Are all American government workers this rude?

[don_mar 18]

I've been trying to get the SSN for the past 3 weeks, spoke to multiple agents on the phone and they were all simply rude, not being helpful at all. I don't remember ever having this issue in Canada. I guess this is something I'll have to get used to?

[Crazy Cat 41,921]

To answer your question, no, all American government workers are not rude.......

Edited July 27, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

27 minutes ago, don_mar said:

I've been trying to get the SSN for the past 3 weeks, spoke to multiple agents on the phone and they were all simply rude, not being helpful at all. I don't remember ever having this issue in Canada. I guess this is something I'll have to get used to?

To honestly think ALL American government workers are rude based on multiple agents at one agency that probably have fielded the SAME questions with the same responses for months and get yelled at themselves is a bit judgmental. Although I do want to throw it out there have you ever visited the US before?! From what I've heard Americans are much different than Canadians... and after doing a bit of world travel I personally wouldn't have pegged America as being the FRIENDLIEST country..

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

SSN can’t be issued on phone, you need to come in person at a SSA offices.

Edited July 27, 2020 by NancyNguyen

[AGF 146]

I’m sorry you have had that experience! I had to fight tooth and nail to be issued an SSN myself, but I never had any bad experience at all, customer service-wise. They were all polite and helpful, albeit strict. I finally was able to get an in-person appointment, and got my SSN card in the mail after exactly a week.

[Montrealy 73]

There definitely is a difference between the US and Canada. But you’ve also pulled from the bottom of the gene pool. Though it’s nothing personal, they just have no incentive to help you. They’re fine no matter how they perform, welcome to government. 

[don_mar 18]

16 minutes ago, AGF said:

I’m sorry you have had that experience! I had to fight tooth and nail to be issued an SSN myself, but I never had any bad experience at all, customer service-wise. They were all polite and helpful, albeit strict. I finally was able to get an in-person appointment, and got my SSN card in the mail after exactly a week.

Thanks for the encouragement! I’m still trying to get an appointment. They say they might call me if I qualify, but no call after 2 weeks. I’m doing job interviews and I will need the SSN to get paid if I’m offered a job.

[AGF 146]

1 hour ago, don_mar said:

Thanks for the encouragement! I’m still trying to get an appointment. They say they might call me if I qualify, but no call after 2 weeks. I’m doing job interviews and I will need the SSN to get paid if I’m offered a job.

My reasoning was pretty straightforward: 1. I told them I cannot risk sending all my ID’s and walk around without proper identification ( cause they were insistent on sending original documents which I understand)

2. I had to explain to them that my husband’s health and life insurance were asking us for my SSN to be enrolled. This is very reasonable, given the pandemic and all that’s going on

3. I told them that my husband’s bank was asking for my SSN for me to be added to his bank account, which we badly need to commingle our finances in preparation for the AOS interview

 

* ** they had answers to all of this concerns, and I just wouldn’t take no for an answer. I was persistent but very polite.. I alluded to their pride in making sure that they follow all protocols, but I had to do what I had to do. In the end, a supervisor granted me an in-person appointment, processed my details in about 15 minutes, got my SSN card after a week.

 
Try and follow up at least twice a week, make sure you let them see that you are in dire need of an in-person appointment!  I hope it all works out well for you 😊 good luck !

Edited July 27, 2020 by AGF