Funny thing happened at SSA

[richo 0]

OK well today my husband came home early. I asked if we can go to SSA to verify if I was cleared already so I can get a printed certificate with my SSN on it. Btw, I applied last week oct. 15. Anyways, so I told my hubby that we will just try to see if I can get a printed certification if not then that's fine. Now, we walk in and get a number, I stayed inside my hubby walked outside the office due to an urgent phone call. While he was talking outside in the phone, my number was called and so I go ahead and proceeded to the window without him. I showed the lady a piece of paper given by them the first time I went in there..so she type..look at the monitor...type...look at my paper..after 2 to 3 minutes ..this is what she told me..YOU'RE NOT CLEARED YET..DHS HAVEN'T PUT YOU IN THE SYSTEM YET..AND BESIDES YOU JUST APPLIED OCT. 15 YOU SHOULD WAIT MORE..LIKE 6 WEEKS. I tried to ask one more time if i can just at least get a printed certification with my SSN with it for my nursing license exam and so I can be put in my husband's insurance too..BUT ITS A BIG NO..AND I HAVE TO WAIT. Ok fine, i went outside then my hubby ask what happened i said the lady told me that i have to wait. And then he said what?? that's it? I want a definite answer. Let's go back. I said no its ok. Well he insisted.....

NOW! My husbands turn, we got a new number and ask to go to the LADY NEXT TO THE WINDOW OF WHO I JUST TALKED TO..So she can see and overhear of course. Then my husband talks...etc..this and that..DHS gave her EAD already...she wont be able to work because employer asking SSN..she'll have her licensure exam soon...i can't put her in my medical insurance...THEN! THE WHOLE STORY CHANGES. THIS LADY SAID THAT THE FIRST TIME I WENT THERE WHICH IS ON OCT. 15 , DHS HASN'T CLEARED MY NAME YET NOW ON OCT, 21 WHICH IS TODAY...DHS ALREADY CLEARED IT! WELL HOW ABOUT THAT! She gave me a new piece of paper and told me to come back on thursday to get my printed certification with SSn and the card will follow shorthly within a week or two..SO FROM DHS NOT CLEARED MY NAME YET TO DHS CLEARED IT TODAY?!!?? FROM 6 WEEKS TO 2 WEEKS AND WILL GET A PRINTED CERTIFICATION 2 DAYS FROM NOW

WELL HOW ABOUT THAT FOR A NICE AFTERNOON AT SSA Oh and btw, my hubby (WHITE-US citizen) WAS NOT WITH ME THE FIRST TIME I APPLIED I GUESS YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT THE LESSON OF THIS STORY

Edited October 22, 2008 by richo

[tanyaru 3]

OK well today my husband came home early. I asked if we can go to SSA to verify if I was cleared already so I can get a printed certificate with my SSN on it. Btw, I applied last week oct. 15. Anyways, so I told my hubby that we will just try to see if I can get a printed certification if not then that's fine. Now, we walk in and get a number, I stayed inside my hubby walked outside the office due to an urgent phone call. While he was talking outside in the phone, my number was called and so I go ahead and proceeded to the window without him. I showed the lady a piece of paper given by them the first time I went in there..so she type..look at the monitor...type...look at my paper..after 2 to 3 minutes ..this is what she told me..YOU'RE NOT CLEARED YET..DHS HAVEN'T PUT YOU IN THE SYSTEM YET..AND BESIDES YOU JUST APPLIED OCT. 15 YOU SHOULD WAIT MORE..LIKE 6 WEEKS. I tried to ask one more time if i can just at least get a printed certification with my SSN with it for my nursing license exam and so I can be put in my husband's insurance too..BUT ITS A BIG NO..AND I HAVE TO WAIT. Ok fine, i went outside then my hubby ask what happened i said the lady told me that i have to wait. And then he said what?? that's it? I want a definite answer. Let's go back. I said no its ok. Well he insisted.....

