AOS post-marriage questions

[Camelot13 63]

Hi everyone, I got married this weekend and am in the process of putting together my AOS package to file but I have two questions. Has anyone ever had problems getting on their new spouse's health insurance? I am the USC and picked up paperwork from my HR department today, but it asks for social security number which he doesn't have yet. I think I've read accounts on here that people use health insurance as evidence of co-mingled finances and bonafide relationship. Does it depend on your company/health insurance?

And another question about the packet, is it required (or strongly advised) to include photos of your relationship in the mailed in package or can I bring them to the interview?

Thanks!

Edited May 13, 2014 by Camelot13

[aussie_jason 195]

File the AOS first and then bring the evidence of a bona fide marriage to the interview.

You should be able to add your spouse to your health insurance without him having a SSN but that may involve having to contact them directly instead of just the standard form, he does need to be "legally present" though so is his I-94 still current? If not you would need to wait until at least you get the NOA-1 for the I-485.

[the_waiting_game 5]

My husband was able to add me to his health insurance, utility and bank accounts prior to the AOS process. I always left the SSN blank and if asked I tell them I dont have one. It was never a problem. He was always the primary account holder and I was secondary or authorized user.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

How did he enter the US?

[Camelot13 63]

Sorry for my slow reply. He entered on VWP and his I-94 is still valid until June 8. We are waiting for the marriage certificate to be processed right now and will hopefully file the AOS packet at the start of June so that he won't go out of status.

Here's the response I got from my HR department.

"Will your husband receive a Tax ID Number until he is issued a SSN? If so, please provide that number. If not, I will need to contact the benefits company to assist with his enrollment. I will need to know the date he has applied for his SSN."

[Camelot13 63]

Actually, I'm not sure if June 8 is the correct date for the I-94. I'll need to check on that. That was the date his VWP 90 days ends.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Okay, he is not eligible for a SSN yet, but the insurance company should be able to add him without it.

Using the VWP to immigrate is not how it is supposed to work, so documents and stuff will be harder to come by for a while.

[Camelot13 63]

Thank you! He has travel insurance coverage until June 8. At what point would he be able to apply for a SSN?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

He will need his EAD to get a SSN.

It will be approved around 90 days after you file for AOS.

[ValerieA 350]

Do they have a joint bank account? It is not a requirement that he is on her health insurance, it's just one more (good) piece of evidence. I wouldn't get overly hung up on it, especially if it might delay their filing.

[Camelot13 63]

We do have a joint bank account, so that should be useful. I think/hope by the time we have our interview, we'll have received his SSN and he'll be added on to my health insurance so that we'll be able to have more evidence to bring along with us. My main concern is that if he wasn't allowed to be added to my health insurance without a SSN or Tax ID Number (as the forms I was given indicate) then it would be a several months without him having health insurance coverage, which wouldn't be ideal if he gets sick. But it sounds like they should be able to add him without the SSN. I'm in the process of trying to set this up with my HR department so I'll report back what happens.

Edited May 14, 2014 by Camelot13

[ValerieA 350]

Sorry about the "her" thing, I got it in my head that this was another thread where a friend was helping the couple out and posting on here. Should have been "your".

[Camelot13 63]

No problem, Valerie! I didn't even notice. Thank you for your advice.

[Camelot13 63]

I am having a very hard time getting him signed up on the health insurance. My HR department rep is unhelpful and is insistent that I can only do it if I supply them with his SSN or a Tax ID Number, which means at least 2 months without insurance if we have to wait for that. That makes me uncomfortable. For those who've had success, what did you tell your insurance company provider? Also, if for some reason they still won't let me add him, is there some way to get alternative healthcare coverage for him for the interim? Is it possible to sign up for Obamacare or is that only possible when you have EAD or SSN?

Edited May 19, 2014 by Camelot13

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

If you have other evidences, you don't have to have the health insurance. We were on separate insurances (not joint) at the time as one of us was in school with school's health insurance coverage, and we never submitted anything regarding health insurance and got approved on the spot and literally the whole AOS process took two months from mailing till getting the actual PR card in the mail.

Hi everyone, I got married this weekend and am in the process of putting together my AOS package to file but I have two questions. Has anyone ever had problems getting on their new spouse's health insurance? I am the USC and picked up paperwork from my HR department today, but it asks for social security number which he doesn't have yet. I think I've read accounts on here that people use health insurance as evidence of co-mingled finances and bonafide relationship. Does it depend on your company/health insurance?

And another question about the packet, is it required (or strongly advised) to include photos of your relationship in the mailed in package or can I bring them to the interview?

Thanks!