Wife denied SSN despite providing all documents requested

[Bjh 39]

Wife submitted a form SS-5 (application for SSN) as a legal alien allowed to work.

They required:

1. Evidence of age, usually with a birth certificate but also stated that "some of the other documents we may accept are:...Passport." Wife sent her Brazilian passport with photocopies of all pages of the passport through the mail to our local SSA office. She received her passport back in the mail in April, but they kept the photocopies.

2. Evidence of identity, listed are US driver's license, US state-issued ID (non-driver's license), or US passport. She isn't eligible for the first 2 in our state because she has no SSN and can't get the 3rd because she isn't a US citizen. However, she does have her permanent resident (green) card, which was issued by the US, shows her photo as well as DOB. She sent the original of this in with photocopies of the front and back. Received the original card back in the mail with her Brazilian passport but they kept the photocopies of her green card.

 

She was also informed that she needed to send in the original and photocopies of our marriage certificate since she gained permanent residence through marriage to me. We sent in the original marriage certificate and photocopy, again they sent back the original but kept the photocopy. To be thorough, we included her I-94 and arrival/departure record too, to demonstrate proof of her legal presence, but they returned those to us.

 

I spoke with a customer service person before sending the package and she told me we had more than enough for her SSN, AND that the permanent residence card, since it is issued by the US, is proof of identity for the SSA.

Wife got a rejection letter in the mail today saying that:

"We cannot issue you a SSC at this time because: you have not given us the document(s) we need to show identity."

 

W T F ?!?!?! The green card is literally the ONLY THING SHE CAN SHOW that confirms her identity because SHE CAN'T GET A STATE ID WITHOUT A SSN!!! Augh! So frustrating.

 

Has anyone encountered this kind of problem before? Do I just call them Monday and explain what they did wrong?

Edited May 7, 2021 by Bjh

[arken 4,197]

5 minutes ago, Bjh said:

 

She was also informed that she needed to send in the original and photocopies of our marriage certificate since she gained permanent residence through marriage to me. We sent in the original marriage certificate and photocopy, again they sent back the original but kept the photocopy. To be thorough, we included her I-94 and arrival/departure record too, to demonstrate proof of her legal presence, but they returned those to us.

I

Asking for that simply suggests the person in charge is an anti immigrant. I say just try another office.

[Dashinka 24,487]

Unfortunately, the SSA is really a pita.  I agree with @arken, you might want to try a different office.

[Bjh 39]

22 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Unfortunately, the SSA is really a pita.  I agree with @arken, you might want to try a different office.

I just read up on the manual SSA workers are supposed to use to assess documents to establish identity. Any immigration documents including green cards (aka form I-551) have to be verified with DHS through the SAVE system. I just checked this out, and DHS has no records of my wife including through her I-94 number, passport number, or USCIS/alien ID number. I've read that this has been a problem for immigrants trying to obtain a SSN.

 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

59 minutes ago, Bjh said:

I just read up on the manual SSA workers are supposed to use to assess documents to establish identity. Any immigration documents including green cards (aka form I-551) have to be verified with DHS through the SAVE system. I just checked this out, and DHS has no records of my wife including through her I-94 number, passport number, or USCIS/alien ID number. I've read that this has been a problem for immigrants trying to obtain a SSN.

If an immigrant does not appear in the initial verification on the SAVE system, the SSN employee should request an additional verification submitting photocopies of the applicant’s relevant immigration documents. A status verifier will conduct a manual search of immigration databases, including databases not automatically searched during the initial verification.

 

So, if you are sending all the required documents, it doesn't matter if your wife does not appear initially in the system, her SSN should be processed.

[Villanelle 4,122]

14 hours ago, Bjh said:

Wife submitted a form SS-5 (application for SSN) as a legal alien allowed to work.

They required:

1. Evidence of age, usually with a birth certificate but also stated that "some of the other documents we may accept are:...Passport." Wife sent her Brazilian passport with photocopies of all pages of the passport through the mail to our local SSA office. She received her passport back in the mail in April, but they kept the photocopies.

