Under the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) agreement between the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), USCIS provides SSA with information necessary to enumerate certain aliens who live in the United States who request a Social Security Number (SSN) or a replacement card, if USCIS has approved any of the following:

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  a Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization or,

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  a Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status or,

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  a Form N-400 Application for Naturalization.

  NOTE: 

  The N-400 will only process replacement cards.

EBE is an option for those who

• •

  applied for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766) and submitted Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization)

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  applied for Permanent Resident Status (Green Card, Form I-551) and submitted Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status); or,

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  applied for a Certificate of Naturalization (form N-550) and submitted Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).

  The EBE process eliminates the need to visit the field office (FO) or Social Security Card Center (SSCC) to apply for an SSN card when the applicant requests enumeration on these forms.

EBE applicants receive an original or replacement SSN card through the following process:

1. 1. 

   The applicant applies for an EAD via Form I-765 or applies for Permanent Resident Status via Form I-485 or applies for naturalization via Form N-400. NOTE: The N-400 will only process replacement cards As part of these applications, the applicant has the option to apply for an SSN card by completing the SSA section that contains enumeration-specific questions.

   NOTE: EAD applicants who request an SSN via EBE do not need to also apply for a non-work SSN while awaiting EAD approval. When an applicant submits Form I-765, USCIS provides the applicant with a receipt indicating if the applicant requested an SSN. If the EAD applicant requested an SSN, this receipt serves as verification of the applicant’s SSN request, and the applicant can use this receipt when visiting benefit granting agencies. SSA technicians should inform applicants who have applied for an SSN via EBE that because the individual has a pending application for an EAD from USCIS and a work-authorized SSN that will be adjudicated, the individual may use the receipt when applying for other public benefits.

2. 2. 

   Once USCIS approves the application, USCIS electronically transmit the enumeration data to SSA via the EBE interface.

3. 3. 

   After SSA receives the enumeration data via the EBE interface, the enumeration system automatically assigns an original SSN or issues a replacement SSN card, as appropriate.

   NOTE: Currently, Social Security's record systems are unable to include a non-binary or unspecified gender designation. The agency is exploring possible policy and systems updates to support an "X" gender designation for the SSN card application process.

   a. SSN cards issued EAD applicants should have the legend “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION.”

   b. SSN cards issued to Permanent Resident Status applicants and naturalized applicants will not have a legend.

4. 4. 

   SSA mails the card to the mailing address provided by the applicant on the USCIS application.

SSA receives EBE enumeration data after USCIS approves the Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), or Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). Applicants should receive an SSN card after 14 days of receiving the DHS document. If an applicant reports not receiving an SSN card after 14 days of receiving the DHS document technicians should:

1. 1. 

   Establish the applicant’s identity (for in-person inquiries, establish the applicant’s identity using the documents listed in RM 10210.405 and RM 10210.420); for inquiries via telephone, ask for name, date of birth, place of birth, parent's names, mother's maiden name, and current address. Primary evidence of identity for an applicant who requests an SSN as part of the EBE process is an EAD (Form I-766) , Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551).

   NOTE: If an applicant contacts SSA via telephone and you cannot establish the applicant’s identity by asking for name, date of birth, place of birth, parent's names, mother's maiden name and address, refer the applicant to the local FO or SSCC and advise the applicant of the proof of identification documents needed to establish identity. See RM 10210.405 and RM 10210.420.

2. 2. 

   If the applicant also provides an SSN, confirm the SSN by reviewing the NUMIDENT query. Review information in this section on comparing the NUMIDENT record to the applicant’s information.

   If the applicant does not provide an SSN, determine if an SSN has already been assigned to the applicant by requesting an ALPHIDENT Query from the I-Main Intranet Menu, using the alien registration number (ARN) shown on the EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551),or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550). See MS 02901.002.

   If this does not result in an SSN match, search the ALPHIDENT Query using the applicant’s name and date of birth (DOB).

   1. a. 

      If the applicant provides an SSN or the ALPHIDENT Query locates possible SSNs for the applicant, query the NUMIDENT record for each SSN. Using the NUMIDENT record, compare the applicant's name, DOB, ARN, place of birth and parents' names (as provided by the applicant or as shown on the applicant's documents), to determine if the SSN(s) belong to the applicant.

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        If you find a NUMIDENT record that you determine belongs to the applicant, follow the instructions in RM 10205.700D, in this section.

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        If you locate multiple SSNs that belong to the applicant and the SSNs are not cross-referred on the NUMIDENT records, see RM 10220.400.

      NOTE: The information on the NUMIDENT may be slightly different from the information on the identity documents. For example, there may be a minor difference in the spelling of a name or UNKNOWN is shown for place of birth or parents' names. If you locate a NUMIDENT showing an ARN, and in addition to the other identifying information that closely matches the applicant’s EAD (Form I-766), Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550), consider this a strong indication of a match. Also, be aware that some applicants may have requested a name change when applying for Naturalization. Follow proper NUMIDENT query procedures in this section.

   2. b. 

      If an SSN cannot be located or you are unable to confirm that an SSN belongs to the applicant, follow the instructions in RM 10205.700E in this section.

When an SSN is located for an EBE applicant, take the following actions:

1. 1. 

   Establish the applicant’s identity and access the NUMIDENT query, see RM 10205.700C.2.a.

2. 2. 

   If the cycle date (CYD) on the NUMIDENT query shows the application was processed less than 7 business days prior to the current date, confirm the applicant’s mailing address and if correct, and inform the applicant that the card should arrive in the mail shortly.

3. 3. 