NOW! My husbands turn, we got a new number and ask to go to the LADY NEXT TO THE WINDOW OF WHO I JUST TALKED TO..So she can see and overhear of course. Then my husband talks...etc..this and that..DHS gave her EAD already...she wont be able to work because employer asking SSN..she'll have her licensure exam soon...i can't put her in my medical insurance...THEN! THE WHOLE STORY CHANGES. THIS LADY SAID THAT THE FIRST TIME I WENT THERE WHICH IS ON OCT. 15 , DHS HASN'T CLEARED MY NAME YET NOW ON OCT, 21 WHICH IS TODAY...DHS ALREADY CLEARED IT! WELL HOW ABOUT THAT! She gave me a new piece of paper and told me to come back on thursday to get my printed certification with SSn and the card will follow shorthly within a week or two..SO FROM DHS NOT CLEARED MY NAME YET TO DHS CLEARED IT TODAY?!!?? FROM 6 WEEKS TO 2 WEEKS AND WILL GET A PRINTED CERTIFICATION 2 DAYS FROM NOW

WELL HOW ABOUT THAT FOR A NICE AFTERNOON AT SSA Oh and btw, my hubby (WHITE-US citizen) WAS NOT WITH ME THE FIRST TIME I APPLIED I GUESS YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT THE LESSON OF THIS STORY

This is cool! Props to your hubby!

[Cassie 8]

I think it's more of dealing with someone who knew what they were doing, as opposed to racism.

[diday 0]

partly happened to me. had also a long story with SSA.

[richo 0]

I think it's more of dealing with someone who knew what they were doing, as opposed to racism.

I think it is STRAIGHT OUT discrimination. For sure people who work there would at least know the right process. Will it be different if I communicate in any other way? Like how would a lawyer should have ask it? I dont think it would be different. When my hubby walks in with me it was done. THAT FAST!

[Cassie 8]

I think it's more of dealing with someone who knew what they were doing, as opposed to racism.

I think it is STRAIGHT OUT discrimination. For sure people who work there would at least know the right process. Will it be different if I communicate in any other way? Like how would a lawyer should have ask it? I dont think it would be different. When my hubby walks in with me it was done. THAT FAST!

SSA is notorious for having problems with dealing with visa-holders, I read about all the time here in VJ. It's the same with the DMV -- you can deal with one person who hasn't a sweet clue, and then deal with someone else in the same office that knows what to do and can take care of it in a flash. I am sorry that you had to deal with the hassle, but frankly, what happened doesn't surprise me.

[vichygurl 1]

hmmm.... that simply tells not all Americans are nice as much as not all Filipinos are nice too,LOL Well,lets face it..sooner or later racial discrimination comes along to us.. as called "ALIEN" in this country. ( I don't like that word though but USCIS recognized us as that ).

Don't worry Richo... I am waiting for mine too. LoL:)

Vida Taylor

Edited October 22, 2008 by blukiss24

[keweul 1]

OK well today my husband came home early. I asked if we can go to SSA to verify if I was cleared already so I can get a printed certificate with my SSN on it. Btw, I applied last week oct. 15. Anyways, so I told my hubby that we will just try to see if I can get a printed certification if not then that's fine. Now, we walk in and get a number, I stayed inside my hubby walked outside the office due to an urgent phone call. While he was talking outside in the phone, my number was called and so I go ahead and proceeded to the window without him. I showed the lady a piece of paper given by them the first time I went in there..so she type..look at the monitor...type...look at my paper..after 2 to 3 minutes ..this is what she told me..YOU'RE NOT CLEARED YET..DHS HAVEN'T PUT YOU IN THE SYSTEM YET..AND BESIDES YOU JUST APPLIED OCT. 15 YOU SHOULD WAIT MORE..LIKE 6 WEEKS. I tried to ask one more time if i can just at least get a printed certification with my SSN with it for my nursing license exam and so I can be put in my husband's insurance too..BUT ITS A BIG NO..AND I HAVE TO WAIT. Ok fine, i went outside then my hubby ask what happened i said the lady told me that i have to wait. And then he said what?? that's it? I want a definite answer. Let's go back. I said no its ok. Well he insisted.....

