Struggling

[Melancholic Mage 84]

I've been in the USA a month now and I'm finding things difficult. The biggest problem I'm having is actually setting up any kind of 'footprint' of a life here. To do much of anything I need proof of address, but to get proof of address I need things that require... proof of address. All I have is my passport and social security number, and I currently live with my partner at their parents while we get established. Still waiting on green card, which I've been told doesn't have proof of address on it anyway. A lot of places have questioned my visa's 'one year endorsement as temporary green card' to boot.

 

I can't get a bank account - tried opening a joint account with my partner in Chase and they won't take my SSN and its attached USCIS letterhead as proof of address.

I can't get a library card without proof of address.

I can't get a contract or utility bill because living at partner's parents and also no bank account - see above.

I can't get a driver's license without proof of address.

I can't get a car or car insurance as no bank account or job to pay for it - see above.

I can't get a job without driver's license or car - see above.

I can't get medical insurance without job - see above. Also, partner is trying to add me to their insurance but I have to wait until they join their work union first. I don't know how long that will take.

 

It's all starting to take its toll and I'm struggling mentally. Things are starting to become strained in my relationship and I'm feeling more and more helpless by the day. The only hope I have is trying to ask about getting a State ID. I feel isolated. I worry about becoming a burden or 'freeloader', and even chasing some of these options to try and get myself established has turned into some unpleasant encounters and judgements from other people/employees. I don't feel like anyone is willing to help. They're more happy to tell you that they can't rather than outline what you could do. Not looking for hand-outs. Just want a hand-up.

[SalishSea 17,717]

6 minutes ago, Melancholic Mage said:

I've been in the USA a month now and I'm finding things difficult. The biggest problem I'm having is actually setting up any kind of 'footprint' of a life here. To do much of anything I need proof of address, but to get proof of address I need things that require... proof of address. All I have is my passport and social security number, and I currently live with my partner at their parents while we get established. Still waiting on green card, which I've been told doesn't have proof of address on it anyway. A lot of places have questioned my visa's 'one year endorsement as temporary green card' to boot.

 

I can't get a bank account - tried opening a joint account with my partner in Chase and they won't take my SSN and its attached USCIS letterhead as proof of address.

I can't get a library card without proof of address.

I can't get a contract or utility bill because living at partner's parents and also no bank account - see above.

I can't get a driver's license without proof of address.

I can't get a car or car insurance as no bank account or job to pay for it - see above.

I can't get a job without driver's license or car - see above.

I can't get medical insurance without job - see above. Also, partner is trying to add me to their insurance but I have to wait until they join their work union first. I don't know how long that will take.

 

It's all starting to take its toll and I'm struggling mentally. Things are starting to become strained in my relationship and I'm feeling more and more helpless by the day. The only hope I have is trying to ask about getting a State ID. I feel isolated. I worry about becoming a burden or 'freeloader', and even chasing some of these options to try and get myself established has turned into some unpleasant encounters and judgements from other people/employees. I don't feel like anyone is willing to help. They're more happy to tell you that they can't rather than outline what you could do. Not looking for hand-outs. Just want a hand-up.

Most of that makes no sense. 

 

If you were here on a K-1, it would make more sense, but your 551 stamp on the visa in your passport serves as the temp green card until the plastic card arrives.  Not sure who told you otherwise.

 

Try a different bank if Chase will not let you open an account.  Why do you not have an SSN?

 

Having to join a work union to add a spouse to employer based health insurance makes no sense.  Marriage/immigration is a qualifying event to add spouse to insurance.

 

Why can't you be added to your spouse's auto insurance?  You realize that you don't have to have your own car for that, right?

 

What was your original plan for a job search and transportation?   What was your plan in terms of where to live?  Why isn't your spouse helping with some of this stuff? 

 

I'm sure it's frustrating, but surely you must have had some of these things planned out before immigrating.  

[Melancholic Mage 84]

36 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

Most of that makes no sense. 

 

If you were here on a K-1, it would make more sense, but your 551 stamp on the visa in your passport serves as the temp green card until the plastic card arrives.  Not sure who told you otherwise.

 

Try a different bank if Chase will not let you open an account.  Why do you not have an SSN?

 

Having to join a work union to add a spouse to employer based health insurance makes no sense.  Marriage/immigration is a qualifying event to add spouse to insurance.

 

Why can't you be added to your spouse's auto insurance?  You realize that you don't have to have your own car for that, right?

 

What was your original plan for a job search and transportation?   What was your plan in terms of where to live?  Why isn't your spouse helping with some of this stuff? 

 

I'm sure it's frustrating, but surely you must have had some of these things planned out before immigrating.  

