some employers not accepting temporary SSN

[mervin338 2]

Ok, so my wife received her EAD and her social security card a little over a month ago, though we're still waiting for her green card interview. Regardless, she's got everything she needs to legally work, but it seems that some employers won't hire her a job because her social security card has that temporary stamp on it? She was turned down for a job today because of it. I was flabbergasted. What's the point of having an EAD card and a SSN if employers won't accept it? I'm sure this won't be the case with all employers (at least I hope not), but it's certainly troubling, to say the least. Anyone had experience with this?

[ChicagoSarah 127]

that shouldn't be an issue. if she has the SSN card with the disclaimer about work, it should be fine when she presents it with her EAD. She would still come up as eligible to work in e-verify.

I can't remember correctly, but I would think she could go back to the SS office now that she has her EAD and have that language removed to help prevent confusion in the future.

[Sunnyland 639]

Make sure her ssn card has the wording "valid for work only with DHS authorization" . If it does not say it, then go back to the ssn building with the EAD, ssn card, passport, etc so they include that phrase on the card.

[mervin338 2]

Make sure her ssn card has the wording "valid for work only with DHS authorization" . If it does not say it, then go back to the ssn building with the EAD, ssn card, passport, etc so they include that phrase on the card.

This is exactly what her card says. She presented her EAD card to the social security office, which is how she got her SSN to begin with. I find it very strange that some employers won't accept this for employment.

Edited March 23, 2015 by mervin338

[novedsac 355]

This is exactly what her card says. She presented her EAD card to the social security office, which is how she got her SSN to begin with. I find it very strange that some employers won't accept this for employment.

The SSN is permanent; 'temporary' numbers are not issued.

The EAD is the authorization from DHS that the statement on the card is referring to.

Employers, like people, are often ignorant of these things.

They will remove the statement after LPR has been granted; she can revisit the Social Security Office when she has her Green Card and have another card issued without the disclaimer. In the meantime, the only recourse is to 'gently' educate potential employers on why this SSN/EAD combination are perfectly valid for employment.

Edited March 23, 2015 by novedsac

[ggsacks 82]

This is exactly what her card says. She presented her EAD card to the social security office, which is how she got her SSN to begin with. I find it very strange that some employers won't accept this for employment.

Employers must accept a valid EAD as proof of employment eligibility, and it's illegal for them to deny employment based on what you've outlined above (unless citizenship/residency is a legal requirement for the position). I don't have any practical suggestions for dealing this, but it would pay to read up on the rules so you can approach this with all the facts.

The EAD card is itself the DHS authorization that the note on the SS card references. The only thing that condition means is that the SS card, if presented on its own, isn't proof of work authorization. But the EAD absolutely is.

A lot of information is available here: http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/osc/htm/facts.php#ead

Edited March 23, 2015 by GiuseppeG

[mervin338 2]

The SSN is permanent; 'temporary' numbers are not issued.

The EAD is the authorization from DHS that the statement on the card is referring to.

Employers, like people, are often ignorant of these things.

They will remove the statement after LPR has been granted; she can revisit the Social Security Office when she has her Green Card and have another card issued without the disclaimer. In the meantime, the only recourse is to 'gently' educate potential employers on why this SSN/EAD combination are perfectly valid for employment.

Of course the number is permanent, I was implying the language on the card isn't permanent. You're indeed correct about employers being ignorant. Finding her a job has proven to be a lot harder than I expected. Even menial retails jobs are not as easy to get as I thought and she's starting to get upset no one wants to hire her.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

[mervin338 2]

Employers must accept a valid EAD as proof of employment eligibility, and it's illegal for them to deny employment based on what you've outlined above (unless citizenship/residency is a legal requirement for the position). I don't have any practical suggestions for dealing this, but it would pay to read up on the rules so you can approach this with all the facts.

The EAD card is itself the DHS authorization that the note on the SS card references. The only thing that condition means is that the SS card, if presented on its own, isn't proof of work authorization. But the EAD absolutely is.

