I have spoken to the Social Security office and also a tax attorney and I cannot get SSN's for my children as they do not qualify. As a non-citizen and non green card holder, only people with valid work authorization (EAD) can apply for a SSN. There are exceptions but getting the SSN in order to get the Child Tax Credit is not one of them.
Basically with the tax law changes, only US Citizens or Green card holders are now able to apply for a SSN for their children and therefore be eligible for the Child Tax Credit. If you have an ITIN for your child you qualify for the $500 per child credit.