2. Evidence of identity, listed are US driver's license, US state-issued ID (non-driver's license), or US passport. She isn't eligible for the first 2 in our state because she has no SSN and can't get the 3rd because she isn't a US citizen. However, she does have her permanent resident (green) card, which was issued by the US, shows her photo as well as DOB. She sent the original of this in with photocopies of the front and back. Received the original card back in the mail with her Brazilian passport but they kept the photocopies of her green card.

 

She was also informed that she needed to send in the original and photocopies of our marriage certificate since she gained permanent residence through marriage to me. We sent in the original marriage certificate and photocopy, again they sent back the original but kept the photocopy. To be thorough, we included her I-94 and arrival/departure record too, to demonstrate proof of her legal presence, but they returned those to us.

 

I spoke with a customer service person before sending the package and she told me we had more than enough for her SSN, AND that the permanent residence card, since it is issued by the US, is proof of identity for the SSA.

Wife got a rejection letter in the mail today saying that:

"We cannot issue you a SSC at this time because: you have not given us the document(s) we need to show identity."

 

W T F ?!?!?! The green card is literally the ONLY THING SHE CAN SHOW that confirms her identity because SHE CAN'T GET A STATE ID WITHOUT A SSN!!! Augh! So frustrating.

 

Has anyone encountered this kind of problem before? Do I just call them Monday and explain what they did wrong?

You can attempt to call them but most likely a call is not going to fix things. You are most likely going to need to submit a new application for a SSN from scratch. The most common issue people have is related to name changes due to marriage and since your wife is the immigrant it may be that this is the issue you are having. What name did you fill out the SSN application with and what name is displayed on the GC? 

 

USCIS controls what info is shown in SAVE. The name on her GC is her name in SAVE and the ONLY name SSA will issue her a SSN in.  Does this fix your issue?

 

If not and you requested the SSN in the name on her GC then move on to checking the SAVE system- https://www.uscis.gov/save/save-casecheck There recently have been issues with people having trouble getting verified with the SAVE system and SSA. Does your case check on the link show the inquiry made by SSA? For those that were having issues the SAVE system would say they returned the info to SSA yet SSA would say they didnt get anything back. Some people were able to correct this by contacting SSA and others through contacting SAVE. It would really depend on where you are in the SAVE check process and SSN application. It seems your  SSN application was rejected so its probably easier to start a new application rather then to get SSA to reopen your denied one but if SAVE shows it as returned to agency that requested it and SSA is saying it wasnt you can attempt to speak to SSA about such. If SSA did not get a response back from SAVE because SAVE has incorrect info then the error needs to be corrected through SAVE. 

 

Honestly though I have the feeling that your rejected SSN application is due to a name issue as your wife is most likely choosing to use your surname + your profile says she is from Brazil so its also likely this issue may be related to her combining your surnames or attempting to use her previous surname as her middle name or something like that. 

 

Again USCIS controls SAVE and SSA will only issue a SSN in the name on file in SAVE. Look at her GC and determine what is in each field (first, middle, last). That is how you want to enter it on the SSN application. Anything in the wrong field will cause a name mismatch/identity issue/rejection. If her GC is not how she wants her name to be she needs to fix that with USCIS first and then the SS card will reflect such. Depending on what change needs to be made she may be able to file the i90 to change the name on the GC or might have to get a local court name change done. 

[Bjh 39]

2 hours ago, Villanelle said:

You can attempt to call them but most likely a call is not going to fix things. You are most likely going to need to submit a new application for a SSN from scratch. The most common issue people have is related to name changes due to marriage and since your wife is the immigrant it may be that this is the issue you are having. What name did you fill out the SSN application with and what name is displayed on the GC? 

 

USCIS controls what info is shown in SAVE. The name on her GC is her name in SAVE and the ONLY name SSA will issue her a SSN in.  Does this fix your issue?

 

If not and you requested the SSN in the name on her GC then move on to checking the SAVE system- https://www.uscis.gov/save/save-casecheck There recently have been issues with people having trouble getting verified with the SAVE system and SSA. Does your case check on the link show the inquiry made by SSA? For those that were having issues the SAVE system would say they returned the info to SSA yet SSA would say they didnt get anything back. Some people were able to correct this by contacting SSA and others through contacting SAVE. It would really depend on where you are in the SAVE check process and SSN application. It seems your  SSN application was rejected so its probably easier to start a new application rather then to get SSA to reopen your denied one but if SAVE shows it as returned to agency that requested it and SSA is saying it wasnt you can attempt to speak to SSA about such. If SSA did not get a response back from SAVE because SAVE has incorrect info then the error needs to be corrected through SAVE. 

