N400 Question : New Social Security Card

[VisaVisaVisaVisa 4]

In the N400, it is asking if I'd like to have a new social security card issued if and when naturalization happens. 
 

is there benefit to that?

 

i have one currently... does it require an update?

[Crazy Cat 42,999]

No....unless you still have a "only with work authorization" card.  There is a benefit in having USCIS notify Social Security of your citizenship status.

[VisaVisaVisaVisa 4]

Current SSN says Valid for work only with dhs auth. So it would make sense for them to update right?

[Crazy Cat 42,999]

8 minutes ago, VisaVisaVisaVisa said:

Current SSN says Valid for work only with dhs auth. So it would make sense for them to update right?

Yes

[Rekyrts 103]

On 3/23/2025 at 7:12 AM, VisaVisaVisaVisa said:

In the N400, it is asking if I'd like to have a new social security card issued if and when naturalization happens. 
 

is there benefit to that?

 

i have one currently... does it require an update?

 

One benefit is the aforementioned removal of the work authorization legend. Another benefit is making sure SSA properly categorizes your retirement benefits.

Lastly, it's a good idea to have one more federal agency (in addition to USCIS and DOS after passport) know your citizenship status.

FYI, per news reports last week, this service (Enumeration beyond Entry) is going away, so you might have to go in to do it in-person anyway.

Edited March 24 by Rekyrts

[yuna628 9,778]

Update your status with SSA and I'd also update your status with the DMV if possible.

[Crazy Cat 42,999]

6 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

and I'd also update your status with the DMV if possible

Yes.  That is very beneficial here in Texas.  As a Green Card holder, you must change the home address on your DL in person at a DPS office.  US citizens can just make address changes online.  

[Babu Frik 1,162]

USCIS has paused doing this, so you'll need to go to an office in person for now.

[OldUser 8,531]

11 minutes ago, Babu Frik said:

USCIS has paused doing this, so you'll need to go to an office in person for now.

When? Do you have a link?

[Babu Frik 1,162]

41 minutes ago, OldUser said:

When? Do you have a link?

https://popular.info/p/exclusive-secret-policy-shift-could

 

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/social-security-freezes-program-that-processes-numbers-and-cards-for-over-3-million-people-report-63f2d0bc#

 

you can find some discussions on reddit around these too

[OldUser 8,531]

53 minutes ago, Babu Frik said:

https://popular.info/p/exclusive-secret-policy-shift-could

 

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/social-security-freezes-program-that-processes-numbers-and-cards-for-over-3-million-people-report-63f2d0bc#

 

you can find some discussions on reddit around these too

Hmm, I wish there were more sources for this information, and ideally statement from SSA on their website etc. Or at least CNN, Fox or other major network reporting it. So far only Popular.info reported this and MarketWatch.com quoting Popular. Essentially, one source which I'm not that familiar with or have trust... It's also unclear whether everybody whose applications were on file before March 19 would get processed or not.

 

I will keep posted here. If it 4-8 weeks I don't receive replacement SS card, I'll go and update info in person.

1 hour ago, Babu Frik said:

USCIS has paused doing this, so you'll need to go to an office in person for now.

So allegedly SSA paused it not USCIS. But let's see if this is even true.

[MrHanky 1,379]

9 hours ago, OldUser said:

Hmm, I wish there were more sources for this information, and ideally statement from SSA on their website etc. Or at least CNN, Fox or other major network reporting it. So far only Popular.info reported this and MarketWatch.com quoting Popular. Essentially, one source which I'm not that familiar with or have trust... It's also unclear whether everybody whose applications were on file before March 19 would get processed or not.

 

I will keep posted here. If it 4-8 weeks I don't receive replacement SS card, I'll go and update info in person.

So allegedly SSA paused it not USCIS. But let's see if this is even true.

This is part of the SSA changes they were secretly trying to do that everyone is reporting about. It's delayed by 2 weeks now any maybe some other tweaks after the uproar when people found out. The downside is that it may never be clear so in the end you may just need to go to the office anyway.

 

I think what not everyone knows is that even if your card doesn't have restrictions on it, you still need to get your status updated.
 

[OldUser 8,531]

43 minutes ago, MrHanky said:

 

I think what not everyone knows is that even if your card doesn't have restrictions on it, you still need to get your status updated.
 

 

I don't know how though...

 

1) After naturalizing you receive a folder with information. One paper in it is printout of things you need to do after becoming citizen, including updating status at SSA

2) USCIS person mentioned it during ceremony specifically

3) This website also tells to do it:

https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/new-us-citizens

 

But I guess after being told by 3 different sources to do it, some people still don't know. Sigh...

 

Edited Saturday at 02:29 PM by OldUser

[yuna628 9,778]

So I don't know if this is just a local SSA office thing, but here you can't actually go in without making a physical appointment since COVID (same as with the DMV), at least when we did it back in 2023. Every single time we needed to update a record we went in. It used to be walk-ins (but you were crazy to do it unless it was on a Wed), but I have to tell ya the old office was a hole in the wall mess. Eventually they changed it to a big new building and when we arrived there were 20 windows, but literally only ONE employee and then a security guard. It seemed hilarious that an appointment was needed because there was no one there that needed help. Took all of 5 minutes.

 

I have heard about some kind of directive that has been mentioned in the thread. An article or two and also from some lawyers mentioning it online, but I don't think anything officially yet? Still, I was such a stickler about making sure stuff got done in-person and not waiting around, going into the SSA is a good idea to update whatever is needed. The employee took a scan of the certificate as well.

Edited Saturday at 07:25 PM by yuna628

[OldUser 8,531]

2 hours ago, yuna628 said:

So I don't know if this is just a local SSA office thing, but here you can't actually go in without making a physical appointment since COVID (same as with the DMV), at least when we did it back in 2023. Every single time we needed to update a record we went in. It used to be walk-ins (but you were crazy to do it unless it was on a Wed), but I have to tell ya the old office was a hole in the wall mess. Eventually they changed it to a big new building and when we arrived there were 20 windows, but literally only ONE employee and then a security guard. It seemed hilarious that an appointment was needed because there was no one there that needed help. Took all of 5 minutes.

 

I have heard about some kind of directive that has been mentioned in the thread. An article or two and also from some lawyers mentioning it online, but I don't think anything officially yet? Still, I was such a stickler about making sure stuff got done in-person and not waiting around, going into the SSA is a good idea to update whatever is needed. The employee took a scan of the certificate as well.

On latest N-400 form there's a checkbox allowing USCIS to automatically notify SSA about citizenship status change. The discussion is about that service