Does the SSN card have any restrictions printed on it (e.g. "Not valid for employment" or "Valid for work only with...")? If not, you can work. If it does, you can apply for EAD:

http://www.uscis.gov/i-765

Yes you need work auth for sure, took me 6 months to a year already living here(married here) before I got mine.

The lawyers have sent me form for a I765 so I will just get that sorted.

6 months? Joyous. My daughter isn't happy to learn she cannot get permission to work here once she's old enough for a Saturday job. Has anybody found a way round that for their kids?

It does say valid for work but lawyers not having any of it haha

Ah ok thanks everyone, SS office gave incorrect info by the sounds of it. Hope I don't need that for voluntary work.

L2's are authorized to work without EAD. Employers may ask for EAD but it is not necessary. Of course, they are more likely to ask for EAD if there is an employment restriction printed on the SSN card.

https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211420

For COAs displaying a double asterisk (**) (non-immigrant E-1, E-2, and L-2 classifications), the spouse is also authorized to work without specific DHS authorization. When the E-1, E-2, or L-2 spouse applies for an SSN card and does not submit an EAD as evidence of employment authorization, he or she must submit, in addition to evidence of lawful alien status, evidence of a marital relationship to the principal E-1, E-2, or L-1 alien. The evidence of marital relationship between the applicant and the principal E-1, E-2, or L-1 alien is a marriage document. The marriage document must indicate the marriage occurred, either: 1) prior to admission to the U.S. as an E-1, E-2, or L-2 non-immigrant; or, 2) prior to extension or change of status to an E-1, E-2 or L-2 non-immigrant.
NOTE: Although aliens listed under a COA in this section are employment authorized without specific DHS authorization, employers may still ask for an EAD before the alien can start working.

I think 6 weeks is about the right time to start feeling this way. I just checked and my first rant was just at the 6 week mark! It seems to be the point where it has all stopped being a holiday and GETS REAL!

I have said it before, in the beginning everything is weird and overcomplicated and just not how it is done back in Blighty. You start questioning how it can all be so difficult when we speak the same language. Just wait until you have your first dentist appointment The nice thing is you can always come on here and ask for advice.

Best piece of advice I can give is keep your sense of humour, instead of being mad about something, go out for dinner and laugh - order 3 sodas and everyone drink the same one over and over just to see how many free refills you can get! Don't keep your frustrations bottled up, even if you think hubby has a lot on his plate talk about it. I would try not to complain then explode every few weeks and then let him have it including that one time his mother said someone with my legs shouldn't wear shorts (yes it was over 20 years ago but worth bringing up again )

I did not go back to work (don't tell hubby I am not sure if he has noticed) but have always been quite happy pleasing myself. I bake, I read, I knit and crochet - I run The Dude back and forth from school. OTH I have a friend who moved over and was going stir crazy until she got a job, she has a pt job now and just moved into her new house, out of her rented apartment and is much happier.

We were lucky my son quite enjoyed school from the beginning but it did take a while to make good friends (who he would see outside school), I am sure the kids will come round, maybe look into school groups where your daughter could meet local kids with similar interests?

My hubby's HR is in Cary, could you pop round and ask them to pay his expenses a bit bloody quicker.

P.S. I was L2 and was required to get an EAD to work. I don't know for sure about voluntary work.

Lol that made me laugh about the dentist, I registered with a Doctor earlier in the week which was always going to be fun due to quite a medical history. He informed me he can't prescribe the norepinephrine patch I use which caused a panic as I only have 1 left and there is major withdrawl associated with it. Thankfully I've been referred to a pain clinic, let's just hope it happens next week otherwise life is about to get interesting .

I just double checked as card and it says I can work with DHS authorisation, so it's a bit clearer to me now.

It is all strange and difficult, lots of catch 22 and no credit issues happening but life is slowing down a bit at last.

Had some great news today that our shipping container is in the U.S now pending customs clearance so the days of living out of a suitcase and eating perched on a garden chair may soon be over yay.

Aloha from Hawaii:

I was a trailing wife too many years ago. Culture shock was rife! No one spoke my kind of English. I got used to it, but lots of frustration on the way. Take care and hang in there!

Takes 90 days to get the EAD. It's good for a year and needs renewing, though some people are lucky and get it for 2 years.

Kids aren't eligible for one though and that can be tough when their friends have weekend jobs or are in college.

Not sure if hearing my situation will help or not but I moved to the US alone 3 years ago. Not made a single what I'd call close friend in that time. Only get on with people at work in a colleague capacity. Rarely speak to family back in the UK.

You have your partner/family so that's something.

Having said that, I love it here. Loads of new places to explore, great weather (where I am at least) and the way I look at it, I do what I want and if I meet people or not, so be it.

A problem has occurred with regards to my daughter, she wants to volunteer in the summer at her stables, I'm not sure this is allowed?

After 9 years I'm starting to get the hang of it

Yes you have
That changed today
You spoke to us
And look at the response you've received in return
Not to be Pollyanna - but - I took a look at your profile - and your other posts here.
It's obvious you're determined, resourceful, outgoing and have a sense of humour.
And with your youngest being set up with a stables and joining a competing team - she too, will find some mates
You're both going to be fine.

That's not to say I don't empathize with how you've been feeling.
Indeed, I do - we all do - that's why we've taken the time to talk to you