 

Honestly though I have the feeling that your rejected SSN application is due to a name issue as your wife is most likely choosing to use your surname + your profile says she is from Brazil so its also likely this issue may be related to her combining your surnames or attempting to use her previous surname as her middle name or something like that. 

 

Again USCIS controls SAVE and SSA will only issue a SSN in the name on file in SAVE. Look at her GC and determine what is in each field (first, middle, last). That is how you want to enter it on the SSN application. Anything in the wrong field will cause a name mismatch/identity issue/rejection. If her GC is not how she wants her name to be she needs to fix that with USCIS first and then the SS card will reflect such. Depending on what change needs to be made she may be able to file the i90 to change the name on the GC or might have to get a local court name change done. 

Wife never changed her surname, primarily to avoid problems like this, so that has nothing to do with it. I guess I'll need to call and read them their instruction manual.

[PWB 213]

18 hours ago, Bjh said:

I just read up on the manual SSA workers are supposed to use to assess documents to establish identity. Any immigration documents including green cards (aka form I-551) have to be verified with DHS through the SAVE system. I just checked this out, and DHS has no records of my wife including through her I-94 number, passport number, or USCIS/alien ID number. I've read that this has been a problem for immigrants trying to obtain a SSN.

 

OMG we are having a problem with getting an ID card and it is the same situation.  DHS has no record and can not validate lawful presence.  USCIS knows there is a problem with the SAVE system but will not fix it.  We have been past back and forth for the last two months.

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

We went to the SS office (although we had marked for USCIS to process it)

with our IR 1 stamp on passport and marriage certificate the lady said we could not apply or even inquiry as to the staus

We looked all up and printed out the USCIS site instructions and copy of the ds 260 showing we checked the box,  spoke to a new person and he said ,  you don't need all this,   i will look in the computer for status of the card   he did  / we got it in less than 2 weeks

for a CR1 or IR1

he also said all we needed to start with was a CR1 / IR1 stamp (for those of you doing spouse visa) as that indicates immigration has confirmed the marriage and a SS # can be given

[SalishSea 17,818]

20 hours ago, Bjh said:

I just read up on the manual SSA workers are supposed to use to assess documents to establish identity. Any immigration documents including green cards (aka form I-551) have to be verified with DHS through the SAVE system. I just checked this out, and DHS has no records of my wife including through her I-94 number, passport number, or USCIS/alien ID number. I've read that this has been a problem for immigrants trying to obtain a SSN.

 

This is why, for other readers, applying for the SSN should be the FIRST action after POE on a K-1.  Even before marriage.

[Loren Y 2,755]

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

This is why, for other readers, applying for the SSN should be the FIRST action after POE on a K-1.  Even before marriage.

This is the truth. My fiancee and I arrived on a Sunday night thru LAX at 7pm. Processed thru POE by 8pm. Drove back to Las Vegas,NV that night( Arrived around 1AM on Monday). went to the SS office Monday morning at 9am as soon as they opened, after about an hour wait, got to the window, had everything filled out, employee with some gentle prodding ( He said no way she would be in the SAVE system, she arrived less than a day ago). But she was in there, SS card a week later. My friend that I just Married as her fiancee came on a K1 was having issues with getting their social security card also. Took 3 different phone calls to get an appointment scheduled in the San diego office, but once she got the right person, they got it done, and had the card a few weeks later. Just keep trying until you can get an appointment in person at your local office, it may take a few calls, but you can get it done. If your trying by mail it is a problem because they want to tie up all the originals of your important information for a month. Best bet it to try an in person visit to your local office. Thru the mail is an effort in futility as you have seen.

[Bjh 39]

21 hours ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

If an immigrant does not appear in the initial verification on the SAVE system, the SSN employee should request an additional verification submitting photocopies of the applicant’s relevant immigration documents. A status verifier will conduct a manual search of immigration databases, including databases not automatically searched during the initial verification.

