Have everything but Social Security #

[suitcasemonkey 0]

First off, I want to thank everyone who posts and provides information to this site. We were able to get through 95% of the immigration process by the book thanks to the guidance found here.

My wife and I have been living together in the USA via her CR-1 Visa for about 3 weeks now and have yet to recieve her social security card. We contacted the Social Security office and were basically told 'Her name is in the system but no number has been assigned.. this can take up to 3 months.. keep calling back and trying every 2 days.'

This shocked us, as we have been led to believe by several peoples exeriences that the process takes 3 weeks. In any case, there's another element to this equasion that is bothering me. My wife had a prior social security number when she was an exchange student - we used that number on the DS-230 application. Would that have any affect on the social security administration sending out a new card?

We intend to go to the social security office in a few weeks (she's back in Japan right now finalizing things), but are growing very skeptical about the social security office following through. Should we just sit back and wait, or is a visit to the social security office a must in our circumstance.

One more thing - she immigrated via the DCF process at the US Embassy in Tokyo - she was provided documentation saying 'you will be mailed a social security card within 3 weeks to the address in your application, the USICS officer will provide the information needed to the SS administartion and other parties.. etc..' Basically, we were told to sit back and wait - a card was on the way..

Any thoughts or advice are greatly appreciated.

-Cheers

-Marschal

Edited March 24, 2006 by suitcasemonkey

[I'm Gone 60]

My wife and I have been living together in the USA via her CR-1 Visa for about 3 weeks now and have yet to recieve her social security card. We contacted the Social Security office and were basically told 'Her name is in the system but no number has been assigned.. this can take up to 3 months.. keep calling back and trying every 2 days.'

This shocked us, as we have been led to believe by several peoples exeriences that the process takes 3 weeks. In any case, there's another element to this equasion that is bothering me. My wife had a prior social security number when she was an exchange student - we used that number on the DS-230 application. Would that have any affect on the social security administration sending out a new card?

We intend to go to the social security office in a few weeks (she's back in Japan right now finalizing things), but are growing very skeptical about the social security office following through. Should we just sit back and wait, or is a visit to the social security office a must in our circumstance.

If the DS-230 process worked she should have been issued a replacement card within three weeks. She probably will to need to submit an SSN application, but won't really know until she goes into an SSA office.

She can be in the system, i.e. verfies through SAVE and still not have been issued a card. SAVE is SSA tapping into DHS info. The SSN application info might not have transmitted from DOS or DHS.

RM 00202.315 Enumeration At Entry

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

Answer "Yes" to Questions 33a. and 33b.on Form DS-230

You will then need to allow at least 3 weeks to see if the Enumeration At Entry process works. If you don't receive your SSN card within 3 weeks it's time to head on down to your friendly neighborhood SSA office.

Find office:

http://www.ssa.gov/locator

Since she already has an SSN take proof of identity and work authorized alien status. Passport and I-551 card or MRIV with temporary I-551 language.

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410

RM 00203.410 Evidence of Alien Status for an SSN Card for an Alien

Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence

B. KINDS OF EVIDENCE ESTABLISHING LAPR STATUS

-- I-551, Permanent Resident Card

-- Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with Temporary I-551 Language

Note: The MRIV shows the alien's identification number ("A" number) as

the "Registration Number" in the upper right-hand corner of the MRIV.

If she applies in the SSA office for a replacement card the SSA office will try to verify your status through the SAVE system while your are in the office. If they can't, they will send a form G-845 to immigration for manual verification. This could delay the assigning of an SSN and/or issuing a card for weeks and some times months.

If the SSA office does send the G-845, suggest that she go back to the SSA office every couple weeks with your documents to (1) ask them to check SAVE again (2) ask if they sent a G-845 (3) if yes, did it come

back (4) after 30 days ask if they have followed up on the G-845 by calling or sending another mark "second request."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203720

RM 00203.720 Verifying Immigration Documents

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203735

RM 00203.735 Requesting Online (Primary) Verification By SAVE

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After having waited at least 30 days and your local SSA office doesn't seem too concerned about following up or even sending a G-845 you can try contacting the SSA Regional Office (RO) responsible for your state:

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/natlpocontacts.html

Refer them to this:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203740

RM 00203.740 Requesting Additional (Manual) Verification By DHS

B. PROCEDURE – HOW TO REQUEST MANUAL VERIFICATION

STEP 6

DHS should respond to SSA within 15 federal work days after receiving the Form G-845. If DHS does not respond within 15 federal work days from the receipt of the G-845 from SSA, follow-up with the DHS, USCIS

Immigration Status office. (Allow 15 days plus five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS.

Follow local practice to follow-up with DHS. Some SSA offices have an arrangement with the DHS, USCIS office to telephone for the follow-up contact; other SSA offices send a copy of the original G-845 annotated

“second request.”) If the DHS response is still not received within 15 federal work days after the follow-up contact (if the follow-up is by mail allow five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845

to be received at and returned from DHS), make a second follow-up contact. If the DHS response is not received within 15 federal workdays (again, if the follow-up is by mail, allow five additional federal work

days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS), after two follow-ups, contact the RO. Also report to the RO any trend that shows a serious deviation by DHS from the above time frames.

The RO will consult with central office.

[MrsBeer:30 0]

I also checked yes but I wasnt in the system. ended up going to the SS office and had my number within days.

If I were you and you need the SS # fairly quickly I'd go in there and apply in person.

[sanctifyer 1]

I also checked yes but I wasnt in the system. ended up going to the SS office and had my number within days.

