SSA does not accept NOA (1 yr. extension) as proof

[lokivisa 0]

Had to take the kids (12 & 14) to get biometrics today, so since we had all the docs in hand: passport, expired GC, NOA1 (1 yr extension), etc., we went to SSA on the way back to get the kids their SSN's. Haven't needed them up until now since they had ITINS for tax purposes, but if you want to get the "stimulus" bucks, you have to have SSN. So after waiting the traditional 2 hrs at SSA office, we presented all the docs to the examiner and was immediately denied because "USCIS told us not to accept the 1 yr extension letter as valid proof of identiity". This kinda irked me as fairly ludicrous since it says right on it that it extends the employment authorization, however I left and now am just wondering if USCIS would give the kids the 551 stamp in the passport because of this issue, or we just have to wait for the new cards (probably about a year if we're lucky). I have read the SSA procedures https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410 and I don't see anything there about the extension letter, but it does say to accept the 551 stamp as valid. Any thoughts?

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I got my SSN with just a I-551 stamp in my passport as my greencard went missing in the mail.... I had no issues with the stamp....

Kez

[lokivisa 0]

What I'm wondering though is if USCIS will consider this a valid reason to give the stamp. Is it worth the 2 hr trip to San Antonio.

[Peter T 0]

What I'm wondering though is if USCIS will consider this a valid reason to give the stamp. Is it worth the 2 hr trip to San Antonio.

USCIS should consider this a valid reason, because the kids have the correct status and it's a matter of several hundred dollars for them; however, USCIS should do many things and is not doing them. I would make up a balance sheet between going and not-going and then decide what you will do. Sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

[Scalpel 14]

Had to take the kids (12 & 14) to get biometrics today, so since we had all the docs in hand: passport, expired GC, NOA1 (1 yr extension), etc., we went to SSA on the way back to get the kids their SSN's. Haven't needed them up until now since they had ITINS for tax purposes, but if you want to get the "stimulus" bucks, you have to have SSN. So after waiting the traditional 2 hrs at SSA office, we presented all the docs to the examiner and was immediately denied because "USCIS told us not to accept the 1 yr extension letter as valid proof of identiity". This kinda irked me as fairly ludicrous since it says right on it that it extends the employment authorization, however I left and now am just wondering if USCIS would give the kids the 551 stamp in the passport because of this issue, or we just have to wait for the new cards (probably about a year if we're lucky). I have read the SSA procedures https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410 and I don't see anything there about the extension letter, but it does say to accept the 551 stamp as valid. Any thoughts?

Then try another SSA location. SSA, like its cousin, CIS, is just another inept government bureaucracy. Sometimes the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing or you might have ended up in the hands of an overzealous employee. If you get denied again, however, ask to talk to a supervisor and request a denial letter in writing. Take the denial letter to the congressional rep for your district and/or call the ombudsman (I think the next conference call is coming up shortly). You need to stand up for your kids because by law, you and your kids are permanent residents - and you remain so until you abandon your status or until your applications are denied. In addition, you all are entitled to the same rights and privileges as US citizens (except the right to vote). If everyone accepts the crappy treatment they mete out to innocent, law-abiding immigrants - then they are encouraged to keep the same and absolutely nothing will change.

[lokivisa 0]

I agree that inept agencies is the root of the problem, however in a practical sense, I will probably try to get the 551 stamp and expedite the approval and complain to my congressman, at the same time, about the refusal to accept the NOA. Now if CIS doesn't give me the stamp or SSA still doesn't accept, I will get fired up. It is rediculous that USCIS has allegedly cautioned SSA not to accept it's own extension documents.

[2long 0]

Had to take the kids (12 & 14) to get biometrics today, so since we had all the docs in hand: passport, expired GC, NOA1 (1 yr extension), etc., we went to SSA on the way back to get the kids their SSN's. Haven't needed them up until now since they had ITINS for tax purposes, but if you want to get the "stimulus" bucks, you have to have SSN. So after waiting the traditional 2 hrs at SSA office, we presented all the docs to the examiner and was immediately denied because "USCIS told us not to accept the 1 yr extension letter as valid proof of identiity". This kinda irked me as fairly ludicrous since it says right on it that it extends the employment authorization, however I left and now am just wondering if USCIS would give the kids the 551 stamp in the passport because of this issue, or we just have to wait for the new cards (probably about a year if we're lucky). I have read the SSA procedures https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410 and I don't see anything there about the extension letter, but it does say to accept the 551 stamp as valid. Any thoughts?

Same thing happen to and Iwas so Frustrated.I'm going for PassportStamp Next week.

