EAD in the mail, now question about SSN?

[MarisolT 1]

My mother got her EAD in the mail today, I assume she now has to apply for a SSN in order to actually be able to apply for jobs. She does have a "not valid for work" SSN that she was issued when she first entered the country years ago (tourist SSN, idk)

So do they just let her keep the same number and just update her status or will they give her a whole new number? Looking over the SSN application it asks if she has ever been issued a SSN before, which we checked YES and wrote the number, so Im guessing she'll get to keep it but am not sure... anyone had an experience like this before?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

SSN is yours forever, even after death. If she has SSN now then there is no need to get a new card; with EAD it will still say "not valid without" etc. However, how was she able to obtain a SSN only a few years ago on a mere tourist visa? Was it like 20 years ago?

[MarisolT 1]

It was back in 93 or 94 I believe (yes, a long time ago) I just figured it might be best to have a card that doesnt have the "not valid for work" even if it only changes to "only valid with EAD" or something like that... some employers arent as up with the immigration lingo as we'd like

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Good point. Now it will say "not valid without DHS authorization" or something which indicates it can be valid for work in certain circumstances. She can get a replacement card and update her status as EAD holder. When she gets the GC she can update again for an unrestricted card. The number is always the same.

[MarisolT 1]

I figured as much since I had to do the same going from resident to citizen, like you said your SSN number is yours forever LOL!