AOS and SSN situation during COVID19 lockdown

[PatSquared 57]

Hello VJ Community!

 

I hope you are all staying safe and well during these scary circumstances.

 

USC Petitioner here, seeking guidance on how to go about applying for my now-husband's Social Security number. My husband arrived in Texas from the UK using a K1 visa on March 16. All Social Security offices shut their doors (as a safety precaution against COVID-19) the day after, on March 17. We got married on March 21 and are now in the process of putting together our AOS/I-944/AP/EAD packets. 

 

We saw that you can choose to apply for your SSN on the EAD application, but I assume he wouldn't get the card until after he receives the EAD five or so months down the line. We were thinking of checking "No" on the application and waiting until the offices re-open so that we can apply in-person and hopefully get the card in the mail sooner. His I-94 expires on June 12, so we are really hoping that things normalize before then.

 

Any thoughts on going this route? Thankfully, not having an SSN hasn't caused major roadblocks for us yet. We were able to get him a phone plan, health insurance, and I was able to add him to my checking account, savings account, and credit cards. The biggest setback would be not being able to obtain his driver's license. He has a valid UK driver's license that he's eligible to use for 90 days, but he'll need to apply for a Texas license after that point and having an SSN is a requirment to obtain one.

 

Has anyone tried checking "Yes" on the EAD, but then also going to their local office to apply in-person after submitting the application? Would that cause issues for him down the line?

 

Thank you! Will appreciate any advice/input you can provide.

 

 

[Letspaintcookies 2,201]

Just check yes and go to the SSA office when they open again. That's not a problem at all and you'll be on the safe side either way. 

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

There is nothing you can do except waiting for this pandemic to be over. Good luck.