Social Security Office sucks!!!

[ladybutterfly 0]

Just wanted to have a rant about my local Social Security Office. This is the second time I have been there now where the staff have been so darned rude to me! I went along this morning as I wanted to change my social security number into my married name. I have been waiting patiently for my EAD to come as when I went last time my I-94 was five days from expiring and they couldnt do it. Anyways, I thought that because I already had a SSN it wouldnt be too much of a problem to change my name, how wrong I was! Because I have only just received my EAD the lady (if i can call her that!!!) said she couldnt change my name cause my immigration status wasnt in the computer system and to come back in ten days. I was trying to explain to her that I would rather go through the manual process as coming back in ten days means having to visit this office once again and then having to wait in line, etc. She just completely ignored me, pushed my papers back to me and repeated what she had just said. After several attempts of saying I would rather go through the manual system and several attemps of her telling me to come back she finally listened to me and reluctantly took the papers back again. I could see it was a big effort for her to do this as she had to get off her chair and photocopy some of my documents! Then when she was finally done she said that because we are doing it this way I am not allowed to work until my new card comes through! Surely thats not the case? My EAD is valid and started on Feb 6th? And the social security number stays the same throughout the name change. If that wasnt it, I then asked her to have my SSN card back. She said 'no' I couldnt have it back. I got out my piece of paper from MD Youngs link trying to quote to her that if I wanted the card back I could have it back, but again, she wasnt listening to me so I asked to speak to a supervisor. She made me sit back down and then my name was called again. No supervisor, just the rude woman who eventually gave me my card back and said once again that I couldnt work until my new card comes through! Tell me it isnt so?!?

Anyway, enough of my rant, im just so annoyed by it all. Just when you think things are coming together with this whole immigration process you get more complications and it doesnt help when you have to deal with rude staff! Grrrr, I wish I had just kept my original name, it would be so much easier!

[mawilson 2,133]

She made me sit back down and then my name was called again. No supervisor, just the rude woman who eventually gave me my card back and said once again that I couldnt work until my new card comes through! Tell me it isnt so?!?

It isn't so

With a valid EAD card, you're as good as gold.

[Lou Lou 1]

I kept my own name. Hubby's just wasn't cool enough to change to and that's really the only reason I would have wanted to I also needed to keep it for professional reasons tho. Saves a whole lot of unecessary hassle

[Peggy 1]

I cant wait to see what they say to me when I go to change to my married name.

My EAD was approved on the 27th, so I am going to go there sometime next week to change it. Plus my son will be able to get his SSN, now that he has his EAD.

[samsbs 0]

Rudeness seems to be the norm rather than the exception with the SSA. We are going to try it one more time tomorrow, but now we are armed with a brand new green card.

[wally 0]

our SSA office is the same way. Not that it's a busy place, just that it's a small town and either those people are really ignorant of the system or just can't be bothered. They sure seem nice to the seniors though.

[I'm Gone 60]

Which SSA office was this? Your EAD card is what authorizes you to work, not your SSN. Now you going to have to work under your maiden name until the SSN record is corrected, but you can work. If I hadn't have let you know you could have kissed your SSN card goodbye.

BTW did you get a reference number? Should start with 06059 Year 06 / number day of the year 059 That way you know she entered the application into the system.

Edited March 1, 2006 by mdyoung

[xtin 0]

ladybutterfly,

i know how you feel. i experienced same thing thing last year but my mistake i did not copy mdyoung's post & they did took my SSn card. it took me couple of frustrating phone calls & months before i got my new SSN card but I did work before I receive my card. I ask them to write a letter that states that I have SSN & they have taken my card. And it works, the hospital accepted my application w/ my EAD& they ask me to show it to them once I will get my new SS card. just hang on there, take a deep breath & have more patience. I know its different in england.

good luck!!!

[ladybutterfly 0]

Which SSA office was this? Your EAD card is what authorizes you to work, not your SSN. Now you going to have to work under your maiden name until the SSN record is corrected, but you can work. If I hadn't have let you know you could have kissed your SSN card goodbye.

BTW did you get a reference number? Should start with 06059 Year 06 / number day of the year 059 That way you know she entered the application into the system.

This was the office in El Cajon, on the outskirts of San Diego, California. I did get a reference number thank god, and I just want to thank you for all the useful information you have about Social Security. How do you know all this stuff? Did you used to work for them?

[snz1802 0]

Isn't if ridiculous how some government workers think they have the power of God and can treat you however they wish, they are just regular people just like us, trying to live their lives, it is a pitty that so many of them have to be bitter mean people.

[Ephesia 0]

ladybutterfly, I am so sorry you had such a difficult time at your SS office. But I have to agree with you and the others that if not for mdyoung's help, I would have been ignorant of a lot of aspects of the SSN application process too.

mdyoung, I went to apply for my unrestricted card on Mon and the guy initially said I would still need to show him my passport even though I had my green card in front of him. I told him, "No, sir, I was specifically told that I would only require the SS-5 form and my green card." He went to check a folder that seemed to hold instructions, and came back to say I was right. He took my form, printed out a receipt for me and told me my new card will be in the mail within 2 weeks.

mdyoung, you rock.

Edited March 1, 2006 by Ephesia

[I'm Gone 60]

This was the office in El Cajon, on the outskirts of San Diego, California. I did get a reference number thank god, and I just want to thank you for all the useful information you have about Social Security. How do you know all this stuff? Did you used to work for them?

This one?

846 ARNELE

EL CAJON CA 92020-9738

PHONE: 619 440 2943

FAX: 619 440 5054

[ladybutterfly 0]

This was the office in El Cajon, on the outskirts of San Diego, California. I did get a reference number thank god, and I just want to thank you for all the useful information you have about Social Security. How do you know all this stuff? Did you used to work for them?

This one?

846 ARNELE

EL CAJON CA 92020-9738

PHONE: 619 440 2943

FAX: 619 440 5054

Yep, thats the one! Lots of rude, ignorant workers there! Apart from the security lady at the door, she is really nice!

[eau_xplain 2]

I'm sorry to hear that you've had unfortunate dealings with your local SSA. I guess we've been lucky since the people in our local SSA have been very professional whenever we've gone in. The wait is a bit long but I just bring a good book with me and it's not too bad (and it's interesting to people-watch too).

[kc456 0]

About not being able to work is BS. I started a new job while my SSN name change was still in process (manual verification), and it was not a problem at all. I pointed out to HR that my SSN may still be under the maiden name, but that did not raise a brow. All they wanted to see was my EAD.