APRIL 2020 AOS FILERS

[YvetteS 178]

1 minute ago, PatSquared said:

Yes! If SSA submitted a manual verification request, you can check updates on your case here: https://www.uscis.gov/save/save-casecheck

 

You should be able to find your case by inputting your Passport or I-94 number.

 

My husband has thankfully been able to get by without an SSN so far and we were able to submit our evidence for our AOS packet without it. I’ve read many posts from people who were able to get health insurance and who insist that it is not a requirement for coverage here. I know that each company operates differently, but I hope you’re able to find a good option or alternative for the time being.

 

Everything about this process is so mind-boggling and had only been made worse by this pandemic. Regardless, I know we’ll make it to other side eventually.

It's true there are usually ways to get around things without a SSN, but having it makes things so much easier. 

Another reason I ended up needing one is because I wanted to sit a real estate course while I wait for EAD to come through, but unfortunately they will not let me sit the state exam without a SSN.

[PatSquared 57]

4 minutes ago, YvetteS said:

It's true there are usually ways to get around things without a SSN, but having it makes things so much easier. 

Another reason I ended up needing one is because I wanted to sit a real estate course while I wait for EAD to come through, but unfortunately they will not let me sit the state exam without a SSN.

Hopefully, by the end of today that won’t be an issue for you anymore! *fingers crossed*

[Dutch_lee 13]

22 hours ago, PatSquared said:

Also, I assume there may be some folks here who have been wanting to apply for their SSN and haven't been able to do so due to the COVID-related office closures, so just wanted to share my husband's recent experience.

 

We read a post here on VJ written by someone who managed to secure a face-to-face appointment at their local SSA office by calling that office directly and explaining why they needed to apply for their SSN now. I believe they needed an SSN because the USC spouse needed it for their stimulus check (not really sure about the details anymore). Their office determined that this was a "dire need" and allowed them to come in for an appointment.

 

My husband arrived in the US on March 16 (the day before all of the SSA offices closed), so his I-94 is expiring in about a month (June 12). We knew that if we didn't apply soon, he would have to wait until his EAD arrives to get his number. We decided to try our luck and contact an SSA office that had a direct number listed (many offices only have the national hotline listed). We decided to go for the office where I applied for my new SSN card after I got naturalized years ago because I had a really good experience there, and they thankfully had their own number listed!

 

He was put in touch with that office's field manager, who then asked him a bunch of questions regarding his immigration status as well as questions that would help her determine if he had a dire need. She explained that she would normally only grant a face-to-face appointment to someone who had a pending job offer, etc... but when my husband explained that he was self-employed back in his home country and was hoping to establish an LLC here, that was something she started to consider. She ultimately called back and set up a face-to-face appointment for him. He went to the office this morning and had a really pleasant experience!

 

When he showed up for his appointment, he was escorted inside by a guard and the field manager who spoke to him over the phone was the same person who processed him. She managed to find him in their system, but said that there was some sort of "mismatch" that was popping up. My husband asked her to clarify, but she said that she wasn't so sure what was causing the mismatch herself. She sent off a manual verification request and gave my husband a letter acknowledging that he had applied for an SSN on this day but they needed to verify the documents he gave. She told him that no further action was needed on his part and that his SSN card should arrive in 10 business days.

 

The letter, however, said that this verification process may take up to 4 weeks. I've read about people's experiences with manual verification here and know that it can sometimes take just a matter of days or it can take much longer than the estimated 4 weeks. We checked his case status on the online SAVE system this afternoon and it already had an update saying "Case Returned to Agency." The description stated "SAVE has returned your case to Maryland - Social Security Administration, SSA (Single Signon) (WS37)." We're hoping this a good sign that means DHS verified everything and SSA can now move forward with processing his number. We will call our local office to check tomorrow. *fingers crossed*

 

We're hoping that it gets processed soon and that he *is* able to receive the card within two weeks... before the I-94 expires.

 

Just thought I'd share that this option existed! Getting a face-to-face appointment is really up to your local field office manager's descretion. There's a good chance that they may not consider the needs you present to be dire enough, but contacting them may still be worth a shot.

