Permanent Residency and Social Security / State ID card

[blackdog_harry 12]

Hi ~

I have a question about Permanent Residency and the Social Security Card.

I came to the States on F-1 visa and got my Social Security Card.

I also have made my state ID using my passport and social security card since I don't drive.

During the immigration process after my marriage, I haven't paid any attention to the Social Security Card.

(Nor did our lawyer mention anything about it. )

So, I haven't contacted the Social Security office when my status changed from an international student on F-1 visa to a conditional permanent resident.

Nor have I updated my state ID, which was made when I was a resident alien, not a permanent resident.

Now I think that perhaps I should have updated both Social Security card and my State ID card.

And probably I should have done so before I filed my I-751 in January. Sigh.

Does anyone know what a new permanent resident needs to do regarding her social security card and state ID card that were created before she got a green card?

Do new permanent residents have an obligation to notify social security office and state government about their status change and/or address change?

Since I work full-time, I receive social security statements. So far, I haven't paid much attention to them either.

But I know that a big chunk of my salary goes to social security tax.

As a permanent resident and non US citizen, am I even eligible for social security benefits when I get old and retire?

(Since my country does not allow dual citizenship, I am not sure I want to apply for US citizenship giving up my own...)

Any information and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Blackdog_harry

-------------------------------------------------------------

Jan 22 - Send in I-751 via express mail.

Jan 23 - Received at VSC (according to USPS).

Jan 25 - Two Checks ($205 & $70) cashed by USCIS.

Jan 29 - Received a Blue Receipt for Biometrics ($70)

Feb 12 - NOA received

Feb 14 - Biometrics appointment letter received

Feb 22 - Biometrics done in Boston.

Edited April 8, 2007 by blackdog_harry

[meredith pa 0]

Hi there

I have the feeling that you get benefits from the Social Security since you are paying for it...

I noticed that when my accoutant did my taxes, he was saying that if I ever get retired, I won't be getting any decent money...since I'm already 35, and started to work last year...But since I don't understand anything about SS...

maybe you should give a call to the SS office...I'm sure they will be able to answer these questions...and see how this works.

[meauxna 15]

Does anyone know what a new permanent resident needs to do regarding her social security card and state ID card that were created before she got a green card?

Do new permanent residents have an obligation to notify social security office and state government about their status change and/or address change?

Since I work full-time, I receive social security statements. So far, I haven't paid much attention to them either.

But I know that a big chunk of my salary goes to social security tax.

As a permanent resident and non US citizen, am I even eligible for social security benefits when I get old and retire?

(Since my country does not allow dual citizenship, I am not sure I want to apply for US citizenship giving up my own...)

There are benefits to updating your immigration status with SSA.

1-When you become a permanent resident (from the F-1 or other non-immigrant status). You can get a SS card without the 'DHS permission' legend on it. A no-legend card + a your state ID are valid hiring documents if you want to be hired for a job (in lieu of your Green Card). This is a good idea, but it is not required. No one will notify you of any upcoming steps, either.

2-When you become a US citizen, you'll want to notify SSA again. I don't have a list handy of the benefits to you for this, except that it does affect you collecting your SSA benefits from overseas in the way distant future.

You are not obligated to notify SSA of any of these changes (inlcuding moves)--it is for your benefit to do so.

It's not really a very big chunk of your pay that goes to SSA, but you can read about it here, and your upcoming benefits. You can get an annual benefits statement from SSA: http://ssa.gov/

Since you are paying in, you are entitled to collect back some at retirement (if SSA is still around). Some countries will allow it as a credit back to your own state pension if you move back to your home country, and sometimes you can collect directly from SSA, but abroad. It's a bit complex.

[blackdog_harry 12]

Thanks so much for the information!!!

I explored the SS website but it was not easy to find what I needed.

I have read that SS benefits are available for those who have worked for more than 10 yrs.

So, it seems that the age at which one starts working should not matter although of course I am not sure at all...

I guess what I am going to do is to go to the nearby social security office and see if they will issue me a SS card without a legend

since my green card has not yet expired. I am thinking about moving to a different workplace. So if I can have a SS care without a legend, it may come in handy.

But I am not sure if my request for a new card will be accepted since I already filed I-751 and got a NOA.

The SS website says when one updates one's immigration status, one should provide current immigration documents.

Does this mean that I also bring my NOA as well as my green card (which is going to expire in ten days)?

Again, thanks so much for taking time to reply!!!