I would suggest you to get the Passport stamp

Or try another SSA Office ,Sometime a nice person sitting can understand it.Because Extension letter is the proof that you are permanent resident.

[lokivisa 0]

Well, we all went Friday to San Antonio to get the 551 stamp for the kids. Nope! Supervisor denied the stamp, even after I presented the SSA procedures outlining that they will not accept receipt letters, and supervisor said we had our NOA and that was the formal extension letter and that's that. Went back to SSA in Austin and supervisor refused to accept NOA again as "they could not accept the receipt letter as proof of extension. So, it's time to write the congressperson I guess. Not sure that it's worth it at this point since I don't know if they will retroactively send out the stimulus if we amend our return to include kids SSN's after May timeframe. Anyone from Texas have a good experience with a particular congress person in dealing with USCIS?

[imailin 0]

Had to take the kids (12 & 14) to get biometrics today, so since we had all the docs in hand: passport, expired GC, NOA1 (1 yr extension), etc., we went to SSA on the way back to get the kids their SSN's. Haven't needed them up until now since they had ITINS for tax purposes, but if you want to get the "stimulus" bucks, you have to have SSN. So after waiting the traditional 2 hrs at SSA office, we presented all the docs to the examiner and was immediately denied because "USCIS told us not to accept the 1 yr extension letter as valid proof of identiity". This kinda irked me as fairly ludicrous since it says right on it that it extends the employment authorization, however I left and now am just wondering if USCIS would give the kids the 551 stamp in the passport because of this issue, or we just have to wait for the new cards (probably about a year if we're lucky). I have read the SSA procedures https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410 and I don't see anything there about the extension letter, but it does say to accept the 551 stamp as valid. Any thoughts?

similar situation happened to me last month... when I went to the SS department claiming that I had lost my ss card. They did not accept my NOA, they answer me "Immigration and us (ss dept) have different rules, you need to bring your passport stamp".. ridiculous!!! since the Noa and the passport will state the same!!!! I can work and travel normally, besides I already have a SS number!!!!

whatever!

[annelizabeth 1]

I am sorry to hear you are having problems.

When I got my original Conditional green card I went along to my local SS office to get an unrestricted card, as per advice here. I was unfortunate enough to get the nastiest employee, who told me that only citizens were entitled to unrestricted SSN cards!!!! It didn't matter to her what I said and she wouldn't let me speak to anyone else. When I told her that as an HR manager many of my resident alien workers had unrestricted cards, her response was "well they must all be illegal!"

I was so incensed I went home and researched all the relevent SSA procedures and printed them off. I went back to the office and spoke with a different employee. He said there was no problem whatsoever and processed my request straight away - I didn't even need to produce all my research. I made a complaint in writing to the Manager, but they never responded.

Hope you have better luch with your congressperson.

[lokivisa 0]

Just a brief update and conclusion - Wrote my congressman explaining catch22 situation - USCIS won't give stamp, SSA only accepts stamp as proof. Now 2 weeks after congressional inquiry - USCIS happy to give the 551 stamp - ("c'mon in, no INFOPASS necessary"), SSA has changed their national procedures and will now accept extension letter as proof ("ask for the district manager when you come in"). I think we'll get the stamp anyway. Sometimes it does work to ask for help.

[eau_xplain 2]

Amazing how accommodating civil servants can be when someone from the congressman's office calls them.

[kenk3z 0]

Also, it is my understanding that if you file your 2007 Federal tax forms ANY TIME before the end of the calendar year 2008, you will get a tax rebate. It was not necessary to have filed before April 15th. You will simply get your rebate check some appropriate amount of time after filing.

So by all means take care of this issue and get the SSNs done and then file taxes using the new SSNs.

kenk3z

[honeyblonde 0]

I just had to get two different government offices on the phone with each other at work twice this week because of this kind of disconnect and I know from 9 years of experience what frustration it is when two government offices are not on the same page about something. I'm glad you were able to patiently work through this issue and get resolution. It does have a lot to do with who you talk to. Unfortunately for us here at work today the person that we were finally told is the only one that can resolve our issue is totally useless. Thank goodness there is a lady in his office who is really nice and she's trying to help us.

We have a joke here at work that is unfortunately seen way too often in reality - "in the government they always promote to the level of ones incompetency." Often it seems that the more useless someone is, the higher they get promoted, so elevating an issue to a supervisor can sometimes be more frustrating that dealing with the first level person. There are occasional nice people too though, and we need to get their names when we get them so we can tell others who to ask for. Only now the government is getting smart and telling us that they aren't allowed to transfer us to someone else, we have to deal with whoever answers the phone.

It sounds like the people at immigration aren't much different from the ones I deal with daily in the branches of the government I work with.