Hello!
I just wanted to share with my recent experience about the SSN.
As someone in this forum have posted the topic about changing the SSN(With the INS Authorization to work only) to the some kind of an Unrestricted Social Security Card.
The thing is that yeaterday i went over to the Social Security Department and Presented my SS Card (with the INs Authorization to work only) and asked to change it to the Unrestricted Card.
The officer said ok.., and asked for my 10 year Permanent Residency Card and then told me that they gonna send to me the new SS Card within 2 weeks., BUT ITS GONNA BE THE SAME CARD AS I ALREADY HAVE AND ITS GONNA SAY THE SAME THING(with the INS authorization to work only).
So, i ve asked the officer again that i need an UNRESTRICTEd SSC and without Work authorization INs appproval letters on it.The officer said that my SSC has been Unrestricted in the first place and have been this way since the first moment ive received it ., but if i dont wanna see the words on it as: (for work with the authorization of INS only) I should become a U.S Citizen.
I;ve asked him again.whats the difference between the Perm .Resident Social Security Card and the U.S Citizen Social Security Card and he said that there is no difference except that the U.S citizens dont have the INs authorization letters on it. So there is no point to change the card until i become a U.s citizen?
Well, i still dont get it......
So ,I ;m gonna receive the same card as i already have again and gonna have 2 alike.
Someone else in this forum was trying to Change the Restricted to Unrestricted SSN., but seems like there is no such a thing as a Restricted SSN???
Would appreciate if someone who has encoutered this delema would clarify that for me.
Was the officer wrong?
Thanks.
Best wishes.
Sincerely.

Yes the officer was wrong.... I had the restriction removed from my SS card when I got my 2 year greencard just by showing my greencard and my old card...

MDyoung will come along soon and tell you what to print out and take to the SSA to get the restrictiin removed.... he is an expert with SSA.

Kezzie

At which SSA office did the moron tell you this?

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203570
RM 00203.570 Actions Required When Lawfully Admitted Alien's Status Changes

2. Alien Has An SSN

b. Alien Now a Permanent Resident

Step 1

Has the alien ever previously applied for an SSN and been issued a card?

-- If Yes, Go to Step 2.

Step 2

Does the alien's temporary status include employment authorization?

-- If Yes, Go to Step 3.

Step 3

Does the alien already have an unrestricted SSN card?

-- If the alien does not have an unrestricted SSN card, go to Step 4.

Step 4

Does the alien have an SSN card with the legend “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION” ?

If yes, get a completed application and evidence of identity and permanent resident alien status. Enter a “Y” in the PRA block. Tell the alien that a new SSN card will be issued. Stop

Hi, found this on the SSA website (there are a number of links to this same question/answer but i think this is the one most clearly worded, distinguishing who can have the "unrestricted" card) Hope this helps, i pasted the link at the bottom :-)

Question
What types of Social Security cards does SSA issue?

Answer
We issue three types of Social Security cards depending on an individual's citizen or noncitizen status and whether or not a noncitizen is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work in the United States. They include:

1. The first type of card shows the individual's name and Social Security number only. This is the card most people have and reflects the fact that the holder can work in the U.S. without restriction. We issue this card to:

U.S. citizens; or
Noncitizens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and noncitizens with DHS permission to work permanently in the United States (e.g., refugees and asylees).

2. The second type of card bears, in addition to the individual's name and Social Security number, the legend: "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT." We issue this card to lawful noncitizens who do not have DHS permission to work, but are required by law to provide a Social Security number to get general assistance benefits that they already have qualified for.

3. The third type of card bears, in addition to the individual's name and Social Security number, the legend” "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION." We issue this card to people with DHS permission to work temporarily in the United States.

Here's the link:

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cf...amp;p_topview=1

I havent reached this point yet in the process (i'm still waiting for my EAD or GC whichever comes first but i have done some research on getting that DHS wording off the SS card because my husband's credit union wouldn't add me to his accounts because of it...anyhow, i hope this helps

I would go back to the office and start screaming for the office manager and show him or her and the moron the POMS procedure. Your status still needs to be verifed, but you should be issued an unrestricted SSN card once it has been.

Hi,
Thank you guys very much for your links and clarification . I am gonna go there again with the printed out links u;ve refered me too.
I am really surprised that the officer didn;t know the procedure and he also didnt give any application for me to fill out either.

I have one more question about what;s the difference between Restricted and Unrestrcited SSN?
What does the SSN Restrcits from? Work?And why does it say with the INS Authorization of the INS for work only? Does the Restricted SSN restricts form something else maybe?...Also, Does that mean that the INS can revoke the work authorization privelegy somehow unless i get the as called the Unrestricted SSN new card without the INS letters on it?...
Thanks.
Best wishes
Sincerely.

Good morning, everybody, sorry about the blank reply, I pushed the wrong button.
Thank you for the clarifications. I was asking the same question last week and your answers are very useful. I got my greencard a couple of days ago and I just wanted to breathe a little befor I go back and deal with the burocracy, this time the SS Admin.
One of the reasons why I think it's useful to change it, let alone that by law I think we should do it anyway, is, for example, that the new card will reflect our new status. The account officer at the bank I'm using said I should bring the new one in as soon as I have it, as this will reflect my new status and therefore may influence and help decisions regarding them issuing me a loan or a credit card. Next step: establishing a credit history in this country, which is not an easy task.
Anyway, thanks to all for the answers and good luck!

Your SSN card having the legend, “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION,” only means you cannot use your SSN card as proof of work authorization. It does not otherwise affect the validity of the card or number.

When you have the 10 year I-551 card it's not that big of a deal to have a restricted SSN card, but with the 2 year card at some point during the removal of conditions you will have a restricted SSN card and your I-551 card will be expired, so you have no proof of work authorization.

However, even the 10 year I-551 card expires and needs to be renewed at some point and with the restricted SSN card you are stuck without proof of work authoriization.