what's taking so long for SSA to issue my social security card??

[kkrxo 2]

When I was a kid, my mom gave me a social security number to use... when I turned 16, my dad gave me the social security card so I could work.... A few years ago, while working for an insurance co., my employer told me a few months later that they couldn't verify my social security number thru SSA and told me to go into the SSA office to clear it up. I told my brother about it and he told me NOT to go because our dad had given me a fake social security card. (He gave my older brothers fake cards too...) So I destroyed the card and never used the number again because I figured the number was fake too... (I can't ask my dad whether it was a real or fake number because I have no way of contacting him. He's MIA)

Recently I applied for a social security number (almost 4 week ago). I went to the SSA office about 10 minutes before they closed so the lady that was helping me was kind of rushing. The lady put my information in the computer and kind of looked at me weird... and then asked me "do you agree that you filled this application out to the best of your knowledge and that any false information is considered perjury" i was like.. "yes"... that made me extremely nervous that she asked that... and she got up, made copies of my documents and told me that I should get my card in the mail within 4 weeks. I then told her about what happened with my last employer. I told her that my mom gave me a social security number to memorize and I had been using it for years, and then I told her about the fake card.. etc. (the whole situation that I said in the beginning of this) I asked her if there was any way she could look up the number on her computer and see if it was real so I could just apply for a replacement card... and all she said was "if it is your number and it was assigned to you, then that's your number forever and you will get a card with that number. But if it's not a real number then you'll get a new number" and then I just left because it was obvious she was in a hurry (there was one more person behind me).

One more thing I'd like to add.... before I applied for the social security card a few weeks ago, I asked my mother-in-law if there was a way I could see if the number was real and she told me to go to the SSA website and try to request a Social Security Statement to be sent to me since I had been working under that number and had filed taxes using the number... and if it goes through, then it's most likely a real number. I did that, and it did go through, it said that I should get my statement in 2 weeks (i think) but I still haven't gotten the statement in the mail so I don't know what happened with that.... that was weeks ago.

Anyways, I have been worried about this for weeks because I haven't heard anything and it will be 4 weeks on friday. Should I go back to the SSA office and talk to a supervisor? Or should I just wait it out? Is there anyway I could just call them, or will they not give me information over the phone? Please help! I hope they don't think I lied on my application.

[nickbits 43]

Did they give you a reference # when you applied? If so, go back and check on the status.

I wouldn't worry until 6 weeks have passed.

I am assuming you have legal status in the US. If not I have no idea.

Edited December 20, 2010 by nickbits

[kkrxo 2]

Did they give you a reference # when you applied? If so, go back and check on the status.

I wouldn't worry until 6 weeks have passed.

I am assuming you have legal status in the US. If not I have no idea.

Yes. They gave me a piece of paper w/ all of that information. Should I go back and check on the status now?

I used my EAD, passport and I-94 to apply. I should have just waited until i got the Alien Registration Card because it just got approved last Thursday. I should be getting it soon.

[nickbits 43]

Yes. They gave me a piece of paper w/ all of that information. Should I go back and check on the status now?

I used my EAD, passport and I-94 to apply. I should have just waited until i got the Alien Registration Card because it just got approved last Thursday. I should be getting it soon.

I would go back to the same office and see what they say.

[I'm Gone 60]

and then asked me "do you agree that you filled this application out to the best of your knowledge and that any false information is considered perjury" i was like.. "yes"... that made me extremely nervous that she asked that... and she got up, made copies of my documents and told me that I should get my card in the mail within 4 weeks.

One more thing I'd like to add.... before I applied for the social security card a few weeks ago, I asked my mother-in-law if there was a way I could see if the number was real and she told me to go to the SSA website and try to request a Social Security Statement to be sent to me since I had been working under that number and had filed taxes using the number... and if it goes through, then it's most likely a real number. I did that, and it did go through, it said that I should get my statement in 2 weeks (i think) but I still haven't gotten the statement in the mail so I don't know what happened with that.... that was weeks ago.

Since, with the new system that SSA uses to process SSN applications, no actual form is used or signature is needed, that is what they ask to input the electronic signature. They made a copy of your documents for verification purposes. So nothing out of the ordinary there.

If you were able to request a Social Security Statement online with the SSN and using your date and place of birth and mother's maiden name, I'm 99.9999 percent sure you have an SSN record. One thing you could try is calling the SSA 800# 1-800-772-1213 and give them the SSN tell them you need to know the date your SSN was assigned (the CYD date). Give them some story of needing it for some type of insurance. They will ask for the same info you provided for the Social Security Statement. If they give you the CYD date, you do have an SSN.

