With holidays and vacations, December is often considered a time to focus on the children in our lives. Whether we’re taking the kids to visit Santa, buying Hanukkah gifts, or volunteering for a toy drive, children are at the heart of the holiday season. We at Social Security definitely know a thing or two about helping children.

Did you know that we issue Social Security numbers for children, typically during the first weeks or months of their life? You can learn about Social Security numbers for children by reading our publication, Social Security Numbers For Children, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

A child needs a Social Security number if he or she is going to have a bank account, if a relative is buying savings bonds for the child, if the child will have medical coverage, or if the child will receive government services. You’ll also need a Social Security number for a child to claim him or her on your tax returns. Typically, the hospital will ask if you want to apply for a Social Security number for your newborn as part of the birth registration process. This is the easiest and fastest way to apply.

If you wait to apply, you will have to visit a Social Security office and you must:

• Complete an Application For a Social Security Card (Form SS-5).
• Show us original documents proving your child’s U.S. citizenship, age, and identity.
• Show us documents proving your identity.

Remember, a child age 12 or older requesting an original Social Security number must appear in person for the interview, even though a parent or guardian will sign the application on the child’s behalf.

You can imagine the many diverse needs that children around the world have. The children of some countries aren’t as fortunate, and don’t have the strong social safety net that we have in the United States. We work hard at Social Security to protect the needs of children, particularly if one or both of their parents are disabled, retired, or deceased. These benefits for children provide necessities, and help many minors complete high school. You can learn more by reading our publication, Benefits For Children, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Children with disabilities are among our most vulnerable citizens. Social Security is dedicated to helping those with qualifying disabilities and their families through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSI:

• The child must have a physical or mental condition, or a combination of conditions, resulting in “marked and severe functional limitations.” This means that the condition(s) must severely limit your child’s activities.
• The child’s condition(s) must be severe, last for at least 12 months, or be expected to result in death.
• If your child’s condition(s) does not result in “marked and severe limitations”, or does not result in those limitations for at least 12 months, your child will not qualify for SSI.
• The child must not be working and earning more than $1,090 a month in 2015. (This amount usually changes every year.) If he or she is working and earning that much money, your child will not be eligible for disability benefits.

Learn the details about benefits for children by reading the publication,Benefits for Children with Disabilities, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/people/kids to learn more about all that is done to care for children. Caring for the next generation is a national priority, during the holidays and all year long.

25 YEARS AGO

The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners recently accepted the resignation of Community Services agency employee Muriel Boyum.

40 YEARS AGO

Mrs. Dennis Leif and Mrs. James Herberd will be hostesses at a new booth featured at this year’s Falls Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Bazaar. The Tasting Booth, catered by Mrs. John Koranda and Mrs. Philip Alstrom, will give patrons the opportunity to sample exotic foods and to view the demonstration of Tempura (oriental) cooking.

Littlefork Vikings Jim Treat and Pat Moran were named to the North Star All-Conference football team for 1974.

Capt. Gary L. Gilchrist, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Gilchrist, has returned to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he is stationed at Hickam Air Force Base. He spent two weeks visiting during the Thanksgiving holiday with his parents and his brother and sister-in-law.

50 YEARS AGO

The little man who has impersonated Santa Claus, Old St. Nick and Kris Kringle, and spread happiness in that capacity for the past five years or more – late Wednesday caused as much unhappiness among young and old as he collapsed while playing his favorite role, Santa Claus. Frank Wesley, 76, was pronounced dead on arrival at Falls Memorial Hospital. He was being transported in a truck from the National Food store to the Piggly Wiggly parking area when the genial Santa in his red suit virtually “died with his boots on.”

Marine Private First Class Fred M. Jordan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jordan Sr., of International Falls, is serving with Marine Battalion Landing Team 3/3, which was awarded a plaque recently for assisting in flood relief operations recently in South Viet Nam.

A girl was born today at Falls Memorial Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Epley, 7 pounds, 4 1/2 ounces, Jane Marie.

60 YEARS AGO

Bronco six-footers Doyle Hartje, Philip Johnson and Elmer Braaten will be counted on to offset some of Coleraine’s height and all-around backboard play here Saturday night when the two basketball team clash in Backus Auditorium.

Cpl. Edward C. Pautz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Pautz of this city, recently left Korea with the 24th infantry division, which has been assigned to Hakata, Japan.

Georgia Ann Biondich entertained 12 little friends at a supper party Wednesday, the occasion being her seventh birthday.

Pvt. William (Tom) Holt, United States Marine Corps, left this morning for Camp Pendleton, near Oceanside, Calif., after spending a 21-day furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Holt, 121 12th St.

