We filed EAD at beginning of January. US CIS website now has Dec 27th as the date for which they are processing current EADs. We're hoping ours will be processed soon.

At that time, when they send us the next notification, will that be the point my wife can work? (She has SSN already, but it is stamped with something like, "cannot work without other permission".)

In other words is this going to be the point she can start looking for work, or is there going to be something else we have to do... like resubmit the SSN application to get a new card without the stamp mentioned above.

Sorry about being confused. I just feel like I'm getting bogged down in the process.

Dan

The notation on the card is SSA's way of telling employers that the person they are employing needs to show them the EAD card, or a Green Card. If you can prove to the employer that you are approved for EAD they may allow work, proof of aproval may be a temporary EAD stamp in passport either from POE like JFK, or from the CIS office in the case of an incorect EAD card sent, and you having to get it replaced.

SSA will only remove that notification if you have a Green-card in hand.

Yes, she can work as soon as USCIS indicate that they have approved the EAD. She can use her existing SS number, as the EAD gives her permission to work.