Does my dad need a social security number?

[red74]

I'm wondering whether I should apply for a social security number for my dad when I prepare his Green Card application. He's 84 and independently wealthy. He will not work again. But after 5 years he may want to apply for Medicare. He will in the meantime need to find some private health insurance if any are available to him. He will want to get a credit card and he might also want to buy a car. He already has a bank account. With all that in mind, does he need to get a social security number? Is it advisable?

Thanks.

[inadmissible]

Yes, he will find an assigned SSN useful

[newacct]

I'm wondering whether I should apply for a social security number for my dad when I prepare his Green Card application. He's 84 and independently wealthy. He will not work again. But after 5 years he may want to apply for Medicare. He will in the meantime need to find some private health insurance if any are available to him. He will want to get a credit card and he might also want to buy a car. He already has a bank account. With all that in mind, does he need to get a social security number? Is it advisable?

Thanks.

What do you mean apply for an SSN "when you prepare his Green Card application"? Those are two separate things. Do you mean he is preparing to do Adjustment of Status in the US? or that he's preparing to go through Consular Processing for an immigrant visa?

He needs to be in a status that allows work to be eligible to apply for an SSN. For example, if he has an EAD, or if he is already a permanent resident, then he qualifies to apply for an SSN. If he does Adjustment of Status in the US, he can apply for an EAD at the same time for free. When he gets his EAD, he can apply for an SSN (or he can wait until he gets his green card and apply for an SSN). If he does Consular Processing abroad, he will become a permanent resident when he enters the US with his immigrant visa; at that point he will be eligible to apply for an SSN; I believe there is an option when applying for an immigrant visa for them to apply for an SSN for him automatically once he enters; if that doesn't work, he can apply for one himself after he enters.

He doesn't need an SSN to get health insurance.

[red74]

He'll be doing Adjustment of Status and can apply for one at the same time. So I'm trying to find out if it is worthwhile in his scenario to have one.

[newacct]

He'll be doing Adjustment of Status and can apply for one at the same time. So I'm trying to find out if it is worthwhile in his scenario to have one.

Not sure what you meant by "one", but if you mean apply for SSN, he can't apply for SSN until he gets an EAD or gets permanent residency (AOS is approved).

[red74]

He can apply for one, i.e. he can apply for a social security number. I used "one" as a pronoun to avoid unnecessarily repeating "social security number". It is my understanding that during the AOS process, when he gets his EAD, he can apply for a social security number. But this thread is kind of missing the point. I am not asking how he gets one. I am asking whether in his specific situation people here think that it is a worthwhile thing to get or unnecessary.

[S_R_E]

He can apply for one, i.e. he can apply for a social security number. I used "one" as a pronoun to avoid unnecessarily repeating "social security number". It is my understanding that during the AOS process, when he gets his EAD, he can apply for a social security number. But this thread is kind of missing the point. I am not asking how he gets one. I am asking whether in his specific situation people here think that it is a worthwhile thing to get or unnecessary.

It is free and simple enough to obtain once you have the EAD or Green Card. I think you will find it is used for identification purposes in many case (last 4 of SSN for example) that it would be a lot simpler just to have one

[Spiffer]

Your SSN is used for so many things as a form of identity, I would say go for it. Get one. I don't understand why you're questioning it.

[red74]

Your SSN is used for so many things as a form of identity, I would say go for it. Get one. I don't understand why you're questioning it.

Only because I recently read an article saying older people who aren't going to work might not need them.

[newacct]

As someone living in the US, he will definitely need an SSN for many things. The only question is whether to apply for it when he gets his EAD or wait until he gets his green card. If he gets an SS card when he gets his EAD, it will have a restriction text on it "valid for employment only with DHS authorization", and he can get a new card if he wants after he gets his green card. Or he can just wait until he gets his green card and get an unrestricted SS card directly. Whether or not his SS card has the restriction text on it isn't a big deal -- even if he doesn't get it updated, he can always just use his green card or US passport to show employment authorization if he starts work.

[red74]

Thanks