Eskimo

Heres us. We have been in LA 19 months. L1 transfer with big US corporation, wife and two kids (3 and 14). Company want me here a while (probably until I at least get my directorship - 3-5 years) and have filed a GC application for us which should be approved end of next month.
The wife and eldest have just received their EAD so the question is should they apply for Social Security Numbers? I'm not sure why this is important. The wife has no intention of working and the eldest is only 14. Is there any benefit ? do we need this for the GC interview? I have OK credit now (700+ after following the excellent advice on this site - but I dont really need it) but its just under my Social Security Number - does that matter ?

Any thoughts ?

Partystar

I would get them anyway. You need them for silly little things like getting a library card, so I would. It just makes things easier in the long run.

snowbunny

You can sometimes get around the requirement for things like a library card.

But if eldest is going to go to uni here, or community college, then she'll need an SSN. If she works at 16, she'll definitely need one.

Do you file US income taxes? The IRS requires an SSN for all dependents regardless of age or working status and if you don't have one, they ask why not.

Also, if your wife or eldest want to establish any credit history in the US then they'll need one.

fatbrit

Best to get the socials I would think. Remember reading the web site sometime ago of some crazy native-born activist who had pursued a loan through a bank without giving them a social security number. He got it eventually, but the road was certainly hard. Assuming you just want an easy life, it's sometimes easier to go with the flow. Having said that, I'm fussy who I give mine to. When the cheeky HOA recently asked for it, I just told 'em to eff off.

You'll also need the SSNs if you want to start investments for anybody in the family. The eldest's actually getting past the stage where you should have done some college finance planning for her -- but better late than never!

Wife should definitely get on the credit ladder. You can actually have a score without a SSN, but underwriters will not consider it kosher and you'll meet brick walls all the time.

AlanR

Most driving licenses (awful spelling!) require a SSN

paul_TX

Hey Eskimo, I have a dumb question....
Can the wife and sproggs get an EAD and SSN# because you have started the Green Card app? I always understood that L2 holders cannot have SSN# and only the spouse can get EAD???

Sorry to be ignorant, but we'll be starting the whole GC thing in a couple of months so would be interested to know.

AlanR

Certainly L1 spouses can't get a SSN but they can get a letter of refusal from the SS that can allow (application for) driving licenses and the like. Seems the answer to the original question is "Yes, get a SSN". It'll be needed or will oil the wheels in many areas from getting a cell phone (credit check) to a driving license. Look at the problems some people have had that are legally in the country trying to get a driving license.

paul_TX

Yep, wifey got a DL here in TX by signing an affidavit. Was just wondering if she can apply for SSN# when we start the GC app?

Eskimo

Not true Alan you don't need a SS# to get a DL nor do you need a refusal letter - they just tell you that at the DMV my wife has a cell phone, DL etc with no SS# hence my original question -

fatbrit

Did they need a deposit for the cell phone? Is it a contract one or a PAYG?

Eskimo

My company applied for EAD for the 14 year old and the wife at the start of the GC process after we'd been here about 1 year - they only took about a month to arrive. The rules changed a few years back and you can apply for EAD as an L2 now on arrival I think, either way they have the EAD cards so assume its OK

Eskimo

No deposit its contract (Family share plan) with Verizon (our land-line provider) we have three of em got them after 6 months

fatbrit

So you got it on your credit. If she had to go and get a contract on hers alone, she'd be stck with a deposit or PAYG.

Eskimo

No true Amy - we file taxes here and use TTN numbers for the wife and kids no problem

TN-Dave

I'd get the numbers anyway - you'll all need them at some point and once you have them, you don;t have to worry in case they are needed one day ! ......

There are still a lot of places that don't will only work with you if you give them your SSN. You can then all be another faceless number in the system like the rest of us.