   If the applicant’s address has changed or the CYD on the NUMIDENT query shows the application was processed more than 7 business days prior to the current date, take an application for a replacement SSN card and obtain all required supporting evidence.

   NOTE: The SSNAP Special FO Processing "non-receipt" option is not available for SSN cards issued through EBE, see RM 10215.040B.

4. 4. 

   If the NUMIDENT query does not indicate an EBE application was processed, take the following actions to locate a possible pending record in SSNAP:

   • •

     Attempt to retrieve the pending EBE application in SSNAP using the SSN. If you do not find a record, use the applicant’s ARN to search SSNAP. If no match is found, use the name and DOB shown on the EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) to search SSNAP.

   • •

     If you do not find a pending record, and the passport or other document shows a different name or a variation of the name on the EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550), search SSNAP for pending records under the other name(s). Be aware that if individuals have applied for U.S. naturalization, the applicant should already have an SSN assigned and may have requested a name change through the naturalization process.

5. 5. 

   If you find a pending application, compare the applicant's name, DOB, ARN, place of birth, parents' names, telephone number and mailing address as shown on the applicant's documents to the corresponding information on the pending SSNAP application, to determine if the SSNAP record belongs to the applicant.

   NOTE: If you locate a pending application showing an ARN that matches the ARN on the applicant’s EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550), consider this a strong indication of a match.

6. 6. 

   If you determine the pending record belongs to the applicant, take action to complete the application (e.g., resolve any discrepancies or EMs, see RM 10270.010.)

   If an immigration document, birth certificate, or passport show a different name or variations of the applicant's name, enter them, as appropriate, in the "name used at birth if different" and "other names used" fields on the NH Additional Information screen in SSNAP.

   Ensure that the applicant’s mailing address is correct.

7. 7. 

   If you do not find a pending application, start a new application and have the applicant submit all necessary evidence.

If you are unable to locate an SSN for an EBE applicant, take the following action:

1. 1. 

   Go to SSNAP and select Retrieve Application. Search for a pending application using the applicant’s ARN. Please note all applicants for a Certificate of Naturalization will already have an SSN.

   If no match is found, search by the applicant’s name and DOB on the EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550)

   If you do not find a pending application, compare the name shown on the EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) to the applicant’s passport and other documents.

   If another name appears on the passport or other document, search for a record under that name.

   If a record is found, compare the ARN on the EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) to the ARN shown on the SSNAP record to determine if the pending application belongs to the applicant.

   NOTE: If you locate a pending application showing an ARN that matches the ARN on the applicant’s EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550), consider this a strong indication of a match.

2. 2. 

   If you find a pending application that you determine belongs to the applicant, take action to resolve any exception conditions or EMs per RM 10270.010 and continue processing the application. Ensure that the applicant's mailing address is correct.

3. 3. 

   If you do not find a pending record in SSNAP that you determine belongs to the applicant, start a new application, and have the applicant submit all necessary evidence.

4. 4. 

   If the new SSN application does not clear in SSNAP the same day due to Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) verification, follow current procedures to obtain SAVE verifications. See RM 10214.000, you must complete an additional search in the ALPHIDENT Query using the applicant’s name and DOB. If no match is found, search by the ARN shown on the EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) before clearing the application in SSNAP.

Applicants may complete an SSN application and fail to mention (or may not be aware ) that they applied for an SSN on their Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), or Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).

Prior to starting a new application in SSNAP, determine if an SSN has already been assigned by requesting an ALPHIDENT Query from the I-Main Intranet Menu and entering the applicant's ARN shown on the immigration document, see MS 02901.002.

If this does not result in a match, search the ALPHIDENT Query by the applicant’s name and DOB.

If the applicant provides an SSN, confirm the SSN by reviewing the NUMIDENT query.

If you start to enter a new application, SSNAP may identify one or more pending applications based on an automatic SSN search or name and DOB search.

If there is a pending record for the individual in SSNAP, take the following action:

1. 1. 

   SSNAP will provide a list of pending applications. Select the appropriate pending application.

   1. a. 

      Compare the information on the pending record, (i.e., name, DOB, ARN, place of birth, parents' names, telephone number and mailing address) with the documents submitted by the applicant.

   2. b. 

      If you determine that the pending record belongs to the applicant, continue to process the pending application instead of the new application. Take action to resolve any exception conditions or EMs and continue processing the application. Confirm the applicant's mailing address; and correct the address, as needed.

   NOTE: If you locate a pending application showing an ARN that matches the ARN on the applicant’s EAD (Form I-766) or Permanent Resident Card (I-551) or Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550), consider this a strong indication of a match.

   2. If you do not find a pending application that you determine belongs to the applicant, process a new application after obtaining any necessary evidence, and take action to resolve any exception conditions or subsequent EMs. If an applicant requests to update information to their record please see RM 10212.200.

   NOTE: The immigration status must be verified through the SAVE program. See RM 10214.000- if SAVE does not verify the immigration status at the initial verification (IV) level.

This is an exhibit of the SSA handout available to applicants provided by USCIS and others.

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  RM 10214.000 SAVE Program

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  RM 10212.200 Changing NUMIDENT Data for Reasons Other than Name Change

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  RM 10215.040 Exclusions to Using the “Special FO Processing” Option in SSNAP

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  RM 10220.400 Discovery and Processing of Multiple Social Security Number Cases

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  RM 10270.010 General Processing Information for Enumeration Feedback Messages Received for SSN Applications

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  RM 10211.025 Evidence of Lawful Permanent Resident Status for an SSN Card

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  RM 10210.405 Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card

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  RM 10210.420 Priority List of Acceptable Evidence of Identity Documents