Something unbelievable happened at the Social Security office yesterday...

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I finally had a chance to visit the Social Security office yesterday to change my name (I'm the USC), and I came down ready to hang around forever for the privilege. The following amazing things happened:

1. The guards at the Federal Building were happy and polite
2. I was called to the counter within 8 minutes
3. My records were updated with the new name in less than 5 minutes
4. The SSA lady helping me was genuinely nice and helpful

WHAT???? I was in and out in under 15 minutes with a nice new shiny double-barrelled name. I have to say I was in deep, deep shock.

[Carlawarla 1]

haha Glad that everything went so smoothly! I've always had good luck and polite and friendly staff at my local SSN, but I have heard of some horror stories!

Carla

[Lansbury 19]

Don't worry it was a fluke you caught them on a bad day

[Ron/Sharon 0]

That sux, now you have to find a way to return your life to normal.

If they could do that all over the land there would no reason for lighting with all the beaming faces walking around.

Happy it came together for you.

Ron

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Are you sure? Maybe they changed your sex to male and are laughing hysterically behind your back right now.

[Mononoke28 135]

I had the same experience here in Denver and was completely shocked. The guard was very nice and helpful, there weren't many people both time we went, the lady was very nice and even tried to speak Spanish to my husband, and we were out of there in 15-20 minutes. Plus, yesterday I received my new SS card with my name on it. Less than 2 weeks. Unbelievable.

Diana

[Jasman0717 9]

We didn't have any problems when we went and every one was very polite.

[Amby 490]

we don't live in a very big city but our social security office I walked in and took a number and they called me before I even sat down. CONGRATS on the two names haha

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

The speed of your service was amazing maven, but as for being shocked at people giving decent service and being polite - you were in the UK for too long!! lol

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

The speed of your service was amazing maven, but as for being shocked at people giving decent service and being polite - you were in the UK for too long!! lol

I know...*groan* I'm always in shock when people are genuinely helpful here! The only UK government agency that was ever genuinely nice to me was the IND (as was -- whatever UK Immigration is called now!). When I went to get my Indefinite Leave stamp at Lunar House in Croydon, the official I dealt with said, "Oh goody! I LOVE dealing with the American spouses, you guys are soooo easy to process!" (or words to that effect)

I am still, nevertheless, in deep shock. When I went to get my first SSN at the same office, when I was 16, I was asked for my green card even though my birth certificate clearly stated I was born in Connecticut. When I pointed this out, the SS person asked me if I was comfortable speaking in English (I used to sound like a female version of Thurston Howell III from Gilligan's Island, not so much now). I could only deduce that because my maiden name was considerably more "ethnic" than my married name, they only looked at and jumped to conclusions. It took the better part of an hour to explain I was not only American by birth, but that I was a native English speaker (even if I did sound like I had lockjaw).

Apparently, the nearly 20 intervening years has done much for customer service there, so thumbs up to the New Haven Social Security office!

[Muuuuah 0]

When i went we had to wait for over 6 hours, they were so slow and not pleasant at all, wish i could of gone to the same office as you did.

[Mononoke28 135]

I lost my SS card a few years ago and went to a different SSA office. Not only did I have to wait in line for 4 hours since there were no chair available, but the people working there were really mean. It was worse than going to the DMV.

Diana