Social Security Number card undelivered because...

[Badgerella 5]

...of something really weird.

So I have been here in Minnesota since August 8th 2009. I applied for SSN on September 1st and today I called the local SSN center to inquire about my yet-undelivered SSN card (they want you to call them if the card isn't delivered within 10-14 days).

Apparently, it has not been delivered because I had never registered with the USPS (yes, USPS meaning United States Postal Service, not some immigration-related service...).

Has anyone else had this happen? Nobody ever told me I needed to register with my local post office (?!?!??) - it did not happen during any of the immigration-related things, as well as during my appointment at the SSN office, where it was more than clear that I was an immigrant, who had never been to the US before and who had never been issued an SSN either. So how or why did it pop up just now? So far, in this month and a few days, I have received mail without problems, in both my maiden name, as well as the new one I got through marriage.

Unfortunately, I failed to get to the SSN office during work hours, so I have to go back there tomorrow morning.

What on earth is going on here and how do I make sure I get the card delivered? I want to make sure we can get my AOS right, too, and I'd also appreciate having EAD as soon as possible as well.

[Otto 83]

It is always a good idea to put the names of people living at an address on the inside of the mailbox (the inside of the lid or where ever the postal carrier will see the names) - especially if new the the area.

As far as registering with USPS - never really heard of this (except maybe in a rural area).

[Badgerella 5]

The thing is, we know the local carrier, he knows where I am from and that I've been here and, unless they have someone else delivering SSN cards (I got mail from the local SSN office 14 days ago without problem), I don't see how or why he wouldn't have rang the bell and asked if something was, all of a sudden, unclear.

Our house actually does belong to a rural area and the local post office (which is downtown) had no idea what 'registering with them' was supposed to mean. They had me list the names of everyone living in this house and said they'd let our carrier know.

All in all, it makes no sense. If putting a piece of paper in one's mailbox determines whether something as important as someone's SSN card will be delivered, then there's something really wrong with the system. If that piece of paper is all that it takes, I assume I could right now go cancel all my neighbours' mail, just for shits and giggles, no? All I need is to put some paper in their always-unlocked mailboxes.

I still don't quite understand what I am supposed to do to make sure I receive my SSN card as soon as possible. Someone's idiocy has already cost me 14 days and I don't want it to happen again.

[JeremyR 8]

If I were you I'd phone back, get a different agent and ask again. To be honest, it sounds like the person who you spoke to didn't know what they were talking about. Alas, like the USCIS misinformation line, it happens often with the SSA.

FWIW, I've never heard of 'registering with USPS' either, don't have my name on the inside of the mailbox and I've never had any problem with non-delivery of anything.

Just to confirm, you haven't moved between applying for the SSN and now?

[thepizzadude 26]

Like was said before some places have a problem delivering mail to an address without your name on the box. Since you know your mail carrier maybe you should put your name on the box in case your mail carrier doesn't deliver some days, maybe he took a sick day and the fill in guy is a stickler for "the rules".

Good Luck

[Badgerella 5]

If I were you I'd phone back, get a different agent and ask again. To be honest, it sounds like the person who you spoke to didn't know what they were talking about. Alas, like the USCIS misinformation line, it happens often with the SSA.

FWIW, I've never heard of 'registering with USPS' either, don't have my name on the inside of the mailbox and I've never had any problem with non-delivery of anything.

Just to confirm, you haven't moved between applying for the SSN and now?

No, no, I haven't moved at all. The address they have is my one and only address I've ever had in the US.3

I'm going to the Social Security Center tomorrow morning and will ask to speak with a supervisor, or something.

Thanks for your help.