(I wish that USCIS mails some booklets about all these things when it mails a green card, so that people are more aware of what things need to be done and can be done for themselves. I would have certainly updated my SS card if I had known... )

Blackdog_harry

There are benefits to updating your immigration status with SSA.

1-When you become a permanent resident (from the F-1 or other non-immigrant status). You can get a SS card without the 'DHS permission' legend on it. A no-legend card + a your state ID are valid hiring documents if you want to be hired for a job (in lieu of your Green Card). This is a good idea, but it is not required. No one will notify you of any upcoming steps, either.

2-When you become a US citizen, you'll want to notify SSA again. I don't have a list handy of the benefits to you for this, except that it does affect you collecting your SSA benefits from overseas in the way distant future.

You are not obligated to notify SSA of any of these changes (inlcuding moves)--it is for your benefit to do so.

It's not really a very big chunk of your pay that goes to SSA, but you can read about it here, and your upcoming benefits. You can get an annual benefits statement from SSA: http://ssa.gov/

Since you are paying in, you are entitled to collect back some at retirement (if SSA is still around). Some countries will allow it as a credit back to your own state pension if you move back to your home country, and sometimes you can collect directly from SSA, but abroad. It's a bit complex.

[meauxna 15]

Thanks so much for the information!!!

I explored the SS website but it was not easy to find what I needed.

I have read that SS benefits are available for those who have worked for more than 10 yrs.

So, it seems that the age at which one starts working should not matter although of course I am not sure at all...

I guess what I am going to do is to go to the nearby social security office and see if they will issue me a SS card without a legend

since my green card has not yet expired. I am thinking about moving to a different workplace. So if I can have a SS care without a legend, it may come in handy.

But I am not sure if my request for a new card will be accepted since I already filed I-751 and got a NOA.

The SS website says when one updates one's immigration status, one should provide current immigration documents.

Does this mean that I also bring my NOA as well as my green card (which is going to expire in ten days)?

Again, thanks so much for taking time to reply!!!

(I wish that USCIS mails some booklets about all these things when it mails a green card, so that people are more aware of what things need to be done and can be done for themselves. I would have certainly updated my SS card if I had known... )

Blackdog_harry

Yes, you'll find that no one can collect their SSA benefits with less than 40 quarters of SS credits (at least, I think!). But you should still have time to get your ten years in before retirement..

I do not think that SSA will issue you a no legend card. They may not accept the NOA, and your status is within 14 days of expiring. Do try it but don't be too disappointed if you don't get a result.

You might want to read this thread: Green card extension letter not enough for new job

As for booklets.. have you had a look through the Welcome to America Guide from USCIS? The link is in my siggy.. there is all sorts of good helpful info in there!

Glad I could be of some use.

[blackdog_harry 12]

Here is an update. I could not get a new card without a legend.

The person I talked to at the SS office said that my card expired although the expiration date on the card is 10 days away from today.

I am not sure if my filing I-751 automatically makes the card expired or if the card counts as expired in the same month in which the card expiration date is.

But it seems that when she typed in my SS number or A# number, the number appeared to be expired in the database.

So, my advice for those who are about to file i-175 is update your SS card first before filing I-751.

I also realized when I came back home that I forgot to show her the NOA and ask if that counts as an extension of expiration date.

But I guess it wouldn't have been accepted as an extension anyway.

So, I guess I will wait until my 10yr green card is delivered to have my new SS card replaced.

One thing that bothers me is the question of whether I lose the SS credits for the past two years I worked as a permanent resident because I have not updated my SS card since I got my 2-yr green card. That would be sad since I have paid SS tax for the past two years.. Sigh.

The person at the SS office did not answer it straightfowardly and simply told me to come back when I have a new green card.

Anybody knows about this?

[meredith pa 0]

you couldnt' get a ssn without a legend?

I don't really know what a legend is...

My SS card doesn't have any legends...It looks the same as my USC husband. But maybe that is due

to the fact my visa was a K1...I remember when I went to the SS office...I just provided the documents

and it was so easy...I didn't have any problem.

but I will have to wait untill I get the 10 year card to go to the SS office...to see if it needs to be updated..

It can't get more confusing...

Edited April 9, 2007 by meredith pa

[meauxna 15]

Here is an update. I could not get a new card without a legend.

The person I talked to at the SS office said that my card expired although the expiration date on the card is 10 days away from today.

I am not sure if my filing I-751 automatically makes the card expired or if the card counts as expired in the same month in which the card expiration date is.

