Your husband’s current EAD can still prove work authorization while the SSN is delayed; now use SAVE CaseCheck and have SSA act on whether DHS is still reviewing the case or has already returned its response.
“My husband received his EAD, but when we went to the SSA office for his Social Security card, they said there was a hold-up on DHS's side. It's been a month now. What could be causing this delay, and how can we get things moving?”
Summary
SSA is required to verify his immigration document with DHS before assigning the SSN. A month is longer than SAVE’s current approximate seven-federal-workday estimate for additional review, so it is reasonable to follow up now, although complex cases can take longer.
The next action depends on the status of the SSA verification request in .
This means DHS is still processing the verification. generally requires manual review; USCIS estimated about seven federal workdays as of August 2026 but says complex cases vary, so a one-month wait warrants an SSA follow-up now (USCIS SAVE Verification Response Time, updated 2026-08-12).
DHS has responded, but SSA may not have applied the answer to the application. SSA policy says the response does not automatically enter and the field office must retrieve it and update the pending SSN application (SSA POMS RM 10213.095, Step 6).
If SSA entered critical information incorrectly, its policy directs staff to correct the data and submit another Initial Verification request. If the typo is in a USCIS record or document, use USCIS’s typographic-error request at https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/ (SSA POMS RM 10213.095, Step 4; USCIS SAVE Records Fast Facts).
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Watch out for
Next steps
These steps identify where the verification is stuck and give SSA the information needed to finish the application.
Today
Check the SAVE case now
Open https://www.uscis.gov/save/benefit-and-license-applicants/save-casecheck, select the identification type SSA used, and enter his date of birth plus that identifier. Save the result showing either “pending with SAVE” or “returned to the agency.” If no case appears, obtain the SAVE verification case number from SSA.
Requirements
After CaseCheck
Call SSA with the exact result
Call the SSA office that accepted the application or 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. local time. Ask the representative to confirm whether the SAVE request is still under review; if CaseCheck says returned, ask the office to retrieve the Additional or Third Level response from its SSNAP list and update the pending SSN application under SSA POMS RM 10213.095.
Requirements
If SSA finds a mismatch
Correct only the record that is wrong
Compare SSA’s SAVE entries with the newest EAD and I-797. If SSA entered a value incorrectly, ask the representative to correct the critical data and submit another Initial Verification request; if the USCIS document or record itself has a typographic error, submit USCIS’s typographic-error request at https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/.
Requirements
While waiting
Use the EAD while the SSN is pending
He does not have to wait for the SSN before beginning employment authorized by his current EAD. SSA Publication 05-10107 states that immigration documents can prove work authorization while the SSN is pending.
Requirements
Legal sources
This answer relies on the Social Security Administration’s POMS and publications and USCIS’s official SAVE guidance.
SSA POMS RM 10210.205
SSA must verify an applicant’s DHS-issued document before completing the SSN process.
Evidence verification
When an applicant submits an acceptable DHS document, after review, we confirm the authenticity of the information on the evidence with DHS.
USCIS SAVE Verification Response Time
SAVE’s current estimate is about seven federal workdays for additional verification, but complex cases can take longer.
Current Response Time
Additional Verification Response Time: Approximately 7 federal workdays as of August 2026. Additional verification occurs when SAVE cannot provide a response at initial verification or the agency requests additional verification. Additional verification takes more time because a manual review is generally required. Response times vary depending upon the complexity of the case.
USCIS SAVE Verification Response Time
Incorrect or outdated identifying information can push a case into manual review.
Tips for Reducing Response Times
Avoid data entry errors: Ensure that the applicant’s name, date of birth, and enumerators are entered exactly as provided by the applicant or as they appear on the applicant’s documentation. Data entry errors often require additional manual verification to resolve.
USCIS SAVE CaseCheck
CaseCheck reveals whether DHS still has the request or has returned an answer to SSA.
CaseCheck Response
If CaseCheck locates your verification case based on the information you provided, it will return one of the following responses: ✔ The verification request is pending with SAVE; OR ✔ A SAVE response was returned to the agency. Contact the agency about the status of your benefit application.
SSA POMS RM 10213.095
SSA staff must retrieve and apply a returned SAVE response; it does not enter the application automatically.
Step 6 — Retrieve the AV response
The AV response is electronic but does not automatically propagate into SSNAP. Each FO must request the “SAVE- All Receipted Electronic Additional and Third Level verification responses” list within SSNAP. Once an AV response appears on the list, you must update the SSN application to pull in the SAVE AV response.
SSA POMS RM 10213.095
If SSA entered critical information incorrectly, staff must correct it and resubmit verification.
Step 4 — Determine the next action
If the status did not verify and you need to correct critical data, correct the critical data, go back to Step 2 , and submit another IV request.
USCIS SAVE Records Fast Facts
USCIS, rather than SAVE, handles corrections to USCIS records and documents.
Record corrections
You must contact the agency that issued your document or maintains the record. To correct typographic errors in your USCIS record or document, visit egov.uscis.gov/e-request/.
SSA Enumeration Beyond Entry guidance
An applicant who requested an SSN on Form I-765 normally does not need a separate SSA application and may follow up after 14 days.
Applying through Form I-765
If you apply for an SSN card using Form I-765, you do not have to contact a Social Security office to apply for an SSN card. You should receive your SSN card no later than 14 days after receiving your EAD. You can contact us if you do not receive an SSN card 14 days after receiving your EAD, "Green Card", or Certificate of Naturalization.
SSA Publication 05-10107
A worker may begin authorized employment while the SSN application is pending.
We don’t require you to have an SSN before you start working. While you wait for your SSN, your immigration documents can prove your authorization to work in the United States.
SSA Contact Social Security By Phone
This is SSA’s official national contact number and calling schedule.
You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
These are the official SSA and USCIS rules and procedures as published on the cited dates; rules and processing times can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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