A lot of information is available here: http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/osc/htm/facts.php#ead

As someone posted above, employers are indeed ignorant. I actually called the H&M clothing store my wife was interviewed at and told them she's legally eligible to work and that her social security card was valid, regardless of what they disliked about the language on the card. This was her second interview, and they were prepared to hire her.

You're right, there aren't any practical ways to deal with it, other than to have her look some place else for a job.

[CowBoE 429]

You are legal to work with EAD and SS card, those two doesn't guarantee any job.

Employer is obligated to give everyone a fair consideration, but in the end

they are going to select the most suitable candidate they are comfortable with.

Heck...even with as a US citizen, Computer Science degree, and several key industry certifications,

I got turned down from many many jobs in my career. And you really never get to find out the

real reason on why they turned you down because company doesn't want any lawsuits.

That said, I've been on the hiring end for many years as well, and in most situations,

I have to reject 99% of resumes in order to hire 1 or 2 best candidates.

Expect to get turned down many times in job search...similar to how we also avoid many jobs that we don't like...

so it's a fair selection game played by both sides. Such is how the job search game is played.

Edited March 24, 2015 by DualityOneness

[ggsacks 82]

You are legal to work with EAD and SS card, those two doesn't guarantee any job.

Employer is obligated to give everyone a fair consideration, but in the end

they are going to select the most suitable candidate they are comfortable with.

Heck...even with as a US citizen, Computer Science degree, and several key industry certifications,

I got turned down from many many jobs in my career. And you really never get to find out the

real reason on why they turned you down because company doesn't want any lawsuits.

That said, I've been on the hiring end for many years as well, and in most situations,

I have to reject 99% of resumes in order to hire 1 or 2 best candidates.

Expect to get turned down many times in job search...similar to how we also avoid many jobs that we don't like...

so it's a fair selection game played by both sides. Such is how the job search game is played.

It sounds like they did cite a reason for not hiring her though, and that reason happens to not be legal.

[Darnell 8,478]

This is exactly what her card says. She presented her EAD card to the social security office, which is how she got her SSN to begin with. I find it very strange that some employers won't accept this for employment.

dhs authorization = ead card, for your wife.

study i-9 form carefully.

wife remind new interviewers to check her on e-verify, is easy.

Edited March 24, 2015 by Darnell

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

Employers can be ignorant. They do not realize that they are violating federal law by refusing to accept the EAD.

Print out the I-9 and show them where it is acceptable for employment.

[UKUS123 15]

As someone posted above, employers are indeed ignorant. I actually called the H&M clothing store my wife was interviewed at and told them she's legally eligible to work and that her social security card was valid, regardless of what they disliked about the language on the card. This was her second interview, and they were prepared to hire her.

You're right, there aren't any practical ways to deal with it, other than to have her look some place else for a job.

What did they say? Do they know they can actually hire her?

[mervin338 2]

What did they say? Do they know they can actually hire her?

The store manager pulled out the corporate rule book which she said indicated that no one with a temporary social security card was eligible for employment at H&M clothing store. I don't think they were trying to find an excuse not to hire her, if they were, that's not the kind of excuse they would use.

I told the manager very clearly that she's eligible for employment. The manager is a young girl, and she's probably misunderstanding what the company rules really state. Regardless, there's lots of these types of jobs out there. We'll just move on and find something else.

[milimelo 4,486]

The store manager pulled out the corporate rule book which she said indicated that no one with a temporary social security card was eligible for employment at H&M clothing store. I don't think they were trying to find an excuse not to hire her, if they were, that's not the kind of excuse they would use.

I told the manager very clearly that she's eligible for employment. The manager is a young girl, and she's probably misunderstanding what the company rules really state. Regardless, there's lots of these types of jobs out there. We'll just move on and find something else.

Corporate rule book can't trump the US laws - they can't pick and choose what to accept for I-9. I'd call up local DOL inspection to teach them the real rules. Even if your wife doesn't get a job there, they'll learn so they don't do it to another recent immigrant.