NOW! My husbands turn, we got a new number and ask to go to the LADY NEXT TO THE WINDOW OF WHO I JUST TALKED TO..So she can see and overhear of course. Then my husband talks...etc..this and that..DHS gave her EAD already...she wont be able to work because employer asking SSN..she'll have her licensure exam soon...i can't put her in my medical insurance...THEN! THE WHOLE STORY CHANGES. THIS LADY SAID THAT THE FIRST TIME I WENT THERE WHICH IS ON OCT. 15 , DHS HASN'T CLEARED MY NAME YET NOW ON OCT, 21 WHICH IS TODAY...DHS ALREADY CLEARED IT! WELL HOW ABOUT THAT! She gave me a new piece of paper and told me to come back on thursday to get my printed certification with SSn and the card will follow shorthly within a week or two..SO FROM DHS NOT CLEARED MY NAME YET TO DHS CLEARED IT TODAY?!!?? FROM 6 WEEKS TO 2 WEEKS AND WILL GET A PRINTED CERTIFICATION 2 DAYS FROM NOW

WELL HOW ABOUT THAT FOR A NICE AFTERNOON AT SSA Oh and btw, my hubby (WHITE-US citizen) WAS NOT WITH ME THE FIRST TIME I APPLIED I GUESS YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT THE LESSON OF THIS STORY

Well that just plain sucks...not suprised with anything in this country anymore...You should've asked for a supervisor or can someone else verify that what she says is true (apparently it wasn't) and i'm sure the second person that helped you saw exactly what the first one did on the screen sooooo call it what you want i'm with Richo on this one...I'll wait til end of next week to see what happens with mine b4 I start making noise LOL....sorry Richo hope the rest of your journey isn't this bad...can't wait til we all don't have to deal with US immigration or ssa anymore...and just live our lives

[J_Girl 0]

I think it's more of dealing with someone who knew what they were doing, as opposed to racism.

I think it is STRAIGHT OUT discrimination. For sure people who work there would at least know the right process. Will it be different if I communicate in any other way? Like how would a lawyer should have ask it? I dont think it would be different. When my hubby walks in with me it was done. THAT FAST!

Sorry you got the run around, although I have to say I'm white and have had problems with unhelpful staff when I have been to the local SS office, and I won't even bother telling the story of how rudely I was treated when trying to get my drivers licence!!

The same thing happens when I have to talk to USCIS on the phone, with me no one wants to help but when my husband (the American citizen) asks to speak with an immigration officer he gets put straight through.

Don't feel bad about it, I'm guessing the woman probably was having a crabby day at work.

Edited October 22, 2008 by J_Girl

[Johnnie J 0]

I had the same story basically, except from the part where I was told I had to wait until my SSN arrives.

[mrsartis 10]

Sad to hear your story girl.. but we'll see hopefully you'll get it in 2 days.

by the way, i applied for an SSN and it was just like getting an order in a restaurant i think it was faster too,, and in a week i got the card..

[Carlawarla 1]

Really sorry to hear about your situation. I'm appalled that the first thing you thought about is that this was a case of racism. You should know from this process that half the time one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing. I'd chalk it up to that first before I'd ever be pulling "the racism card". What a way to start a life in America!

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

It's stupidity, not discrimination. The first one just didn't know what the hell she was doing. What many people who come here from overseas don't understand is how truly stupid and incompetent many government office employees are. They receive little or no training, they are not held accountable for their work to any degree, and they are just plain lazy. Have you ever noticed how many people at SSA or DMV just sit around and do NOTHING, except read the newspaper or talk on the phone? This is one of the perks of the job. This situation is not surprising, nor is it uncommon. It happens to us all.

Edited October 22, 2008 by kid brooklyn

[Completely 3]

OK well today my husband came home early. I asked if we can go to SSA to verify if I was cleared already so I can get a printed certificate with my SSN on it. Btw, I applied last week oct. 15. Anyways, so I told my hubby that we will just try to see if I can get a printed certification if not then that's fine. Now, we walk in and get a number, I stayed inside my hubby walked outside the office due to an urgent phone call. While he was talking outside in the phone, my number was called and so I go ahead and proceeded to the window without him. I showed the lady a piece of paper given by them the first time I went in there..so she type..look at the monitor...type...look at my paper..after 2 to 3 minutes ..this is what she told me..YOU'RE NOT CLEARED YET..DHS HAVEN'T PUT YOU IN THE SYSTEM YET..AND BESIDES YOU JUST APPLIED OCT. 15 YOU SHOULD WAIT MORE..LIKE 6 WEEKS. I tried to ask one more time if i can just at least get a printed certification with my SSN with it for my nursing license exam and so I can be put in my husband's insurance too..BUT ITS A BIG NO..AND I HAVE TO WAIT. Ok fine, i went outside then my hubby ask what happened i said the lady told me that i have to wait. And then he said what?? that's it? I want a definite answer. Let's go back. I said no its ok. Well he insisted.....

