Have SSN but they won't issue card

[Moofy 1]

My wife arrived here on her K-1 and we were married within the 90-day period. Before we were married, we went to the Social Security Office to apply for her SSN. All was fine. They said we'd have it in 2-3 weeks.

 

It never arrived. A month later, I called; the main office "didn't know" where it was. I asked if they could send it again and they said we could apply for a replacement. We did that (via mail). Another month. Nothing. I called the local office here and they said we couldn't mail anything for a replacement and we had to come in again. We went in about 3 weeks ago. They gave us her SSN (but not the card) and said the original card (mailing) was "destroyed" (e.g. they mailed it) because it was "returned". Makes no sense given her name is on our mailbox and we know the mailman and he was looking for it (thus it never arrived).

 

They told us a new card would be on the way.

 

We just received a letter yesterday saying a card would not be sent because "Your legal immigration status and/or document(s) will expire before an SSN card can be issued to you."

 

*facepalm*

 

We've already submitted the documents and begun the process for her Green Card and Work Authorization.

 

So... they gave us her SSN number and claim a card was already sent but returned (which means it was issued just fine it was just never delivered) and then told us it would be sent again and now we're being told it will not.

 

Any recommendations on how to deal with this government-issued special kind of stupid?

[Cryssiekins 976]

Omg, I feel you.  

 

The SSN was a complete and total nightmare for me.  A very similar situation happened for me too. 

 

Unfortunately, you have to wait for an EAD or green card to get it done. 

 

Write the number down somewhere bc they will just update that number once there is a legal "status".  It's so stupid that you have to wait bc K1's waiting between expiry of i94 and issuance of PR are in a protected authorized stay.  It's just one of the oversights I guess. 

 

Once an EAD or green card comes in, go back and explain what happened.  You're likely in for another headache at that visit, but eventually it'll get sorted out.  

 

A true test of human patience limits. 

[Dutchster 1,107]

What happened most likely is that the I-94 expires in two weeks or less. Around that point the do not issue federal documents like that, so it seems like you guys went in 'too late' to get a SSN.
Your wife has to wait until she has her EAD and go back to get the card, it shouldn't be an issue then.

Edited April 14, 2017 by Dutchster

[Moofy 1]

But she's already been issued the SSN and they already sent a card, claiming it was returned, so technically they are denying a replacement card based on her K-1 being expired.

 

None of that makes sense...

[Cryssiekins 976]

3 minutes ago, Moofy said:

But she's already been issued the SSN and they already sent a card, claiming it was returned, so technically they are denying a replacement card based on her K-1 being expired.

 

None of that makes sense...

No, it doesn't.  It's an oversight in their process.  

 

From what I understand when I asked 700 million questions issuance of a replacement card or making any changes is treated as applying for a brand new card (again, zero sense in that "logic") so that's why they default to the status. 

 

It's unbelievably frustrating.  

 

It took every ounce of my patience to not lose my cool with the various number of people I spoke with when trying to resolve my issues. 

 

I had mentioned to one person that I could see on the SAVE case check that the status was complete meaning it had been returned to SSA from DHS and then I had to listen to her inquire how I had access to that. 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 hour ago, Cryssiekins said:

No, it doesn't.  It's an oversight in their process.  

 

From what I understand when I asked 700 million questions issuance of a replacement card or making any changes is treated as applying for a brand new card (again, zero sense in that "logic") so that's why they default to the status. 

 

It's unbelievably frustrating.  

 

It took every ounce of my patience to not lose my cool with the various number of people I spoke with when trying to resolve my issues. 

 

I had mentioned to one person that I could see on the SAVE case check that the status was complete meaning it had been returned to SSA from DHS and then I had to listen to her inquire how I had access to that. 

This is exactly right unfortunately. It doesn't matter that it's a replacement card. Any card being issued needs to be verified against SAVE and if you don't have an immigration document that won't expire within the next 14 days they won't issue it, but at least you guys have the number. She won't be able to work before the EAD in any case, which is the only thing I can imagine you needing the actual card for. 

[Moofy 1]

So they issued the SS card/Number when we had a legit immigration document, but due to "unknown" factors it was never received; and now they won't re-issue a replacement card for a number already assigned (which we have).

 

*facepalm*

 

Thanks to everyone for your feedback; I guess we'll wait until her work permit is received and then go back in.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Thread is moved from main Working & Traveling forum to the Social Security Numbers subforum.