensation, old age and mother’s assistance and general relief.

The 1935 law also set up unemployment insurance on a state by state basis. Later laws also widened coverage, liberalized qualification and increased benefits.

In 1965 Congress established a system of hospital and related health insurance benefits under the Social Security Act. A voluntary system of insurance to pay medical bills also started with both programs called Medicare.