 

Regarding the stamp in my passport, no one told me otherwise. It should be accepted, but the bank advisor rose a few eyebrows at it as if they've never seen it before. Kept asking for my green card. Which I told them the visa acts as a temporary one. All moot points regardless, because no proof of address.

 

Spouse's family want me to go through Chase - just tried and true for them. I have no will to argue with it, but if I can't get a State ID, it's the only way forward. There has to be SOME way.

 

Spouse's work gives very good health insurance but given their personal situation and my understanding, they need to join the union to qualify and add me to it. I could look elsewhere for health insurance but it's not nearly as good.

 

I do realise I don't need my own car, but since spouse uses it for work adding me wouldn't help much since they need it more to commute. And I will need my own once I get a job to commute myself. I also don't have a state license. My UK one will not qualify me to drive here.

 

Original plan was to get a bank account opened, take driving lessons, pass test, get my license, look for work... things that take time. And we accepted and anticipated that. Myself and my spouse cannot afford a home, especially with me having no job here as of yet, so plan was to live with their parents until we're settled enough to move out. They were happy to do this for us. My partner is doing their best to help with a lot of things, but neither them or my in-laws expected so much resistance just getting what is essentially basic paperwork.

 

USCIS puts you through all these rigorous checks, including address, gives you your visa in your passport (which is temp green card until physical one arrives) and social security number. Then that's it. You're on your own, and if you're in a state that makes getting extra documentation difficult, as it appears I am, then good luck I guess? No. It doesn't make any sense. Even their own help guide is outdated in numerous places, and outright blasé in others. 'Just do this!' No. It's not that easy, as I'm finding out. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-618.pdf

 

I feel like I'm coming up against barriers I couldn't have foresaw. I didn't have no plan whatsoever: things are just turning out to be much more difficult than anticipated. Some people online Reddit-wise said even they had similar problems with the address issue as a US Citizen simply moving state. Some states get finicky with it and they had to wait for statements and such showing the new address - came up against similar problems. Which makes me feel a little better, but doesn't exactly help right now.

 

 

[SalishSea 17,717]

14 minutes ago, Melancholic Mage said:

 

Regarding the stamp in my passport, no one told me otherwise. It should be accepted, but the bank advisor rose a few eyebrows at it as if they've never seen it before. Kept asking for my green card. Which I told them the visa acts as a temporary one. All moot points regardless, because no proof of address.

 

Spouse's family want me to go through Chase - just tried and true for them. I have no will to argue with it, but if I can't get a State ID, it's the only way forward. There has to be SOME way.

 

Spouse's work gives very good health insurance but given their personal situation and my understanding, they need to join the union to qualify and add me to it. I could look elsewhere for health insurance but it's not nearly as good.

 

I do realise I don't need my own car, but since spouse uses it for work adding me wouldn't help much since they need it more to commute. And I will need my own once I get a job to commute myself. I also don't have a state license. My UK one will not qualify me to drive here.

 

Original plan was to get a bank account opened, take driving lessons, pass test, get my license, look for work... things that take time. And we accepted and anticipated that. Myself and my spouse cannot afford a home, especially with me having no job here as of yet, so plan was to live with their parents until we're settled enough to move out. They were happy to do this for us. My partner is doing their best to help with a lot of things, but neither them or my in-laws expected so much resistance just getting what is essentially basic paperwork.

 

USCIS puts you through all these rigorous checks, including address, gives you your visa in your passport (which is temp green card until physical one arrives) and social security number. Then that's it. You're on your own, and if you're in a state that makes getting extra documentation difficult, as it appears I am, then good luck I guess? No. It doesn't make any sense. Even their own help guide is outdated in numerous places, and outright blasé in others. 'Just do this!' No. It's not that easy, as I'm finding out. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-618.pdf

 

I feel like I'm coming up against barriers I couldn't have foresaw. I didn't have no plan whatsoever: things are just turning out to be much more difficult than anticipated. Some people online Reddit-wise said even they had similar problems with the address issue as a US Citizen simply moving state. Some states get finicky with it and they had to wait for statements and such showing the new address - came up against similar problems. Which makes me feel a little better, but doesn't exactly help right now.

 

 

I think you will need to be a little more proactive here.

 

There is no reason to go with a "tried and true" bank.  Get a bank that will allow YOU to open an account.  Spouse's parents are not in YOUR unique situation, so IMHO they don't get a vote in this.

 

And it's not the visa in your passport that serves as the GC temporarily - it's the I-551 stamp.  Can you locate that to make sure it's there?  I promise that it is NO different than the plastic card, which can take up to one year.  If you have to find the verbiage for this, print it out to show to people who might be unfamiliar with it, then do it!

