SSN nightmare

[h1a1 5]

I was hoping that the various reports on here of people at the social security office being clueless and rude were an exaggeration. But yeah, from my experience they are. I entered on a K1 visa. Not married yet (later this month) but waited for over 3 weeks after POE before I went to the office to see about getting a social security card. I told them that I had a K1 visa and she was like "Are you allowed to have a SSN?" and of course I replied I was (and had the documentation in my hand which I got from VJ). She took my application form and started entering information into her computer. She kept pushing me for my mother's maiden name which I said was the same as mine and the lady said "No her MAIDEN name... the one from before she was married?" (as if I'm stupid and don't know what a maiden name is) and I had to repeat 3 times that it was the same as mine because she never married. She gave a disapproving roll of her eyes. Then onto my father's name because I'd left that blank on my form and I replied "I don't know..." and I'm sure Lil' Miss Judgmental LOVED that answer!

She then looked at my passport and told me it was invalid and she couldn't input the information on the computer as the expiry date was for August 2020 and the computer only allows for 10 years. I was like "Invalid? No. It's a valid passport" and she said in a condescending voice "I can't put in anything beyond 10 years and it's telling me your passport is I-N-V-A-L-I-D". So I asked if she could check with her supervisor and she was like "Whatta supervise gon'do? It says invalid! It ain't me denying you! It the system" So I tried to explain that my previous passport was damaged but had over 2 years left to run and if you renew in Britain while your passport is still valid then they carry over several months for you which makes it more than a 10-year passport. Finally she moved past this.

Then she took out my I-94 (removed staples) and walked away with it and my passport without saying a word. I figured she was just going to photocopy it but I did feel a little nervous because she'd offered up no explanation of what she was doing. Finally she came back with a paper saying my card should be with me within 2-4 weeks so long as my documentation gets approved. She said she had to send off a copy of my passport, visa and I-94 because she had to make up a date of expiration for my passport seeing as the system deemed the actual date to be invalid. THEN she stapled my I-94 ONTO MY VISA!!! I nearly lost my composure with her at that point but just let it drop and fixed it myself when I got home. Not loving the 2 staple holes which are on my visa page now though.

Gosh, she was just so RUDE and clueless. We also had issues because she didn't seem to be able to understand my English accent and I couldn't particularly gasp her poor English-language skills either. Even my friend who came with me couldn't figure out some of what she said and couldn't believe her attitude with me.

I'm in no rush to get a SSN. I can't work yet anyway but figured I'd go to the office today so it's one less thing to do later on in the process. If she screwed up I'll just go back in a few weeks or chase up this application over the phone.

[Bernie C 24]

Sorry for your bad experience. It seems all to common today for these people to not know their jobs and to treat people like #######. Its not right but we have to deal with it.

Just one word of encouragement for others who read all these awful experiences. There are someplaces out there and some people that do know their job and are even polite. Hopefully we'll run into more of them and less of the others.

We've been very lucky so far at the SS office and at the health department (where my wife got her vaccinations). I'm prepared for a let down as we will be visiting the civil surgeon soon. Hopefully our luck continues but I'm not holding my breath!!!

[h1a1 5]

I gave her no reason to be rude. I was polite throughout, even when I suggested that perhaps a supervisor would know what to do. I also didn't like her judging me on my family history. She knows nothing about me. You'd think my clothes and my whole demeanor would be a clue to her that I'm not trash and was raised very well. But hey... looks like she figured out what to do in the end and by tomorrow I'll probably have forgotten about how much she annoyed me.

[Lancelotte25 1]

So far I have not experienced what you've just had. My problem is, I am more than one month now but still NO SSN assign. My wife and I applied last week and the guy told us that it will take two weeks but when I called their Hotline number they told me that it will take more longer than the time specified by the local office because I was born outside the US.

I really don't which information is to believe, ohh by the way, my Green Card arrived just now while writing this one. I can't believe the Green Card arrived first before my SSN.