If I were you and you need the SS # fairly quickly I'd go in there and apply in person.

Hey stranger! long time no see

I opted NOT to automatically receive a SSN on my DS-230 pt II.

I prefer to enter the US and apply myself at my local SS Office.

So much simpler and quicker.

sanc

[SOlcayto 0]

On Monday my husband will have been here for two months and he still hasn't gotten his social security card. We were calling the 1-800 number and sometimes they would tell us and sometimes they wouldn't if he was in the system yet or not. We were thinking this whole time that you couldn't go to the local office, that it was pointless, if you weren't in the system. The last we heard from the SSA 1-800 number was that he was not. Is it correct that he can go whether or not he is in the system and get his number and card from the local office? He already got his green card a month ago.

I swear to God, this whole process is so fcuked up!

SOL

[the big dog 0]

My wife arrived here on Sunday March 12th (POE: Fort Lauderdale, Florida) . On Monday the 13th we went to the SS office to submit her application. She received her SS card in the mail on the 20th. I also checked the box on the DS-230II that I wanted her to receive her SS card in the mail but after hearing all the horror stories of waiting for months I decided just go and apply for it in person.

[one_coolchiq 0]

I suggest apply for it in person at your local SSA office. goodluck!

[I'm Gone 60]

On Monday my husband will have been here for two months and he still hasn't gotten his social security card. We were calling the 1-800 number and sometimes they would tell us and sometimes they wouldn't if he was in the system yet or not. We were thinking this whole time that you couldn't go to the local office, that it was pointless, if you weren't in the system. The last we heard from the SSA 1-800 number was that he was not. Is it correct that he can go whether or not he is in the system and get his number and card from the local office? He already got his green card a month ago.

Don't believe anything the SSA 800# people tell about something like this. Bottom line if you check off on the DS-230 when applying for an immigrant visa (all K visas are nonimmigrant) and you don't receive your SSN card within three weeks after arriving you need to go into an SSA office to see what's going on.

[road2kros 0]

I too have not receive my ss#. If you personally apply for an ss# what are the requirements that they will look for? I don't have my green card either. Any infos please? Thanks.

JR

[I'm Gone 60]

I too have not receive my ss#. If you personally apply for an ss# what are the requirements that they will look for? I don't have my green card either.

RM 00202.315 Enumeration At Entry

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

Answer "Yes" to Questions 33a. and 33b.on Form DS-230

You will then need to allow at least 3 weeks to see if the Enumeration At Entry process works. If you don't receive your SSN card within 3 weeks it's time to head on down to your friendly neighborhood SSA office.

Find office:

http://www.ssa.gov/locator

If you have been assigned an SSN the office can provide you with the

number. However, it is has been over 14 days from the day the SSN was

assigned and you haven't received the card you will probably need to

apply for a replacement card.

Take proof of age, identity and work authorized alien status. Proof of age is not needed for a replacement card.

Birth certificate and I-551 card or MRIV with temporary I-551 language with passport should be enough to take into the SSA office.

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203410

RM 00203.410 Evidence of Alien Status for an SSN Card for an Alien

Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence

B. KINDS OF EVIDENCE ESTABLISHING LAPR STATUS

-- I-551, Permanent Resident Card

-- Machine Readable Immigrant Visa with Temporary I-551 Language

Note: The MRIV shows the alien's identification number ("A" number) as

the "Registration Number" in the upper right-hand corner of the MRIV.

If you apply in the SSA office for an original SSN or replacement card

the SSA office will try to verify your status through the SAVE system

while your are in the office. If they can't, they will send a form G-845

to immigration for manual verification.

If the SSA office does send the G-845, I suggest that you go back to the

SSA office every couple weeks with your documents to (1) ask them to

check SAVE again (2) ask if they sent a G-845 (3) if yes, did it come

back (4) after 30 days ask if they have followed up on the G-845 by

calling or sending another mark "second request."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203720

RM 00203.720 Verifying Immigration Documents

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203735

RM 00203.735 Requesting Online (Primary) Verification By SAVE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

After having waited at least 30 days and your local SSA office doesn't seem too concerned about following up on thr G-845 you can try contacting the SSA Regional Office (RO) responsible for your state:

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/natlpocontacts.html

Refer them to this:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203740

RM 00203.740 Requesting Additional (Manual) Verification By DHS

B. PROCEDURE – HOW TO REQUEST MANUAL VERIFICATION

STEP 6

DHS should respond to SSA within 15 federal work days after receiving

the Form G-845. If DHS does not respond within 15 federal work days from

the receipt of the G-845 from SSA, follow-up with the DHS, USCIS

Immigration Status office. (Allow 15 days plus five additional federal work days of

mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from DHS.

Follow local practice to follow-up with DHS. Some SSA offices have an

arrangement with the DHS, USCIS office to telephone for the follow-up

contact; other SSA offices send a copy of the original G-845 annotated

“second request.”) If the DHS response is still not received within 15

federal work days after the follow-up contact (if the follow-up is by

mail allow five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845

to be received at and returned from DHS), make a second follow-up

contact. If the DHS response is not received within 15 federal workdays

(again, if the follow-up is by mail, allow five additional federal work

days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from

DHS), after two follow-ups, contact the RO. Also report to the RO any

trend that shows a serious deviation by DHS from the above time frames.

The RO will consult with central office.

[meauxna 15]

You will then need to allow at least 3 weeks to see if the Enumeration At Entry process works. If you don't receive your SSN card within 3 weeks it's time to head on down to your friendly neighborhood SSA office.

Thanks, mdyoung!