 

Even if you do not have a separate car, you are married, and can (and should) have joint auto insurance.  Do you know how to drive?  If not, ask your spouse to take you to the DMV so that you can get a learner's permit.  This will also serve as proof of address.

 

Can you establish some joint bills, even with living with parents?  Costco/gym memberships, cell phone plans etc.

 

It's easy to adopt a defeatist attitude, but sometimes you just have to make a list and make things happen. The USA is the land of the can-do attitude, so 'when in Rome'.......

 

And again, your spouse should absolutely be helping you with all of this.   Good luck!

[Cw1977 99]

1 hour ago, Melancholic Mage said:

I've been in the USA a month now and I'm finding things difficult. The biggest problem I'm having is actually setting up any kind of 'footprint' of a life here. To do much of anything I need proof of address, but to get proof of address I need things that require... proof of address. All I have is my passport and social security number, and I currently live with my partner at their parents while we get established. Still waiting on green card, which I've been told doesn't have proof of address on it anyway. A lot of places have questioned my visa's 'one year endorsement as temporary green card' to boot.

 

I can't get a bank account - tried opening a joint account with my partner in Chase and they won't take my SSN and its attached USCIS letterhead as proof of address.

I can't get a library card without proof of address.

I can't get a contract or utility bill because living at partner's parents and also no bank account - see above.

I can't get a driver's license without proof of address.

I can't get a car or car insurance as no bank account or job to pay for it - see above.

I can't get a job without driver's license or car - see above.

I can't get medical insurance without job - see above. Also, partner is trying to add me to their insurance but I have to wait until they join their work union first. I don't know how long that will take.

 

It's all starting to take its toll and I'm struggling mentally. Things are starting to become strained in my relationship and I'm feeling more and more helpless by the day. The only hope I have is trying to ask about getting a State ID. I feel isolated. I worry about becoming a burden or 'freeloader', and even chasing some of these options to try and get myself established has turned into some unpleasant encounters and judgements from other people/employees. I don't feel like anyone is willing to help. They're more happy to tell you that they can't rather than outline what you could do. Not looking for hand-outs. Just want a hand-up.

interestingly I had the exact experience with chase too when they told me they couldn’t accept my ssn letter with my address on as proof of address (which I found bizarre given its come from the government) but then I tried a different branch of chase and they accepted it without issue! Go figure…

 

I’m not saying this will be same for you but may be worth trying another branch. The other option, as weird as it sounds is go open an account somewhere else and once you get a statement from there with your address on, Chase will def accept that if you want to change

[Melancholic Mage 84]

14 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

I think you will need to be a little more proactive here.

 

There is no reason to go with a "tried and true" bank.  Get a bank that will allow YOU to open an account.  Spouse's parents are not in YOUR unique situation, so IMHO they don't get a vote in this.

 

And it's not the visa in your passport that serves as the GC temporarily - it's the I-551 stamp.  Can you locate that to make sure it's there?  I promise that it is NO different than the plastic card, which can take up to one year.  If you have to find the verbiage for this, print it out to show to people who might be unfamiliar with it, then do it!

 

Even if you do not have a separate car, you are married, and can (and should) have joint auto insurance.  Do you know how to drive?  If not, ask your spouse to take you to the DMV so that you can get a learner's permit.  This will also serve as proof of address.

 

Can you establish some joint bills, even with living with parents?  Costco/gym memberships, cell phone plans etc.

 

It's easy to adopt a defeatist attitude, but sometimes you just have to make a list and make things happen. The USA is the land of the can-do attitude, so 'when in Rome'.......

 

And again, your spouse should absolutely be helping you with all of this.   Good luck!

 

Thank you for the pep talk. I'm absolutely trying, honest. Perhaps my perspective is warped because of my history in the UK, but needless to say I'm used to being beaten down.

 

Checked passport, stamp is there. Thank you for clarifying.

 

Agreed about the car - the insurance is in his and his parent's name. So that might cause some issues. Will have to ask. Yes I know how to drive, but in the UK and in a manual car. I don't know how to drive the cars here as of yet, and with the wheel and road side flipped, it will take a couple of lessons to acclimate I'm sure.

 

He has a Costco card. Maybe I can mooch, good idea. I'm unsure if it counts as a joint bill however. Will chase it up.

 

Please note my spouse is doing what they can within their area of knowledge and expertise. It's frustrating because I feel like we've been as proactive as we possibly could, from the beginning of the immigration process and we continue to be throughout, but there's little you can say or do when people shut the doors in front of you. 'Computer says no' culture. Thank you for reading though. I'll keep pushing and note milestones in my timeline.

