problems with the DS-260 option about SSN

[kjebo 0]

Same problem! Just posted the question myself: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/562809-ssn-number-through-online-ds-260/

Have been waiting for 3 weeks now and even started working in the USA! Can't get paid until I have my SSN so I am going into the SSA office on Wednesday to apply for SSN directly. According to the field office it should only take two weeks for them to process the card.

Not sure why NVC advised to check the box in the D-260 form if it takes months! It is impossible to do anything without SSN!!!

[Sukie 1,439]

From what I understand, the officer at POE has to click a box that sends your data to the SSA. We even REMINDED our POE officer to do so. He told us to go in person.

So even if you check a box on the DS-260, it still takes a human being to generate the "send" of the info to the Social Security Administration. This only seems to happen correctly about 50% of the time. I'm sure that some POEs are fabulous about it, and some are terrible. Ours was JFK.

It might be interesting to see which POEs work and which don't!

Bottom line...2 or 3 weeks after you enter the US, go to your local Social Security Office armed with your visa in your passport and apply in person. We got the SSN card 4 days later!

Sukie in NY

[dhlunar 25]

When my in-laws immigrated last December, we checked the box to have a SSN created for them on their DS-260. Sure enough it didn't come and I had to take them to a local SSA office, 11 days after arrival to apply for their SSN. Luckily the SSN came in the mail 4 days later that they were able to meet the cut-off to apply for health insurance under the affordable care act.

The Social Security Administration has the same type of program (automatic registration) for newborns. When my wife and I filled out the paperwork to register our child's birth at the hospital after she was born, there was a question on the form that asked if we wanted the information forwarded to SSA in order for them to create a SSN. Based on our experience with my in-laws not receiving their SSN automatically, I was a little hesitant but decided that it was worth a shot. To our surprise our newborn received her Social Security Card in the mail two weeks later.

[kjebo 0]

Thanks! Also the SSA advised me to go to my local SSA office, because it can take months before immigration processes the SSN. So I followed their advise and received the SSN in the mail 4 days later.

It is a pain to wait in line for over an hour but it is definitely worth it!!

[K & V 33]

From what I understand, the officer at POE has to click a box that sends your data to the SSA. We even REMINDED our POE officer to do so. He told us to go in person.

So even if you check a box on the DS-260, it still takes a human being to generate the "send" of the info to the Social Security Administration. This only seems to happen correctly about 50% of the time. I'm sure that some POEs are fabulous about it, and some are terrible. Ours was JFK.

It might be interesting to see which POEs work and which don't!

Bottom line...2 or 3 weeks after you enter the US, go to your local Social Security Office armed with your visa in your passport and apply in person. We got the SSN card 4 days later!

Sukie in NY

Hi Sukie,

Is there a way to tell if the POE officer is sending your data to the SSA while you are standing in front of them, or do you automatically have to remind them to do it?

A friend of mine whose wife went through the K1 process said to go to the local SSA office and apply immediately without waiting the 2 to 3 weeks.

[Florence & Jos 7]

On 7/27/2014 at 0:02 PM, Sukie said:

We had the same problem. I had even been told to gently remind the CBP officer that we had checked the box on the form. He then said, "Oh, you can just go to your local office and get one." Sure enough, my spouse's did not come through.

Now...somewhere I read that when you check the box on the DS-260, you should allow "two to three weeks" for your card to arrive. My suspicion is that your request, which is (supposed to be) generated at the POE by the officer by ticking a box on their input screen, goes into a queue where a SSN clerk somewhere wades through the requests, and this queue is taking forever.

If getting to your local Social Security office is NOT an issue, then don't check the box on the DS-260 and take care of it yourself. You'll get the card in about a week!