NOW! My husbands turn, we got a new number and ask to go to the LADY NEXT TO THE WINDOW OF WHO I JUST TALKED TO..So she can see and overhear of course. Then my husband talks...etc..this and that..DHS gave her EAD already...she wont be able to work because employer asking SSN..she'll have her licensure exam soon...i can't put her in my medical insurance...THEN! THE WHOLE STORY CHANGES. THIS LADY SAID THAT THE FIRST TIME I WENT THERE WHICH IS ON OCT. 15 , DHS HASN'T CLEARED MY NAME YET NOW ON OCT, 21 WHICH IS TODAY...DHS ALREADY CLEARED IT! WELL HOW ABOUT THAT! She gave me a new piece of paper and told me to come back on thursday to get my printed certification with SSn and the card will follow shorthly within a week or two..SO FROM DHS NOT CLEARED MY NAME YET TO DHS CLEARED IT TODAY?!!?? FROM 6 WEEKS TO 2 WEEKS AND WILL GET A PRINTED CERTIFICATION 2 DAYS FROM NOW

WELL HOW ABOUT THAT FOR A NICE AFTERNOON AT SSA Oh and btw, my hubby (WHITE-US citizen) WAS NOT WITH ME THE FIRST TIME I APPLIED I GUESS YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT THE LESSON OF THIS STORY

I am telling you now, this will not be the first time and the last time you will experience meeting those kind of stupid people. You will be strong and will know how to be sarcastic and fight for what is right.. You will learn how to defend yourself later on as times goes by.

One american friend of mine told me that if you want to be heard, you need to think like an american, and you have to act like an american.. Dont let someone humiliate you,.. you need to speak up for yourself. I said how? Be an arrogant in the right way.. THen later on I realized he was right I have to be that way in the sense that I have to answered them in a right or else I wont get the answer I need.

I had apply for a position before for I was already an employee of this company but I was considered a Foreign National, so I was employed though subcontract.. When I received my greencard, I did apply for a US admin position.. the HR Manager told me that I can not be hired for that position because I was a foreign national only a US person can get that position.. I dont know what to say that time, so I just accepted whatever she said to me, but on my mind, I told myself I will research this and prove to them that by US labor law immigrants enjoy the same right as US person, provided that the position does not required clearance.. After searching several information online, I gathered every information that pertains to an immigrant and showed it to her. But this time she have another excuse, she said I can not be hired due to some export regulation.. And you know what when she said that I showed him an article on line pertaining on the regulation.. that an immigrant is considered a US person!... She did not say anything after that,, I told my supervisor I believe I am qualified enough to be considered even just an applicant for that position... Even him he did not say anything.. I filed a complaint of discrimination in our own ombudsman and guess what? The senior HR came to me and apologize for what happened., he said that it is okay now to hire an immigrant..My mind says only now? it is in the law.. you can not discriminate someone based on their origin, race, religion etc..(but i did not utter anything back, i just let him talk)... they fired the HR Manager due to a lot of people complaining about her but no body say anything.. After the persistence I had applying for different position.. I got an offer and now working for a better paying job..

The thing on this is, if you know something you want, dont be ashame, learn how to speak out.

[Completely 3]

The only thing I can be proud of being a Filipino.. Most of our people are educated person...no body has the right to be little us..

There is lot of american that does not have a degree nor even have a college level..(sorry for other US person in VJ) but this is reality,,I am just referring to those people who work in some offices that does not know what their doing..Instead of asking co workers for verification, they will still be an arrogant and believe they know what they are talking about..Its so pathetic..

so for the newcomers dont be shy and dont belittle yourself.. learn how to speak out.