 

9 minutes ago, Cw1977 said:

interestingly I had the exact experience with chase too when they told me they couldn’t accept my ssn letter with my address on as proof of address (which I found bizarre given its come from the government) but then I tried a different branch of chase and they accepted it without issue! Go figure…

 

I’m not saying this will be same for you but may be worth trying another branch. The other option, as weird as it sounds is go open an account somewhere else and once you get a statement from there with your address on, Chase will def accept that if you want to change

 

That BEYOND helps. Thank you. I admit I do have MH issues in play but it really is easy to feel targeted when you read others seemingly having little to no issues. I'll consider going with a different bank if not pointedly doing so should this keep proving to be an uphill battle. I just think it's ridiculous that USCIS mail DOES NOT COUNT for proof of address, despite the grueling checks they make to ensure you are where you say you are.

 

You would think their mail would count towards that if not more so. Apparently not.

Edited 3 hours ago by Melancholic Mage

[Cw1977 99]

1 minute ago, Melancholic Mage said:

 

Thank you for the pep talk. I'm absolutely trying, honest. Perhaps my perspective is warped because of my history in the UK, but needless to say I'm used to being beaten down.

 

Checked passport, stamp is there. Thank for your clarifying.

 

Agreed about the car - the insurance is in his and his parent's name. So that might cause some issues. Will have to ask. Yes I know how to drive, but in the UK and in a manual car. I don't know how to drive the cars here as of yet, and with the wheel and road side flipped, it will take a couple of lessons to acclimate I'm sure.

 

He has a Costco card. Maybe I can mooch, good idea. I'm unsure if it counts as a joint bill however. Will chase it up.

 

Please note my spouse is doing what they can within their area of knowledge and expertise. It's frustrating because I feel like we've been as proactive as we possibly could, from the beginning of the immigration process and we continue to be throughout, but there's little you can say or do when people shut the doors in front of you. 'Computer says no' culture. Thank you for reading though. I'll keep pushing and note milestones in my timeline.

 

 

That BEYOND helps. Thank you. I admit I do have MH issues in play but it really is easy to feel targeted when you read others seemingly having little to no issues. I'll consider going with a different bank if no pointedly doing so should this keep proving to be an uphill battle. I just think it's ridiculous that USCIS mail DOES NOT COUNT for proof of address, despite the grueling checks they make to ensure you are where you say you are.

 

You would think their mail would count towards that if not more so. Apparently not.

you should check but I believe Revolut allows you to open an account online without proof of address. You should be able to sign up, and get a statement within a few wks then use that elsewhere if needed. 

[SalishSea 17,717]

19 minutes ago, Cw1977 said:

you should check but I believe Revolut allows you to open an account online without proof of address. You should be able to sign up, and get a statement within a few wks then use that elsewhere if needed. 

Also maybe try a local credit union (those are better than banks anyway, IMHO, as they generally have little to no fees).  

 

OP, you are going to be just fine.  Hang in there!

[Boiler 45,282]

Get an Illinois driver's license?
Drivers moving to Illinois may use their valid driver's license from their home state or country for 90 days. You may obtain an Illinois driver's license or identification card only if you are becoming a legal resident of Illinois. If you have a valid driver's license from another state or country, you may use it to drive in Illinois throughout your stay (if you do not plan to become a permanent resident of this state). Illinois does not recognize the international driver's license.

[Melancholic Mage 84]

18 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Get an Illinois driver's license?
Drivers moving to Illinois may use their valid driver's license from their home state or country for 90 days. You may obtain an Illinois driver's license or identification card only if you are becoming a legal resident of Illinois. If you have a valid driver's license from another state or country, you may use it to drive in Illinois throughout your stay (if you do not plan to become a permanent resident of this state). Illinois does not recognize the international driver's license.

 

This still won't help with my proof of address situation. I could drive for 90 days but still need insurance, and even then, to what end apart from gaining a little bit of freedom? Well, aside from some practice, granted.

 

 

Group D is the problem. This also apparently counts for State ID. I need to get billed or open a bank somehow for a statement. Frustrating that USCIS does not count for official mail.

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Melancholic Mage

[top_secret 2,373]

Get added as an authorized user on your spouse's credit cards.  They mail the cards and some like Capital One, Discover etc list authorized users on statements. When I added my wife to my auto insurance (GEICO) they didn't ask for any evidence of identity.  They added her instantly as a spouse and then ask questions later.  Plus they mailed paperwork to her.  More proof of address.  California issued her a Real ID Driver's Licence with her Philippine Passport with endorsed CR-1 visa, SS Card and mailer it came in (official government mail) plus bank mail as proof of address.  As far as Chase it seems like you ran into an employee who doesn't know what they are doing. You probably need to either educate them or go around them somehow.