Social security number issues

[Andy&Jamie 110]

Hi everyone,

 

I immigrated just over a month ago on December 19th on a CR-1 visa. When I filled in the DS-260, I 100% ticked the option asking for a social security number/card to be produced and sent to me on arrival, yet it's been well over a month and it still hasn't arrived. 

 

I have spoken to the SSA and they claim they haven't received any information regarding me. Apparently my local office is not open for me to come in and I'm on a list to be seen when they reopen, but their waiting list goes all he way back to November 1st. Without my SSN I can't get healthcare, work, or open a bank account.

 

I don't really see why I should have to wait that long considering I did everything I was supposed to and have the screenshot to prove it. The SSA reps I've spoken to keep redirecting me to random places that have no knowledge of what I'm talking about.

 

Any suggestions? This is infuriating. Wouldn't even be a problem if the information was passed on as it should have been.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,467]

Call your local office again.  

 

We did not receive my wife's SSN after her arrival.  We called our local office, which was closed.  They had us fill out and send an SS-5 form along with a copy of the bio and CR1 visa pages of her passport.  A week later, after someone reviewed our application, they scheduled us for an appointment at the local office.  When we got there the security guard verified her name was on that day's list of appointments and let us in.  Only 1 person was in the office.  He reviewed my wife's SS-5 form and asked to see her passport for verification.  We got the SSN card a week later in the mail.

 

I was told there are no regular workers in the SSA office.  They schedule a day for an SSA official to come when and if they get enough people that require in-person appointments.

[Andy&Jamie 110]

49 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

Call your local office again.  

 

We did not receive my wife's SSN after her arrival.  We called our local office, which was closed.  They had us fill out and send an SS-5 form along with a copy of the bio and CR1 visa pages of her passport.  A week later, after someone reviewed our application, they scheduled us for an appointment at the local office.  When we got there the security guard verified her name was on that day's list of appointments and let us in.  Only 1 person was in the office.  He reviewed my wife's SS-5 form and asked to see her passport for verification.  We got the SSN card a week later in the mail.

 

I was told there are no regular workers in the SSA office.  They schedule a day for an SSA official to come when and if they get enough people that require in-person appointments.

Thanks man, we're gonna do that I think. Might have to go to a different local office but the lady from the national SSA contact center said that was okay. The one nearest us has been really unhelpful but we're in a good location to get to several nearby places. Appreciate it!

 

For anyone else that may be reading this - call USCIS. Apparently they sometimes don't send the info out to the SSA until your green card itself actually exists.

[HRQX 4,145]

2 hours ago, Andy&Jamie said:

Without my SSN I can't get healthcare

SSN not required to get healthcare: https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/questions-and-answers-about-reporting-social-security-numbers-to-your-health-insurance-company "You should advise your coverage provider that you do not have an SSN or TIN and give them the date of birth for each covered individual."

2 hours ago, Andy&Jamie said:

work

SSN not required to start employment:

 

Also see: https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/efte/employees_without_ssns.html "It is certainly legal to hire someone who is authorized to work in this country, but who does not have a social security number or who chooses not to disclose it."

 

For employment that uses E-verify system: https://www.e-verify.gov/faq/my-employee-applied-for-a-social-security-number-ssn-but-has-not-yet-received-it-what-should-i "If a newly hired employee has applied for, but has not yet received his or her SSN (e.g., the employee is a newly arrived immigrant), attach an explanation to the employee’s Form I-9 and set it aside. Then create a case in E-Verify using the employee’s SSN as soon as it is available. If you are unable to create a case by the third business day after the employee’s first day of employment, select Awaiting Social Security number when prompted by E-Verify."

[RamonGomez 271]

16 hours ago, HRQX said:

SSN not required to get healthcare: https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/questions-and-answers-about-reporting-social-security-numbers-to-your-health-insurance-company "You should advise your coverage provider that you do not have an SSN or TIN and give them the date of birth for each covered individual."

SSN not required to start employment:

 

Also see: https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/efte/employees_without_ssns.html "It is certainly legal to hire someone who is authorized to work in this country, but who does not have a social security number or who chooses not to disclose it."

 

For employment that uses E-verify system: https://www.e-verify.gov/faq/my-employee-applied-for-a-social-security-number-ssn-but-has-not-yet-received-it-what-should-i "If a newly hired employee has applied for, but has not yet received his or her SSN (e.g., the employee is a newly arrived immigrant), attach an explanation to the employee’s Form I-9 and set it aside. Then create a case in E-Verify using the employee’s SSN as soon as it is available. If you are unable to create a case by the third business day after the employee’s first day of employment, select Awaiting Social Security number when prompted by E-Verify."

In theory this is all true but can still be an enormous, stressful hassle as many have reported.

 

OP keep calling the local offices until they let you come in and apply.