Other than getting your immigration status verified, here is where you might have a problem. If you didn't list the SSN on the application and it is really your number, when your immigration status verifies and they try to clear the application they will get an enumeration alert, because you are applying for an original SSN and the info you put on the application matches an SSN record. That will have to be cleared up. Easy to correct when you prove the SSN is yours and you didn't know your parent's had applied for a number for you. The hard thing is getting the office to take the time to get things straightened out.

What status did you apply based on? If you applied as a K-1 I wouldn't hold my breath on getting the SSN card. More than likely your status will expire before you get this corrected. Then you will need an EAD card or I-551 stamp or card to be issued a replacement card. In the meantime, you can ask for an SSN Verification Printout. Not the same as having an SSN card, but will be some proof until you can be issued an SSN card.

Edited December 21, 2010 by I Quit

[kkrxo 2]

Since, with the new system that SSA uses to process SSN applications, no actual form is used or signature is needed, that is what they ask to input the electronic signature. They made a copy of your documents for verification purposes. So nothing out of the ordinary there.

If you were able to request a Social Security Statement online with the SSN and using your date and place of birth and mother's maiden name, I'm 99.9999 percent sure you have an SSN record. One thing you could try is calling the SSA 800# 1-800-772-1213 and give them the SSN tell them you need to know the date your SSN was assigned (the CYD date). Give them some story of needing it for some type of insurance. They will ask for the same info you provided for the Social Security Statement. If they give you the CYD date, you do have an SSN.

Other than getting your immigration status verified, here is where you might have a problem. If you didn't list the SSN on the application and it is really your number, when your immigration status verifies and they try to clear the application they will get an enumeration alert, because you are applying for an original SSN and the info you put on the application matches an SSN record. That will have to be cleared up. Easy to correct when you prove the SSN is yours and you didn't know your parent's had applied for a number for you. The hard thing is getting the office to take the time to get things straightened out.

What status did you apply based on? If you applied as a K-1 I wouldn't hold my breath on getting the SSN card. More than likely your status will expire before you get this corrected. Then you will need an EAD card or I-551 stamp or card to be issued a replacement card. In the meantime, you can ask for an SSN Verification Printout. Not the same as having an SSN card, but will be some proof until you can be issued an SSN card.

Wow, thanks for that information! Do you work for SSA?? You just gave me a lot of useful and specific information up there lol What do you mean by what status did I apply based on? I came to the U.S. when I was 1 years old under a b1/b2 visa w/ my mom. My husband's petition and my adjustment of status application just got approved last Thursday, and when I applied for my social security number a few weeks ago, I used my I-94, passport and EAD. I have to go back soon anyway once I get the alien registration card to show SSA that...

When I applied for the social security number, she actually made me fill out a form and sign it... is that something different or do they just use that as reference to look at while they're typing in the information on their computer? Should I go to the SSA office ASAP or after the 4 weeks? And will I get in trouble do you think???

What is an enumeration alert? That sounds serious..

[Armenia 18]

What Visa were you using

- to stay in the USA?

- when you got married?

- when you applied for Adjustment of Status?

[I'm Gone 60]

What do you mean by what status did I apply based on? I came to the U.S. when I was 1 years old under a b1/b2 visa w/ my mom. My husband's petition and my adjustment of status application just got approved last Thursday, and when I applied for my social security number a few weeks ago, I used my I-94, passport and EAD. I have to go back soon anyway once I get the alien registration card to show SSA that...

When I applied for the social security number, she actually made me fill out a form and sign it... is that something different or do they just use that as reference to look at while they're typing in the information on their computer? Should I go to the SSA office ASAP or after the 4 weeks? And will I get in trouble do you think???

What is an enumeration alert? That sounds serious..

To be assigned an SSN or issued a card you need work authorization. You have an EAD card, so that is the status/work authorization you used.

Don't know why they had you fill out an application and sign it, other than as you say, using it to enter the info into the computer.

RM 10205.175 Applicant’s Electronic Signature for an Application for an SSN Card Processed in SSNAP

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110205175

Enumeration alerts are safeguards in the system to keep people among other things from being assigned an SSN when they already have one. Nothing serious if it was just an honest mistake.

[kkrxo 2]

What Visa were you using

- to stay in the USA?

- when you got married?

- when you applied for Adjustment of Status?

My visa expired in 1994.

My permanent residency just got approved last week.