The thing I was reading had to do with getting your DL. They tried to make it a law but had to strike that out. I don't think you have to have a SSS for employment unless it is a government job. The only things I recall having seen as a detriment for not getting a SSS is
No federal grants
No Social Security
No federal loans etc
and probably no government employment.
Hmmm. I hope he has a SSS# then since he has a government job. And I hope none of his loans or grants he has had were government backed or matched. He may ended up with a nice bill.