Your I-551 stamp in your passport is proof of age and ID, but it might be good to bring your birth certificate with you, if you have one. If a clerk says your passport stamp isn't good enough, ask for a supervisor, and then if you STILL have problems, tell them to look it up in their own manual. Better yet, print and carry this document with you: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf

Please remember - the I-551 machine readable visa in your passport, together with the stamp you received at POE is supposed to be accepted by the Social Security office. You do NOT need the wallet-sized "Green Card". Some clerks do not understand this.

Sukie

2017... Still works for me! TYSM for the PDF-link on Social Security! And many related experiences from others here! Appreciate!

[shiggins9 0]

My wife checked to apply for SSN on the DS-260 months ago. We have been waiting for this in the US for 6 weeks.  I'm going into my local office to talk to them.  I've been waiting on the US government for years for various applications.  When can we get on with our lives and start living it?  They're a bunch of paper pushers.

[lagnarek 0]

Hey everyone,

I know it's an old topic, but I was wondering if the problem still existed. I ticked the box on the DS-260 but now seeing this I'm wondering if it's possible to tell the officer at the POE that I don't want it. So I can go get it myself. It might be faster and since I will need my SSN for everything from work to bank account or driving license...

 

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Matthieu

[shiggins9 0]

My wife did manage to get her SS# but it took a long time. We called our local office and after a few people confirmed that the request wasn't in the system, we applied for a new # locally. 

 

The DS-260 shouldn't have that bogus option if it doesn't work, all it does is cause a massive delay as your local SSA may tell you to wait a number of months to "see" if your SS card arrives in the mail at your address. Ours never arrived - but we're good now! Just be polite - the people in our local office were great - very friendly and helpful. 

[rockman 0]

Hi all, 

 

I checked the box on Ds-260 also but had to leave US right after got my greencard for resuming contract job.

Now  the embassy that deals with social security issues is in manila, philliphines. 

Do you think it is reasonable to contact them and let them know I had opted for SSN delivery at my mentioned address so they can fix things up from there. 

Anyone had any similar experiences? 

[SabrinaJerome 52]

Just to confirm that this is indeed STILL happening. My husband did not get his SS card after 3 weeks, and, nope, despite the request on the DS 260, the SS office had not been alerted. He asked for the card there and we got it about a week later.

[Nerizza 0]

Still a problem (although this might be due to the government shutdown)

01/23/19: Arrival in the US
01/28/19: We went to the SS office as instructed by my husband's employer, to check if my data was forwarded by DHS. According to them, even if we checked YES on the SSN portion in the DS-260, problems usually occur with family members/derivatives, not the principal applicant. We were able to apply for mine without filling out an application form (they just photocopied my passport), so I guess the information was indeed forwarded. I was told to expect it in the mail after one week.
02/04/19: Still no SSN after one week. We decided not to call for follow-up since according to the SSA website, it could take up to 2 weeks
Today, still no SSN. Will go back to the SS office tomorrow for any update

[Taaa 125]

Still a problem for us too!!

12/15/18: arrival to US

01/16/19: letter from USCIS for more fingerprints,  Looks like it was a problem with the fingerprints at airport

02/06/19: appointment for fingerprints

still waiting for Social Security Card....

02/13/19: Green Card arrived!!!!

02/19/19: SURPRISE!!!!!! at the SS office we found out that not Social Security Number Issued yet!!! after 2 months of waiting. We were told that to wait another 10 days 

We are still in the sweet waiting time !!!

 

[Nerizza 0]

Update:

Since my post last week, I have yet to receive my card.

02/15/19: Went back to the SS office. According to the SS office employee, my number was generated the same day that I went to the SS office (01/28/19) and my card was mailed. He requested for a new card to be generated since I never received mine. I just asked for my number since I need it to register for an exam
02/21/19: Still no card but at least I have the number

[ahiann8 2]

Our situation too!
Customs/immigration person at POE even said that it's not possible to get SS card sent out automatically (contrary to the DS-260, ha!)... and told us we would have to go in person.

And yeah, green card came 5 weeks after POE but no SS at all...

Thankfully SS card only takes 1-2 weeks and the process was easy