70 YEARS AGO

Lt. and Mrs. Emil O. Kantor are parents of a son, Collen Emil, born today at the Littlefork Hospital.

The Wenberg Transfer left this morning for Duluth with the household goods of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Larsen. The Larsens will make Duluth their future home.

Back in the States after several months of active sea duty in the Pacific area, Roy Langlois, S1/c, arrived in the city to spend a 21-day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Langlois of Carson-Lupie Addition.

George Masters, EM2/c, who has returned to the States after over 10 months active sea duty in the south Pacific, arrived in the city this morning to spend a short leave with his mother, Mrs. O.J. Masters, 434 1/2 Third St.

Mass of the Resurrection was offered at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at St. Thomas Catholic Church for Carol Joann Dalton, 77, of International Falls, who died Wednesday morning, Nov. 26.

Officiating was Fr. Ben Hadrich and Deacon Fran Zaren.

Music was by Joe Belanger.

A reading was given by Pat Kjellgren with Presentation of Gifts by John Dalton, Charlie Dalton and Ashley Dalton.

Eucharistic ministers were Bunny Green and Judy Potter.

Honorary casketbearers were Charlie Dalton and John Dalton.

Ushers were Frank Watkinson and Bev Nagurski.

Visitation was Sunday, Nov. 30, at Green-Larsen Mortuary, with Recitation of the Holy Rosary.

Interment was Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Arrangements were with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.

When you’re at your favorite coffee shop waiting for your drink to cool, the first thing you might do is open up your laptop and search for a Wi-Fi connection. Though it is a convenience, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota seeks to remind the public about the potential dangers of using public Wi-Fi networks.

Many businesses, particularly coffee shops, campus hangouts and even some retailers, have found that offering their patrons free Wi-Fi brings in more business and keeps customers coming back. However, it’s important for consumers to keep in mind that hackers sometimes target public Wi-Fi users to steal their personal information.

To avoid being hacked while using a public Wi-Fi connection, BBB recommends the following tips:

• Verify the network before use. To verify a Wi-Fi network, simply ask an employee at the coffee shop what network they provide for customers. Also, is it password-protected?
• Use common sense when you connect. If you’re signed in through an unsecured or unprotected network, be cautious about the sites you visit and the information you share.

• Invest in your own personal hotspot

If you have a smartphone, you may also have a hotspot: a device that offers Internet access over a wireless local area network. All you have to do is contact your provider and set up a plan. Keep in mind, though, that while your own personal hotspot is convenient, it’s important to properly set up your security settings.

• Cover up your keyboard when typing in usernames or passwords, as some hackers obtain information simply by glancing over your shoulder.
• If you find a USB thumb drive on a coffee table, don’t use it. Some hackers leave USB thumb drives out in the open because they want you to use them. Once a compromised thumb drive is in your laptop, your personal information can be accessed.
• Keep in mind that a computer should always have the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a secure firewall.

In addition to the coffee shop crowd, hackers also target business travelers that spend much of their time in airports and hotels. Such travelers are often busy answering emails, returning phone calls and planning for their next meeting. When arriving at their hotel after a long day, they might check their email one last time before getting some rest. At such a time, though it may be tempting to simply shut the laptop and nod off, keep in mind that just because a computer is ‘closed,’ that doesn’t mean your information is safe. Always be sure to log out of your online accounts and close out all programs when you’re done using your laptop.

Business travelers and all public Wi-Fi users should also consider the following tips when accessing the Internet on the go:

• Watch out for fake networks

In order to avoid fake networks, ask an employee at the airport or hotel to verify the Wi-Fi network they provide for customers.

• Avoid certain websites, such as social networking or shopping sites, or any website that requires you to use a debit

• or credit card.
• Keep in mind that banking online via a public Wi-Fi connection carries inherent risks. If you must access your bank information online and in a public place, be sure to check your statement frequently to verify that your account hasn’t been compromised.

Change your Wi-Fi settings so your computer doesn’t automatically connect to networks. Keep Wi-Fi off when you’re not using it.

• Change your usernames and passwords as frequently as possible.

Make your passwords complex so hackers can’t easily break into your computer.

Despite the dangers that hackers pose, you can certainly do things to reduce your risk of problems when taking advantage of a public Wi-Fi connection.

For the latest fraud alerts, marketplace news and free BBB Business Reviews, visit bbb.org.

The mission of Better Business Bureau is to be the leader in building marketplace trust by promoting through self-regulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, and to instill confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action to inform, assist and protect the general public. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact BBB at bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222.