Turned away at social security office, told to wait 21 days

[ohman 5]

We just waited for two hours at the local social security office to get a number for my wife, only to be told we must wait 21 days to get the number. I could have sworn I read through all the information on their website, and there was no mention of this. We were told to come back, wait in that horrid, cramped line again and get it then. He said they can't take a chance on her getting two numbers, but I did not check the box to have the govt send her the card in the mail I told him. It did not seem to matter.

Oh well, live and learn. Was this guy correct though? It seems a little strange to me. Thanks.

Edited November 5, 2014 by ohman

[teddy k 35]

The guy at the office was right cuz you never checked the box on the form but he wants to make sure that you don't get 2 numbers cuz you have a lot of dumb people working at them offices

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Social Security Numbers forum.

[d3adc0d3 186]

We just waited for two hours at the local social security office to get a number for my wife, only to be told we must wait 21 days to get the number. I could have sworn I read through all the information on their website, and there was no mention of this. We were told to come back, wait in that horrid, cramped line again and get it then. He said they can't take a chance on her getting two numbers, but I did not check the box to have the govt send her the card in the mail I told him. It did not seem to matter.

Oh well, live and learn. Was this guy correct though? It seems a little strange to me. Thanks.

We need to know what visa you applied for, when your wife's POE was, etc.

There are processes for the application for a SSN via the K1 or CR1/IR1 visas which are different.

If your wife is a K1 visa holder than the SSA agent was completely incorrect, and you need to get her SSN settled no less than 3 weeks before her I-94 expires. or you'll have to wait until she gets her EAD. If your wife is a CR1/IR1 visa holder, than she should have her SSC arrive in the mail shortly after arrival, if you checked the box; you said you did not, so applying is how you handle that and the SSA agent was, again, incorrect.

Edited November 5, 2014 by d3adc0d3

[ohman 5]

We need to know what visa you applied for, when your wife's POE was, etc.

There are processes for the application for a SSN via the K1 or CR1/IR1 visas which are different.

If your wife is a K1 visa holder than the SSA agent was completely incorrect, and you need to get her SSN settled no less than 3 weeks before her I-94 expires. or you'll have to wait until she gets her EAD. If your wife is a CR1/IR1 visa holder, than she should have her SSC arrive in the mail shortly after arrival, if you checked the box; you said you did not, so applying is how you handle that and the SSA agent was, again, incorrect.

She is on a cr1. We arrived in the usa two weeks ago. When I posted this I thought it was a cr1 section, sorry if I missed something.

So I agree with you it seems he was wrong IMO, but I'm not sure it helps me to know that, haha. The real bummer was really that we weren't given some sort of free pass to skip that line for next time. We essentially waited two hours for a guy to be wrong,a maybe, and for him to tell us come back in a week. I guess it is always about a two hour line. Why would coming back preclude her from getting two number anyway? Couldn't the card be lost in the mail, or somehow never received.

Edited November 5, 2014 by ohman

[d3adc0d3 186]

I don't have experience with a CR1 visa holder needing to apply for a SSN. Perhaps @Darnell can help.

I do know that it's less of a rush since your wife is a GC holder.

I'm guessing the SSA agent wants to be sure that your wife doesn't double dip on SSN applications and is under the impression she may automatically get assigned a SSN despite not checking that box.

Edited November 5, 2014 by d3adc0d3

[ohman 5]

I don't have experience with a CR1 visa holder needing to apply for a SSN. Perhaps @Darnell can help.

I do know that it's less of a rush since your wife is a GC holder.

I'm guessing the SSA agent wants to be sure that your wife doesn't double dip on SSN applications and is under the impression she may automatically get assigned a SSN despite not checking that box.

Yes, this is exactly what he said. I honestly just wish they would have given me a free pass for the line for next time. Edited November 10, 2014 by ohman

[weight39doug 0]

I had read that checking the box on the DS-260 does not work very often so I went to the SSA 6 working days after I entered the US. After waiting for a couple of hours I was told that I had to wait a month before coming back because they did not want me getting 2 cards. The lady was very nice and apologized for me having to wait so long without me even mentioning it. I know that the month timeframe is not correct so I am going to go back on Nov 25th and try again because at that time the 3 weeks will have passed. Luckily my new bank gave me a business and personal account without requiring a SSN.

I still want to get the card quickly so I can get on my wife's health care plan and get a drivers license.

Edited November 15, 2014 by weight39doug