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Fact check: Can Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients get Social Security numbers?
Executive Summary
DACA recipients who are granted employment authorization can obtain a Social Security number (SSN) and card after receiving their Employment Authorization Document; the Social Security Administration and USCIS provide step‑by‑step guidance for applying [1] [2]. Practical details — required documents, timing, and limits on public benefits — are set out by SSA and USCIS, but legal uncertainty about DACA’s future continues to affect long‑term planning for recipients [3] [4] [5].
1. Clear claim: DACA approval leads to eligibility for an SSN — here’s what people say.
The central claim across the documents is straightforward: individuals granted DACA and issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD/I‑766) become eligible to apply for a Social Security number. USCIS explains that approval produces written notice and an EAD that enables employment in the United States, after which applicants may apply to the Social Security Administration for an SSN [1]. The Social Security Administration has published plain‑language guidance and a one‑page handout confirming the process and listing acceptable identity and immigration documents for DACA recipients applying for an SSN [2]. Independent immigrant‑advocacy and legal resources reiterate this sequence: USCIS approval → EAD issuance → SSA SSN application [3] [6]. This claim is consistent and repeated across federal and nonprofit sources, leaving little disagreement about the narrow question of SSN eligibility upon DACA approval [1] [2].
2. How the application process actually works — documents, timing, and practical steps.
Guidance materials describe a predictable path: after USCIS grants DACA and mails the decision and the EAD card, the individual brings the EAD plus proof of age and identity to a local Social Security office to apply for an original SSN and card. Required documentation typically includes the USCIS‑issued Employment Authorization Card and supplemental ID that demonstrates age and identity; exact document lists are provided by SSA and reproduced by legal aid organizations to prevent delays [3]. The SSA handout condenses the list to avoid confusion and notes that SSA will verify immigration status with DHS records as part of processing [2]. Sources emphasize applicants should not attempt to apply to SSA before receiving the EAD because the SSA requires the EAD or formal USCIS notice of approval as proof of work authorization [3].
3. What SSN possession means — benefits, work, and limits on public programs.
Receiving an SSN allows DACA recipients to work legally and have payroll taxes and earnings recorded for Social Security benefits; SSA guidance confirms DACA recipients are lawfully present for certain federal program purposes, and their earnings can count toward future Social Security benefits [4] [6]. However, eligibility for other federal public benefits remains limited and depends on specific statutory rules; having an SSN is neither a blanket entitlement to all benefits nor a pathway to lawful permanent residence by itself [4]. The documentation stresses that while SSNs enable employment and access to some programs, DACA remains a discretionary, non‑immigrant form of relief distinct from lawful permanent residence, and benefit eligibility continues to be defined by statute and regulation [4] [1].
4. Why confusion persists — legal challenges and messaging differences.
Confusion stems from the broader legal uncertainty surrounding DACA and uneven messaging from agencies, advocates, and adversaries. Court rulings since 2012 have repeatedly altered the program’s stability, producing cycles of policy shifts that affect guidance and public perception; some materials explain DACA renewal procedures and travel restrictions but do not reiterate SSN procedures, leaving gaps for recipients [5] [1]. Advocacy groups and universities reproduce SSA guidance to help clients, while litigation briefs and FAQs emphasize different aspects — legal status, renewals, and risk — rather than the mechanical process for obtaining an SSN [5] [3]. This divergence in emphasis creates practical uncertainty even when federal guidance on SSN issuance is clear [2].
5. Contradictions and what to watch for — accuracy, agendas, and updates.
Most contradictions are not about whether SSNs can be issued, but about what SSN possession implies and whether DACA will remain available long enough for long‑term planning. Federal SSA and USCIS materials uniformly state SSNs may be issued post‑EAD, while advocacy and informational pages stress caveats and renewal vulnerabilities [2] [1] [6]. Be alert for sources that conflate SSN issuance with broader immigration relief or that omit the need for the EAD before SSA will process the SSN application; such omissions can mislead applicants into premature or rejected visits to SSA offices [3]. Given the program’s exposure to litigation and policy change, check agency pages for the latest procedural updates before applying [2] [1].
6. Bottom line and recommended next steps for DACA recipients seeking an SSN.
The bottom line is definitive: once USCIS grants DACA and issues an Employment Authorization Document, the recipient can apply for a Social Security number at the SSA using the EAD plus identity documents [1] [2]. Prospective applicants should wait for the physical EAD before visiting SSA, bring the specific documents listed on SSA’s handout, and confirm local office procedures or appointment requirements. Because the program’s long‑term status can change, recipients should also keep copies of USCIS approval notices and consult updated SSA and USCIS pages or trusted legal aid organizations for any procedural changes before applying [2] [3].