Help! EAD received but still awaiting SSN.
u/Maractassr/USCIS8 sept 2026
I "checked the box", never got the SSN/Card with my EAD. Made the appointment, within 13 days I had the card in the mail.
Your SSN card should be issued automatically only if you requested it in the SSA section of the Form I-765 that produced your EAD; otherwise, you need to apply with SSA.
“I received my EAD last week for my marriage-based green card application. Will my SSN be mailed to me automatically, or do I need to apply for it at the SSA?”
Resumen
You can settle this by looking at your filed Form I-765 copy. Because your EAD arrived only last week, an automatic card is not yet beyond SSA’s 14-day checkpoint.
Your route depends on what you selected in the SSA section of the Form I-765 that produced your EAD.
You requested an SSN on Form I-765wait 14 days
USCIS transmits the request after approving the I-765, and SSA’s system automatically assigns an original SSN or issues a replacement card. Wait until 14 days have passed since you received your [SSA POMS RM 10205.700(A), (C)].
You did not request it on Form I-765apply now
Apply directly with SSA now using free Form SS-5. Take the signed form, your current unexpired EAD, and your foreign passport to an SSA office; make an appointment before visiting [Form SS-5, pages 1–3; SSA Contact by Phone].
You cannot confirm what you selectedverify first
Wait through the 14-day checkpoint, then call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether an SSN or pending EBE application exists under your A-number. SSA searches for an existing or pending record before starting a new application [SSA POMS RM 10205.700(C)–(E)].
A request only on a still-pending Form I-485 will normally wait for I-485 approval because USCIS transmits the SSN data after approving the application containing that request [SSA POMS RM 10205.700(A)].
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Watch out for
An I-485-only request is not triggered by the EADIf you requested an SSN only on a still-pending Form I-485, that request is not transmitted merely because USCIS approved your Form I-765. SSA’s rule says USCIS transmits the data after approving the application containing the request, so apply directly with SSA if you need an SSN before I-485 approval [SSA POMS RM 10205.700(A)].
Count from EAD deliverySSA’s checkpoint is 14 days after you received the DHS document—here, your —not 14 days after the approval notice. Because yours arrived last week, an automatic card is not yet beyond that checkpoint [SSA POMS RM 10205.700(C)].
Avoid creating a duplicate requestIf you requested an SSN but the card does not arrive after 14 days, call SSA before filing Form SS-5. SSA’s procedure searches for an assigned or pending record first and starts a new application only if no pending application is found [SSA POMS RM 10205.700(C)–(E)].
Próximos pasos
These steps determine whether an automatic request exists and prevent an unnecessary duplicate application.
First
Review your filed Form I-765
Find the SSA section and determine whether you requested an original or replacement Social Security card. For this EAD approval, the controlling answer is on the I-765; an SSN request only on a still-pending I-485 waits for that application’s approval [SSA POMS RM 10205.700(A)].
Requisitos
Your copy of the filed Form I-765
If you requested an SSN on Form I-765
Give the automatic request 14 days
Wait until 14 days have passed from the date you received the EAD. If the card is still missing, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday, and ask SSA to search for the assigned SSN or pending EBE record before starting Form SS-5 [SSA POMS RM 10205.700(C)–(E); SSA Contact by Phone].
Requisitos
Your current EAD (Form I-766)
The date you received the EAD
Your A-number for any SSA follow-up
If you did not request an SSN on Form I-765
Apply with SSA using Form SS-5
Download Form SS-5 at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf. The application fee is $0. Call 1-800-772-1213 to arrange an office appointment, or locate the office serving you at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp, and take the signed form and listed documents to that office [Form SS-5, pages 1–3; SSA Contact by Phone].
Requisitos
Completed and signed Form SS-5
Current unexpired EAD (Form I-766)
Foreign passport with biographical information or photograph
Otras personas que pasaron por esto
You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.
Fuentes legales
The answer comes from SSA’s Enumeration-Beyond-Entry policy, Form SS-5 instructions, SSA contact guidance, and USCIS’s Form I-765 page.
SSA POMS RM 10205.700(A)
An SSN request made through a USCIS application is transmitted after that application is approved and is then processed automatically by SSA.
SSA POMS RM 10205.700(A)
A. Enumeration Beyond Entry
The applicant applies for an EAD via Form I-765 or applies for Permanent Resident Status via Form I-485 or applies for naturalization via Form N-400. As part of these applications, the applicant has the option to apply for an SSN card by completing the SSA section that contains enumeration-specific questions. Once USCIS approves the application, USCIS electronically transmit the enumeration data to SSA via the EBE interface. After SSA receives the enumeration data via the EBE interface, the enumeration system automatically assigns an original SSN or issues a replacement SSN card, as appropriate.
SSA POMS RM 10205.700(C)
The automatic-delivery follow-up point is 14 days after receiving the DHS document.
SSA POMS RM 10205.700(C)
C. EBE applicant did not receive an SSN Card
Applicants should receive an SSN card after 14 days of receiving the DHS document.
SSA POMS RM 10205.700(C)–(E)
SSA searches for an assigned or pending SSN record before opening a new application.
SSA POMS RM 10205.700(C)–(E)
C–E
If the applicant does not provide an SSN, determine if an SSN has already been assigned to the applicant by requesting an ALPHIDENT Query from the I-Main Intranet Menu, using the alien registration number (ARN) shown on the EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551),or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550). If you do not find a pending application, start a new application and have the applicant submit all necessary evidence.
Form SS-5 (12-2024)
A manual SSN application is free, and a noncitizen must present current immigration and identity evidence.
Form SS-5 (12-2024)
pages 1–2
Applying for a Social Security Card is free! If you are not a U.S. citizen, we must see your current U.S. immigration document(s) and your foreign passport with biographical information or photograph. You must provide a current unexpired document issued to you by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing your immigration status, such as Form I-551, I-94, or I-766.
Form SS-5 (12-2024)
Form SS-5 may be submitted with the supporting documents to an SSA office, and the form supplies the official office locator.
Form SS-5 (12-2024)
page 3, How to Submit This Application
In most cases, you can take or mail this signed application with your documents to any Social Security office. Go to https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp to find the Social Security office or Social Security Card Center that serves your area.
SSA Contact by Phone
This is SSA’s official contact number and current representative hours.
SSA Contact by Phone
If you cannot use our online services, we can help you by phone when you call your local Social Security office or our toll-free National 800 Number. You can find the phone number for your local office by using our [Office Locator](https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp) . You can call us at **1-800-772-1213** between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
USCIS Form I-765 page
USCIS explains why an employee’s SSN is used for payroll reporting.
USCIS Form I-765 page
Social Security Number and Card
Your SSN allows employers to report your earnings to the U.S. government.
These are the official SSA and USCIS rules as published on the cited dates; rules can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
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