Social Security Number

[NotworkSte 19]

Hey all,

For anyone here who came over with cr1/ir1 and ticked the box to have an SSN number applied for as part of the process....

From what I understand it takes about 2 weeks to get the card after arrival. It's only been a week for me, but I hoped to go to the social security office and see if one had been assigned on the system so that I could at least get it, but it hadn't. On the phone line the representative said that nothing had actually been received by them yet to have them assign me one and that it might have gotten "lost"

Question is... does it really take 2 weeks? Or does it take longer? I am not at the 2 week bit and not overly concerned, what is niggling me at the back of my mind is that, what if it got misplaced and I end up having to appliy by form, since I am trying to look for work right now. Unfottunately a lot of places when applying on the web actually need the number, or at least the last 4 digits.

-Stephen

[English Muffin 59]

Moving to the 'Working and Traveling' forum where you'll probably get a better response.

[Otto 83]

Question is... does it really take 2 weeks? Or does it take longer? I am not at the 2 week bit and not overly concerned, what is niggling me at the back of my mind is that, what if it got misplaced and I end up having to appliy by form, since I am trying to look for work right now. Unfottunately a lot of places when applying on the web actually need the number, or at least the last 4 digits.

It seems to take a couple of weeks, typically. For whatever reason, some folks never get it and have to go down to the SSA to apply (by form) - so if it's been a couple/three weeks with nothing; I might be inclined to suggest you go down the the SSA to apply for one (which will take a couple of weeks to get).

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I seem to recall it took Bruce three weeks to get his. I wouldn't worry just yet.

[I'm Gone 60]

RM 00202.315 Enumeration At Entry

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100202315

If you have been here at least three weeks, you need to go back into a Social Security office or Card Center, Take your Form I-551 (Green Card) or the Immigrant visa with the I-551 language and passport and if you have one available your birth certificate. Have them check to see if you have a pending application. If no application is pending you need to submit an application. Ask to speak with a manager if they won't look for a pending application and/or let you submit an application.

Now if you want to go in sooner than three weeks just to see if you have been assigned an SSN, that's OK, but I wouldn't apply until you wait three weeks or you could possibly be assigned two SSNs.

[I'm Gone 60]

For whatever reason, some folks never get it

That's not true. You only hear from the people when it didn't work. People rarely post on here when thing go right.

[NotworkSte 19]

Well, it's been 3 weeks and 1 days now, no sign of SSN, not even in the system.

I_QUIT - I read that section on the SSA web site, and armed with my new knowledge, went into the office here in Tampa to be told rather curtly

1 - I need to wait 6 to 8 weeks before it arrives

2 - The website is wrong, whoever wrote that does not know the process and it is not correct (direct quote)

3 - That I cannot even apply for the number till after 6 to 8 weeks by submitting the form if it still has not arrived

Followed up by some information that they have had some "problems" creating a "backlog". Whether this is true or not, who knows. So it looks like I just wait for a while longer. To be honest I don't care if it takes 2 weeks or 8 weeks, I just wished they gave a consistent line on HOW long it is meant to take.

[I'm Gone 60]

Well, it's been 3 weeks and 1 days now, no sign of SSN, not even in the system.

I_QUIT - I read that section on the SSA web site, and armed with my new knowledge, went into the office here in Tampa to be told rather curtly

1 - I need to wait 6 to 8 weeks before it arrives

2 - The website is wrong, whoever wrote that does not know the process and it is not correct (direct quote)

3 - That I cannot even apply for the number till after 6 to 8 weeks by submitting the form if it still has not arrived

That is total BS. You need to either try another office, or speak with a manager at that one.

If you are talking about Step #5

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/whatyou_need.htm

I know it is correct.

This is also right

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/Handout_11_1.html

"We will assign you an SSN and issue you a Social Security card after you arrive in the United States. If you already have an SSN, we will issue you a replacement SSN card. We will mail your SSN card to the U.S. mailing address where the Department of Homeland Security will send your Permanent Resident Card. You should receive your Social Security card within 3 weeks after you arrive"

[Darnell 8,479]

Well, it's been 3 weeks and 1 days now, no sign of SSN, not even in the system.

I_QUIT - I read that section on the SSA web site, and armed with my new knowledge, went into the office here in Tampa to be told rather curtly

1 - I need to wait 6 to 8 weeks before it arrives

2 - The website is wrong, whoever wrote that does not know the process and it is not correct (direct quote)

3 - That I cannot even apply for the number till after 6 to 8 weeks by submitting the form if it still has not arrived

Followed up by some information that they have had some "problems" creating a "backlog". Whether this is true or not, who knows. So it looks like I just wait for a while longer. To be honest I don't care if it takes 2 weeks or 8 weeks, I just wished they gave a consistent line on HOW long it is meant to take.

Sorry you ran into a brain-dead SSA employee.

I suggest you go elsewhere, to a different SSA office.

Bring yer passport - it should have the I-551 stamp in it, that you got at POE.

Tell the worker to look you up in the SAVE database.

Good Luck !

[paul. 0]

I went to mine the day after arriving and told them I was waiting on my SS to arrive. From what I recall, she had the card re-routed to that office and I got a call within another week. I was working within 14 days of being here. If I'd waited for it in the mail, it would have taken a lot, lot longer and I'd have been losing out on a pay check, hence I did the old saying of "if ya want something doing right...". Good luck.

[NotworkSte 19]

Update to this thread.

I went last week to the office, 1 week after my last trip and the person at the booth took some details and did what I can only imagine is applying for the number for me. I didn't fill out the form though, he just took my address, some other details, and took a look at the visa in my passport. Then told me would take about 2 weeks.

On the other hand, USCIS sent me my pr card, arrived in the mail this morning, that was quick! I expected that one to take months.

[M.O 6]

yeah its usually 2 weeks...Good luck..

[I'm Gone 60]

yeah its usually 2 weeks...Good luck..

You must be trying to boost your message totals, since that's about all you are doing by responding to everything.

[NotworkSte 19]

OK, sorted now. I went to the social security office in Tampa this morning and they were able to print me off my number.

Lessons I learned:

- DHS and SSA obviously have little in communication

- Don't assume an automatic government process will always work

- Know the rules before you approach them. Every person I spoke to at SSA had their own view of the rules and how they worked.

Big thanks to yo, I QUIT, for your advice on this thread, it was invaluable.

[Otto 83]

For whatever reason, some folks never get it and have to go down to the SSA to apply (by form) [entire sentence]

That's not true. You only hear from the people when it didn't work. People rarely post on here when thing go right.

Obviously it does happen (so it is true).