 

So, if you are sending all the required documents, it doesn't matter if your wife does not appear initially in the system, her SSN should be processed.

Could you give me a link to an official document or manual that specifies this? I really need to drill this into them because their screwups do affect my wife's life significantly (not being able to work legally really sucks).

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

2 hours ago, Bjh said:

Could you give me a link to an official document or manual that specifies this? I really need to drill this into them because their screwups do affect my wife's life significantly (not being able to work legally really sucks).

https://eohhs.ehs.state.ma.us/DTA/PolicyOnline/!SSL!/WebHelp/X_Prog/SAVE/SAVE_Snip_It_Images.htm

[Bjh 39]

On 5/8/2021 at 10:03 AM, Villanelle said:

You can attempt to call them but most likely a call is not going to fix things. You are most likely going to need to submit a new application for a SSN from scratch. The most common issue people have is related to name changes due to marriage and since your wife is the immigrant it may be that this is the issue you are having. What name did you fill out the SSN application with and what name is displayed on the GC? 

 

USCIS controls what info is shown in SAVE. The name on her GC is her name in SAVE and the ONLY name SSA will issue her a SSN in.  Does this fix your issue?

 

If not and you requested the SSN in the name on her GC then move on to checking the SAVE system- https://www.uscis.gov/save/save-casecheck There recently have been issues with people having trouble getting verified with the SAVE system and SSA. Does your case check on the link show the inquiry made by SSA? For those that were having issues the SAVE system would say they returned the info to SSA yet SSA would say they didnt get anything back. Some people were able to correct this by contacting SSA and others through contacting SAVE. It would really depend on where you are in the SAVE check process and SSN application. It seems your  SSN application was rejected so its probably easier to start a new application rather then to get SSA to reopen your denied one but if SAVE shows it as returned to agency that requested it and SSA is saying it wasnt you can attempt to speak to SSA about such. If SSA did not get a response back from SAVE because SAVE has incorrect info then the error needs to be corrected through SAVE. 

 

Honestly though I have the feeling that your rejected SSN application is due to a name issue as your wife is most likely choosing to use your surname + your profile says she is from Brazil so its also likely this issue may be related to her combining your surnames or attempting to use her previous surname as her middle name or something like that. 

 

Again USCIS controls SAVE and SSA will only issue a SSN in the name on file in SAVE. Look at her GC and determine what is in each field (first, middle, last). That is how you want to enter it on the SSN application. Anything in the wrong field will cause a name mismatch/identity issue/rejection. If her GC is not how she wants her name to be she needs to fix that with USCIS first and then the SS card will reflect such. Depending on what change needs to be made she may be able to file the i90 to change the name on the GC or might have to get a local court name change done. 

 

On 5/7/2021 at 9:31 PM, Allaboutwaiting said:

If an immigrant does not appear in the initial verification on the SAVE system, the SSN employee should request an additional verification submitting photocopies of the applicant’s relevant immigration documents. A status verifier will conduct a manual search of immigration databases, including databases not automatically searched during the initial verification.

 

So, if you are sending all the required documents, it doesn't matter if your wife does not appear initially in the system, her SSN should be processed.

 

On 5/7/2021 at 7:53 PM, Dashinka said:

Unfortunately, the SSA is really a pita.  I agree with @arken, you might want to try a different office.

 

On 5/7/2021 at 7:51 PM, arken said:

Asking for that simply suggests the person in charge is an anti immigrant. I say just try another office.

Update...I called the SSA office, apparently someone working on the case marked my wife's green card and Brazilian passports as "photocopies/not originals" even though we sent the green card/passport in along with photocopies of them both, AND had the originals returned by mail. Someone messed up, but regardless, we're gonna have to send in the originals in again, unfortunately.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

1 hour ago, Bjh said:

Update...I called the SSA office, apparently someone working on the case marked my wife's green card and Brazilian passports as "photocopies/not originals" even though we sent the green card/passport in along with photocopies of them both, AND had the originals returned by mail. Someone messed up, but regardless, we're gonna have to send in the originals in again, unfortunately.

Good luck and hopefully the SSN will be processed ASAP.