But it seems that when she typed in my SS number or A# number, the number appeared to be expired in the database.

So, my advice for those who are about to file i-175 is update your SS card first before filing I-751.

I also realized when I came back home that I forgot to show her the NOA and ask if that counts as an extension of expiration date.

But I guess it wouldn't have been accepted as an extension anyway.

So, I guess I will wait until my 10yr green card is delivered to have my new SS card replaced.

One thing that bothers me is the question of whether I lose the SS credits for the past two years I worked as a permanent resident because I have not updated my SS card since I got my 2-yr green card. That would be sad since I have paid SS tax for the past two years.. Sigh.

The person at the SS office did not answer it straightfowardly and simply told me to come back when I have a new green card.

Anybody knows about this?

SSA will not issue a card if your status-proving document expires in 14 days or less. Your 10 days put you under the wire.

SSA doesn't care about your i-751--they probably do not know a thing about it. Filing I-751 did not trigger this; applying 10 days before your document expires did.

Your SSA account will NOT expire, and you will NOT lose any credits earned--they are they for you for life and you can add to them now, next year or next decade and pick up where you left off. SSA is not going to keep your money.

You in fact still have an SSA account, a SS card and if you still have a job, you are still making payments in like you always did.

You simply are 'stuck' with a card with a legend on the front until you get your new Green Card. The only problem this gives you is accepting new employment before you get your new Green Card.

Did SSA take away your old card, or do you still have it?

This is as straightforward as it gets: When you get your new card, go update your SSA account and get a no-legend card. In the meantime, don't do anything.

[meauxna 15]

you couldnt' get a ssn without a legend?

I don't really know what a legend is...

My SS card doesn't have any legends...It looks the same as my USC husband. But maybe that is due

to the fact my visa was a K1...I remember when I went to the SS office...I just provided the documents

and it was so easy...I didn't have any problem.

but I will have to wait untill I get the 10 year card to go to the SS office...to see if it needs to be updated..

It can't get more confusing...

The 'legend' on the SS card reads something like "Not valid for employment without authorization from DHS" or similar. Until you are a Permanent Resident, your card is supposed to have it. When you become a PR, you are eligible for a card without that legend.

If you got a no-legend card from SSA while you were still a K-1, you got lucky at their error.

The legend is simply a cue for a hiring employer to know that they must ask you for your EAD or work permit.

meredith: if your card already does not have that legend on the front, you do not need to get a new one when you get your 10-year card.

[blackdog_harry 12]

Thanks so much for this, meauxna. You are great!

Meridith, you are so lucky!!!

I was on F-1 visa as an international student when I got the card. Hence the legend.

It is so sad that I haven't updated my SS card earlier. If I had went one week earlier, it would have worked... sigh, sigh...

Well, at least the person at the SS office gave me back my SS card with a legend.

So yes, I am stuck with it until I get a new PR card.

I will get my card updated as soon as my new PR card comes. Who knows how long it will take...

I read that posting thread about a new workplace's HR office refusing to take NOA and then taking that refusal back.

In the end, it worked out. So I thought the particular HR office was mistaken.

But is it not the case and is it really up to HR (of individual employers) to hire someone who has an expired green card + NOA?

I think it is really not fair that people can't get a new job while the I-751 is being processed considering the process takes up to a year or longer to be resolved!

Well, I won't worry about that until I at least get to be offered a job I want first!

Thanks again!!!

Blackdog_harry

[winnie504 0]

Hi blackdog_harry,

I don't think you need to worry about your SSN. I was an F-1 students as well. I came here in 1998 and got my SSN witout any Legend or restriction. Basically my SSN just look like USC SSN. I got married since 2004 and got Conditional Green Card in 2005. I have never notify SS Office about my office nor DMV for my driving license. I been working full-time since 2005 and my company did my background check and has no problem at all.

I believe the INS, SS Office, and IRS have some sort of access to your status.

I just submitted my I-751 several weeks ago and got my biometric last week. Now I waiting to get my 10 years green card and once I received it, I will need to go to SS office to get my new card since my card is in bad shape (almost tear up).

[meauxna 15]

I think it is really not fair that people can't get a new job while the I-751 is being processed considering the process takes up to a year or longer to be resolved!

It's actually totally fair; they are applying the same standard to everyone.

You had an option to obtain the documents that would protect you from such an occasion; I'm sorry it didn't work out in time for you.

People *can* get a new job while their I-751 is being adjudicated.