Has anyone started a new job with an extension letter?

[Rocio0010 5,562]

1 hour ago, sweetadams said:

I think you should schedule an appointment with your local SSA office. Some do accept appointment provided you are going to follow COVID protocol. I got an appointment last year Sept, went with all documents and had no issue. I know this depends on local field office. It is worth a shot than sending your documents over to them.

Nop. This doesn’t qualify as an emergency so no in person appt. My worst part is that I live in a small state so they don’t even know what a green card is. So frustrating 

[eckoin 211]

4 hours ago, ra0010 said:

Could you ask them if you could include a certified pre paid envelope? You know. So at least you could have a tracking number. I also asked them if they have a drop off thing where I could take them in person/ pick them up and they said no. Uuuuugh

 

All right guys, here's where we are: 

 

1. Called the main SSA line.  Rep was very nice, a bit confused ("why don't you just send the Canadian passport and that's it?  Oh yeah, I guess it needs to be a U.S. passport").  He told me that based on the POMS section quoted earlier in the thread, the first person I spoke to in my local office appears to be misinformed, and to call them back. 

 

2. Called my local SSA office.  Notes: 

* No in-person appointments; my local office only does those for people with work visas who don't have an SSN at all.  Some other offices also have disability services, case-by-case.  Not for our case, ultimately.

* They have their own in-house notary service, and they 100% need originals.  No ifs or buts, must be originals. 

* Turnaround, at least at my local office, is: (1) receive envelope; (2) don't touch it for 3 days (COVID), (3) open envelope, in-house notary certification, scan originals, mail back - then deal with the request. 

* Told to include a detailed manifest of all documents I am sending and an explanation of my situation and what I'm asking for. 

* Told that it's not a bad idea to include the POMS section just in case, noted earlier in the thread: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211025 (thanks @HRQX!)

* Told that normally, they can use the green card as proof of identity, but because it's expired, they're not allowed to.  So required are: the application form for replacement, expired GC, extension letter, and a government-issued ID.  Apparently I can send in my original Canadian passport as the ID, but advised not to (1. US-issued ID is better, and 2. some ramblings about maybe having to go to Canada because of "the situation", guess they're bored).  I technically have two OR driver's licenses, something about the first one that was sent to me having bad laminate; I asked if I can send them that one even though I technically needed to cut it up, and was told, "it's not like we check with the DMV that it's valid, whatever".  

* Don't need to send the original SSN card with the DHS note, just the things above.

* Asked about including a prepaid certified envelope.  Told that they have an in-house mail room that they use, but if I clearly include in the manifest that I am including a prepaid envelope with a tracking number and to please use it, "I don't see why they wouldn't use it, just makes it easier for them", so take that as you will. 

 

I guess maybe I'll do it.  Kind of sketchy sending this off into the abyss though, so I don't know.  I also asked if I can notarize copies of the GC & extension letter, and was told absolutely not.  Similarly, asked if I can hand them an envelope and like, pick it up next day or whatever, and was laughed at. 

Edited January 13, 2021 by eckoin

[eckoin 211]

Oh, I did also mention that I have to have the green card + extension letter on me at all times, and received a 2 minute monologue about "my neighbor cop who said that they couldn't care less about immigration issues goshdardnit" so no real unity on what the government wants from us.  Not that I carry that stuff with me at all times anyway, I guess. 

[HRQX 4,145]

On 1/12/2021 at 7:43 PM, HRQX said:

A few have reported that they accepted fax. Seems YMMV.

When I posted the above I couldn't quickly find one of the few instances where they have accepted fax, but here is a recent post:

If some offices accept fax then I don't know why they don't accept mailed copies under any circumstances. Or use a more up-to-date method (i.e. online) compared to a fax. Anyways, it seems it can vary per local SSA office.

Edited January 17, 2021 by HRQX