Some useful information from the SSA

[Steven]

So I was in the US last week and I called the SSA (1-800-772-1213 - don't even bother unless you are a very, very patient person) about the status of my SSN.

This was quite an interesting conversation, because I got my SSN back when computers were pretty crude, but yet to my amazement they had all the info about me in their system.

In the US for several years now they have had a system called: "E-Verify", which employers _may_ use to check the status of a SSN to see if the person is qualified to work in the US. Long story short, major employers check, smaller employers generally don't, although there is a Bill in Congress at the moment to make checking the E-Verify system mandatory for all employers.

What I found quite interesting about this conversation is that SSNs are automatically marked as "not valid for employment" based on the information keyed in by the person at the SSA when you apply for your SSN.

So basically, if you go in on a work permit, the person at the SSA types in the expiry date of your permit, and on that date your SSN becomes invalid in the "E-verify" system.

The problem here is that you might renew your permit, but your SSN is invalid - so if the employer checks the system, you will come up as unemployable even though you are. The impression I got from talking to them is that if you are still working for the same employer, this is unlikely to be a problem, because the employer is not going to repeatedly check the SSN validity (although they could, theoretically, depends on the employer, especially if you have a new permit).

However if you change employers, you could face a problem. I was advised that upon entry to the US on a new work permit, I should take my social security card to the nearest social security office with my immigration paperwork and have it re-activated. You cannot be issued a new social security number, as under Federal law each individual can only have one number (with some very limited statutory exceptions).

So the moral of the story here is to make sure you keep your SSN valid, and don't lose your social security card, even if you don't live in the US anymore, because you might need it in the future!

[Reba]

huh.maybe one of these days when I have nothing better to do for 6 or so hours, I'll go down there and get them to remove the conditions on my SSN. It currently says "valid only with work permit" or somesuch.I got my 10 yr green card last year though, and could have that taken off. I just don't have a day off work to do it. bleah.

[Steven]

Well my SSN was issued before they became truly paranoid, back then the only difference was that if you were there as a tourist they put "not valid for employment" on it. But my SSN card is identical to everyone else's.

I'm not sure it's that big of a deal unless your employer is really into this E-verify system which is voluntary.

My brother-in-law is in the same situation as you, his opinion was he couldn't be bothered because no-one has bothered to check his card since he got his current job.

[Reba]

Doesn't really matter anyway AFAIK, they have to take a copy of your SSN card as well as your green card or EAD anyhow to go with the form that you have to fill out that says you're eligible to work in the US. So if your EAD or green card is valid, your SSN card is valid. Or so I've been told.

[Steven]

It is valid, but if you haven't shown all that paperwork to the SSA it may not be marked as valid, because they've only seen your initial application. So if your employer checks your social security number against the E-verify system it will come back not valid. And that could cause you a problem.

[Reba]

Well, I'm not planning on changing jobs again any time soon, and my current employer has already checked all that stuff, so I'm good. Unless they close up shop (not unheard of in the furniture industry in western North Carolina these days).

[Steven]

Just thought I'd bump this, I was reading an article in the paper about how several States (e.g. Arizona) have enacted laws requiring employers to use the E-verify system, otherwise they commit a criminal offence.

[Reba]

Yep, it is up to every employer to ensure that anyone they hire is legally allowed to work in the US. So they all have to check documents before they hire someone. If your documents check out, then you're good. If not, go hang out at Home Depot