Green card and social security number

[Erroneous 0]

This might be posted in the wrong forum, if so I apologize. My wife and step-son got their green card last week and I would like to know if are both allowed a social security number free of restrictions based on them posessing a green card.

My wife's current SS card is valid only for work, so can I apply for a new one and have that removed? And is there any additional criteria needed to get her son a social security number? If he cannot I will just apply for an ITIN.

Thank you. I looked on Social Security's website and called them, and surprisingly they say they do not know and to go in to the local office. Hopefully someone here does.

Thanks.

[Erroneous 0]

To clarify, my wifes SS card says valid only for work with DHS approval (or something similar). Will that change or always state that exactly even with a green card?

Edited February 4, 2011 by Erroneous

[marriedtomrg 141]

Your wife already has an SSN, that's her number for life regardless of what restrictions are printed (or not printed) on the card. SSA will not allow your wife to re-apply for a card without the words. I was looking into that myself after we got our green cards. It's on the instructions of the SSN form. I wouldn't worry about it too much, my card also says Valid to Work only with DHS authorization. The green card should dispel any doubt that she can work anywhere.

Your stepson will qualify for an SSN now that he has a green card, no worries.

This might be posted in the wrong forum, if so I apologize. My wife and step-son got their green card last week and I would like to know if are both allowed a social security number free of restrictions based on them posessing a green card.

My wife's current SS card is valid only for work, so can I apply for a new one and have that removed? And is there any additional criteria needed to get her son a social security number? If he cannot I will just apply for an ITIN.

Thank you. I looked on Social Security's website and called them, and surprisingly they say they do not know and to go in to the local office. Hopefully someone here does.

Thanks.

[Erroneous 0]

Your wife already has an SSN, that's her number for life regardless of what restrictions are printed (or not printed) on the card. SSA will not allow your wife to re-apply for a card without the words. I was looking into that myself after we got our green cards. It's on the instructions of the SSN form. I wouldn't worry about it too much, my card also says Valid to Work only with DHS authorization. The green card should dispel any doubt that she can work anywhere.

Your stepson will qualify for an SSN now that he has a green card, no worries.

Thank you. Very helpful.

[nickbits 43]

If you have a greencard, you most certainly can get a SSN card that doesn't stay "only valid with DHS authorization".

The unrestricted card is given to greencard holders and US citizens.

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm

[marriedtomrg 141]

I thought so too, except I read this on the SS-5 application form:

LIMITS ON REPLACEMENT SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS

Public Law 108-458 limits the number of replacement Social Security cards you may receive to 3 per calendar year and 10 in a lifetime. Cards issued to reflect changes to your legal name or changes to a work authorization legend do not count toward these limits. We may also grant exceptions to these limits if you provide evidence from an official source to establish that a Social Security card is required.

If you have a greencard, you most certainly can get a SSN card that doesn't stay "only valid with DHS authorization".

The unrestricted card is given to greencard holders and US citizens.

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm

[Erroneous 0]

I thought so too, except I read this on the SS-5 application form:

LIMITS ON REPLACEMENT SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS

Public Law 108-458 limits the number of replacement Social Security cards you may receive to 3 per calendar year and 10 in a lifetime. Cards issued to reflect changes to your legal name or changes to a work authorization legend do not count toward these limits. We may also grant exceptions to these limits if you provide evidence from an official source to establish that a Social Security card is required.

The way I read that is that we are limited to so many per year/lifetime, but a new card requested for change in work authorization legend does not count toward that limit. So now based on both of your posts it sounds like she can get a new card.

[marriedtomrg 141]

Goodness, if that's true then we should go for it I swear all this legalese has fried my brain. We just finished our AOS journey.

The way I read that is that we are limited to so many per year/lifetime, but a new card requested for change in work authorization legend does not count toward that limit. So now based on both of your posts it sounds like she can get a new card.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Goodness, if that's true then we should go for it I swear all this legalese has fried my brain. We just finished our AOS journey.

It doesn't matter what the SS card says, but I would update your status with the SSA at the least. You want to let them know you are now a LPR in case something happens to you (Social security benefits payable on death to your family members, etc). Sorry to be morbid, but lifetime limits, eligibility, etc, are effected by this (and probably other things). Once you are USC, you also want to go let the SS office know, as you are eligible for more than a LPR. Good luck.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Goodness, if that's true then we should go for it I swear all this legalese has fried my brain. We just finished our AOS journey.

It is true. I updated mine recently.. still waiting for it

[SALLY AND MIKE 0]

last month i went to Social security office not to change my SSN but to show my green card and my SSN,,Coz the last time i get SSN it was only a work permit i show and in the SSN it appears on the card that valid only for the date of DHS,,which only the date of my work permit,,,,And he give me a new SSN with the same number i get before and the card had no DHS put over there...It takes one week i get on the mailbox my new SSN with same number before.......

what should u do is go back to SSA bring your green card,,,and ur SSN u get before,,show to the officer and they will give u a new SSN with same number.......without DHS put in the card......

[Kathryn41 3,205]

This might be posted in the wrong forum, if so I apologize.

No problem . Thread moved from AOS forum to Working & Travelling During US Immigration forum.