SSN - wait or go and get manually?

[Purrikitty 50]

Hi friends. I crossed into the US yesterday and all went well, but the border officer made a suggestion that has me confused.

 

When we filed for my IR1, we selected the option to have the SSN mailed to me. However, the officer told me I needed to go in person to an office and get the card myself. I told him we had selected the option to have it mailed and he told me to go anyway to avoid delays.

 

I don't mind going, but I don't want it to cause any trouble if I do need to wait (can these things be double issued?). Has this happened to anyone else? Should I go and get the SSN from the office or will that cause trouble since I selected to mail it?

[Immi_Enthusiast 5]

7 minutes ago, Purrikitty said:

Hi friends. I crossed into the US yesterday and all went well, but the border officer made a suggestion that has me confused.

 

When we filed for my IR1, we selected the option to have the SSN mailed to me. However, the officer told me I needed to go in person to an office and get the card myself. I told him we had selected the option to have it mailed and he told me to go anyway to avoid delays.

 

I don't mind going, but I don't want it to cause any trouble if I do need to wait (can these things be double issued?). Has this happened to anyone else? Should I go and get the SSN from the office or will that cause trouble since I selected to mail it?

I wish CBP would all mention this to everyone when they first enter into the USA. I suggest you ring your local office and book an appointment as they can take several weeks (especially during this time of Covid shutdowns.)  Book the appointment and if you SSN does happen to turn up by chance, you can always cancel the appointment you already booked. Best of Luck. 

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

1 hour ago, Purrikitty said:

Hi friends. I crossed into the US yesterday and all went well, but the border officer made a suggestion that has me confused.

 

When we filed for my IR1, we selected the option to have the SSN mailed to me. However, the officer told me I needed to go in person to an office and get the card myself. I told him we had selected the option to have it mailed and he told me to go anyway to avoid delays.

 

I don't mind going, but I don't want it to cause any trouble if I do need to wait (can these things be double issued?). Has this happened to anyone else? Should I go and get the SSN from the office or will that cause trouble since I selected to mail it?

Question: How did this subject even come up at the border?  CBP has the responsibility of admitting you into the US...NOTHING MORE!!  CBP has absolutely nothing to do with getting a SSN.  Personally, I would just wait and see if SSA mails it.

Edited January 6, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

Dayton shows 2 offices open so u can call and make an appointment

but give it a few weeks as your information from POE might not yet be in the system to trigger the SS ds 260 request to do the number

 

no harm in going but the system for USCIS to process it ,  does work / that's how our was done

 

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

1 hour ago, Immi_Enthusiast said:

I wish CBP would all mention this to everyone when they first enter into the USA. I suggest you ring your local office and book an appointment as they can take several weeks (especially during this time of Covid shutdowns.)  Book the appointment and if you SSN does happen to turn up by chance, you can always cancel the appointment you already booked. Best of Luck. 

I disagree.  CBP has NO authority to give advice about getting a SSN.  I suggest waiting to see if the SSN comes automatically.

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

How did this subject even come up at the border?  CBP has absolutely nothing to do with getting a SSN.  Just wait and see if SSA mails it.

He may have known someone who went thru the process and had issues like those do have for K1

[Dashinka 24,493]

3 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I disagree.  CBP has NO authority to give advice about getting a SSN.  I suggest waiting to see if the SSN comes automatically.

I agree with you regarding CBP, but of course we do not know the entire conversation that took place when the OP entered.  As to waiting, I found out when my cousins came over on DVs, it was easier to just go down to the SSA and apply even though they also checked the box on the DS260.  I know with Covid, getting an appointment at the SSA is more difficult, but still doable especially is someone has a job prospect, or wants to start working immediately.  In my cousin's case, they wanted to start working ASAP, so rather than wait in the dark hoping the feds transfer information efficiently, they had their SSNs in about 5 days.

Edited January 6, 2022 by Dashinka

[Boiler 45,488]

I had a friend in this situation who was able to book an appointment and get it within a couple of days YMMV

[Purrikitty 50]

45 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Question: How did this subject even come up at the border?  CBP has the responsibility of admitting you into the US...NOTHING MORE!!  CBP has absolutely nothing to do with getting a SSN.  Personally, I would just wait and see if SSA mails it.

It was volunteered. I was called up, the address confirmed, and the officer started telling me how to go about getting a social security number. I was confused and wasn't sure what to say after I told them what I had checked on the form and the officer told me to go anyway. 

 

Sounds like I should just book the appointment to go and grab it though, or at least discuss it with the SSA, so I'll do that today. Thank you everyone for your advice! I appreciate it

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

4 minutes ago, Purrikitty said:

It was volunteered. I was called up, the address confirmed, and the officer started telling me how to go about getting a social security number. I was confused and wasn't sure what to say after I told them what I had checked on the form and the officer told me to go anyway. 

 

Sounds like I should just book the appointment to go and grab it though, or at least discuss it with the SSA, so I'll do that today. Thank you everyone for your advice! I appreciate it

Great.  Some people who marked the box on the DS-260 receive the SS card within a few days or weeks.....while some don't.  Some people easily get appointments at SSA...some don't....good luck.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,434]

7 hours ago, Purrikitty said:

It was volunteered. I was called up, the address confirmed, and the officer started telling me how to go about getting a social security number. I was confused and wasn't sure what to say after I told them what I had checked on the form and the officer told me to go anyway. 

 

Sounds like I should just book the appointment to go and grab it though, or at least discuss it with the SSA, so I'll do that today. Thank you everyone for your advice! I appreciate it

Officially you will need to wait up to 3 weeks after entry for the SSN card.  After the 3 weeks you can call the local SSA office to inquire about the status.

 

However, I do not see why you could not call the SSA office to see if the request for the SSN is in their system.  When my wife arrived last year, we called after the 3 weeks to find out that there was no record of a request for her SSN.  Long story short, we were able to get an appointment and she got her SSN...after about 6 weeks total from the date of her entry.

 

I do not think it would hurt to call the SSA and discuss it. 

[Loren Y 2,755]

10 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

but give it a few weeks as your information from POE might not yet be in the system to trigger the SS

Does not take a few weeks anymore. It is literally in the system instantly( It's done electronically now). Back in the end of 2018 when my wife came thru LAX POE, on Sunday night, we went to the SS office Monday morning ( About 13 hours after POE), and she was in the computer. SS card a week later.

[Immi_Enthusiast 5]

18 hours ago, Dashinka said:

I agree with you regarding CBP, but of course we do not know the entire conversation that took place when the OP entered.  As to waiting, I found out when my cousins came over on DVs, it was easier to just go down to the SSA and apply even though they also checked the box on the DS260.  I know with Covid, getting an appointment at the SSA is more difficult, but still doable especially is someone has a job prospect, or wants to start working immediately.  In my cousin's case, they wanted to start working ASAP, so rather than wait in the dark hoping the feds transfer information efficiently, they had their SSNs in about 5 days.

Yes similar very recent situation here. Checked D-260 (thinking it would come as expected.) Patiently waited the suggested 3 weeks. Nothing showed up. Called SSA took first appointment available, which was in 5 weeks time, fully booked until then. Checked in with them a few times and tried in vain to see if any other appointments had become available sooner, but none turned up. Had appointment and received SSN, 9 days later. Total 9 1/2 weeks from POE. I ageree Covid has made wait times longer in some places.