Hi,

Does anyone know if my two children need social security numbers for us to claim for them as independents on my husband's tax form? They are 14 and 11 by the way.

Thank for any help

They will need either a ss# (if they are entitled to one) or otherwise an ITIN (individual tax identification number).

We were told that you have to apply for the ITIN when you file your taxes. Last year we had an accountant do our taxes and she sorted out the ITINs.

When we became entitled to an SS# we took all the neccessary documents to our local SS office and the numbers arrived in the post within 10 days.

Thanks for replying so promptly. When do the kids become eligible for a social security number?

Do you have green cards or are you citizens?
Are you here on visas?

That will determine your eligibility.

We're here on visas - kids are on L2s. According to the lady from the Social Security the children can only apply for SSNs when they have authority to work from Homeland Security but I don't really understand when they get this - is it when they get their Green Cards?

They would have to apply for EADs (authorisation to work) but I don't know what the deal is with how old they have to be to do that with labor laws etc.

My youngest is 12 and she had an EAD. I don't know if there is a minimum age.

Our immigration lawyers did everything so I can only give you the idiot version.

Our EAD's were applied for as part of the green card process but I think if you are on an L type visa you are eligible for work authorisation before you even begin the GC stuff.
We weren't on L visas so I really don't know.

kids aren't allowed to get an EAD, so they can't work...so no ssn

Spouse is, kids aren't.

Kids can file for EAD concurrently with AOS application.

Probably a long way off...

aye, with an AOS, but not just on having an L2, like a spouse could, I probably should have been a bit clearer

Whats an AOS application?

Adjustment of Status....from the L1/2 to getting the actual greencard.

So if we're about to apply for our Green Card it is O.K. for me concurrently to apply for EADs for the children - once you have got one of these EADs how long does it last - especially the younger child isn't anywhere near needing to work