Chronic health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer and kidney disease account for more than 75% of the nation's $2.7 trillion in annual spending for medical care, says Ursula Bauer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
He might need to have one while waiting for a TS clearance to go thru. They take from 1-4 months for the interim, the TS clearance could take from 1 month to 2 years from what I have seen. I had to wait 2 years for the final one to go thru. As I said I have also seen people get them really fast too.
Request an interim card. If the USCIS fails to make a decision on your EAD renewal within 90 days (or 30 days if you are an asylum applicant), you may request an interim EAD. This document can be granted for up to 240 days. You can request an interim card, in-person, at a local USCIS office.