I have similar experience with yours. Arrived US on February 10th with k1 visa & went for social security application on February 24th but I-94 could not be verified whereby it has to go through manual verification. 

Till date, I’m yet to receive my SSN but the man handling my case told me, since my I-94 is now expired, SSN will be issued with EAD. So I’m presently waiting patiently.

[PatSquared 57]

6 minutes ago, Dutch_lee said:

I have similar experience with yours. Arrived US on February 10th with k1 visa & went for social security application on February 24th but I-94 could not be verified whereby it has to go through manual verification. 

Till date, I’m yet to receive my SSN but the man handling my case told me, since my I-94 is now expired, SSN will be issued with EAD. So I’m presently waiting patiently.

Sorry to hear about that @Dutch_lee! The system is really frustrating. I’m sorry you have to wait longer than anticipated. I’m really hoping that everything is verified and that the card is issued before my husband’s I-94 expires as well.

 

If all else fails, at least it’s not the end of the road and we have the option to try again once the EAD’s come in. Hope to the rest of your AOS process goes smoothly!

[Dutch_lee 13]

8 minutes ago, PatSquared said:

Sorry to hear about that @Dutch_lee! The system is really frustrating. I’m sorry you have to wait longer than anticipated. I’m really hoping that everything is verified and that the card is issued before my husband’s I-94 expires as well.

 

If all else fails, at least it’s not the end of the road and we have the option to try again once the EAD’s come in. Hope to the rest of your AOS process goes smoothly!

Thanks for the concern.

We submitted my AOS package on April 16th and NOA1 text was received on April 22nd. However, we couldn’t add sufficient evidence such as Joint account, Insurance etc to my application due to SSN not available. All we could add as evidence to our marriage was photos & letters written by witnesses. We are hoping those evidences will suffice without an RFE.

 

[StephUSA 11]

Hi All - Hope you're safe and well!

 

Someone posted a screenshot of a batch of applications from April getting RFEs. This reminded me to lookup our case numbers, and sure enough, we're one of them. While waiting for the RFE to arrive, I've been pouring through this thread trying to find what other folks got them for. In case you're curious like me, I'm posting to say we received it in the mail today, and they're missing a copy of the applicant birth certificate. We hired a lawyer to prepare our application, and I can't imagine it was left out. But, we'll send in again and hope for the best. We actually have two copies - one issued in 1990 and the other in 2019. I'm tempted to send copies of both in. Thoughts?

 

Thanks everyone for your posts. They're super helpful.

[Dutch_lee 13]

5 minutes ago, StephUSA said:

Hi All - Hope you're safe and well!

 

Someone posted a screenshot of a batch of applications from April getting RFEs. This reminded me to lookup our case numbers, and sure enough, we're one of them. While waiting for the RFE to arrive, I've been pouring through this thread trying to find what other folks got them for. In case you're curious like me, I'm posting to say we received it in the mail today, and they're missing a copy of the applicant birth certificate. We hired a lawyer to prepare our application, and I can't imagine it was left out. But, we'll send in again and hope for the best. We actually have two copies - one issued in 1990 and the other in 2019. I'm tempted to send copies of both in. Thoughts?

 

Thanks everyone for your posts. They're super helpful.

I strongly believe everyone could fill in the application 100% without hiring a lawyer. Those lawyers makes lots of mistakes most times even after paying the requested fee.

 

However, in regards to your RFE; their is no harm if you send the two copies. 

[Rich1974 19]

8 minutes ago, Dutch_lee said:

I strongly believe everyone could fill in the application 100% without hiring a lawyer. Those lawyers makes lots of mistakes most times even after paying the requested fee.

 

However, in regards to your RFE; their is no harm if you send the two copies. 

I agree with @dutch_lee, I can’t believe the amount of RFE’s on here and it seems that a lot of them are of crazy mistakes made by immigration attorney’s.... it’s definitely food for thought when preparing your documents, I think when we send them in ourselves there’s so much more thought and personal passion goes into getting it as correct and presentable as possible due to the nature of what it is....

[YvetteS 178]

3 hours ago, PatSquared said:

@YvetteS, this is amazing news! I’m so glad that you persisted!

 

Really hoping that it will be an easy process for you and that you’re able to leave the office with a number on-hand without any need for further manual verification. Please keep us posted!

Great news.

Although I did not walk out with a number in hand, I had a very pleasant experience at the social security office. The lady photocopied all my documents and she said if all goes well I will have my card in the mail in 2-4 weeks. She mentioned that if for any reason they require more documents she will contact me. 

There was no issue getting it issued in my married name either, all I provided was my marriage certificate. 

She also mentioned that the card I will be issued will be a 'not authorised to work' card and that I will have to come back into the office when my EAD is approved. 

[YvetteS 178]

52 minutes ago, Dutch_lee said:

I strongly believe everyone could fill in the application 100% without hiring a lawyer. Those lawyers makes lots of mistakes most times even after paying the requested fee.

 

However, in regards to your RFE; their is no harm if you send the two copies. 

I agree that everyone could fill out the form without a lawyer, but I definitely could not have done it without VisaJourney. This site has been the most helpful resource for me, that's why I try help others where I can 🧡

[eddie90 31]

On 5/12/2020 at 12:28 AM, eddie90 said:

 our package (i-485)  was sent to lockbox facility on 9 April and received it on 13 April. I called Uscis helpline today, and the representative told me that our case was received at the centre on 01 May. 

Finally received our NOA after a month 😅. We applied i485 with 2021 expiry date version. Also didnt receive any e-notification.

[Linnn 108]

14 minutes ago, YvetteS said:

Great news.

Although I did not walk out with a number in hand, I had a very pleasant experience at the social security office. The lady photocopied all my documents and she said if all goes well I will have my card in the mail in 2-4 weeks. She mentioned that if for any reason they require more documents she will contact me. 

There was no issue getting it issued in my married name either, all I provided was my marriage certificate. 

She also mentioned that the card I will be issued will be a 'not authorised to work' card and that I will have to come back into the office when my EAD is approved. 

That's amazing! I'm really happy for you.

My I-94 unfortunately is expired now, so I'm not sure if it will work. What documents did you have to provide ?

7 minutes ago, eddie90 said:

Finally received our NOA after a month 😅. We applied i485 with 2021 expiry date version. Also didnt receive any e-notification.

Congrats!! 

[YvetteS 178]

7 minutes ago, eddie90 said:

Finally received our NOA after a month 😅. We applied i485 with 2021 expiry date version. Also didnt receive any e-notification.

Yay! Congrats!!

[PatSquared 57]

17 minutes ago, YvetteS said:

Great news.

Although I did not walk out with a number in hand, I had a very pleasant experience at the social security office. The lady photocopied all my documents and she said if all goes well I will have my card in the mail in 2-4 weeks. She mentioned that if for any reason they require more documents she will contact me. 

There was no issue getting it issued in my married name either, all I provided was my marriage certificate. 

She also mentioned that the card I will be issued will be a 'not authorised to work' card and that I will have to come back into the office when my EAD is approved. 

Your experience was almost identical to my husband’s experience! Very pleasant.

 

He also did not walk out with a number, but the office manager processing him told him that she already sent off a verification request, photocopied his documents, and told him that he should receive the card in 10 business days if all goes well.

 

Did the SSA employee mention the reason why she couldn’t issue your number? In my husband’s case, the manager found him in their system but there was some sort of “mismatch” that prevented her from completing the process, so she had to send his case off for manual verification.

[YvetteS 178]

6 minutes ago, Buma said:

That's amazing! I'm really happy for you.

My I-94 unfortunately is expired now, so I'm not sure if it will work. What documents did you have to provide ?

Congrats!! 

Thank you Buma! 

I just gave her EVERYTHING I had and she was happy to photocopy everything. She said, the more the better even if it's not required haha! This is what I have her:

- Passport 

- Birth certificate

- Marriage Certificate

- Drivers licence (Australian)

- I-94

- I-797 approval notice for K1

- Forms I-797C for I-485, I-765 & I-131 (These were the only other documents I had in my married name that's why I provided them)