Application for Social Security Number Refused

[FKEdwards 23]

My now wife arrived to the States on October 3, 2021 on her K1. Her I-94 expires December 31, 2021. Our local SSA office operates by appointments only. We applied for an appointment on October 18th and received an appointment for November 22nd. At the appointment, my wife filed her application and documents for a SSN and was told she’d receive her card within 4 weeks. On December 23rd we received a letter stating that she could not be issued a SSN because her legal immigration status will expire prior to the time an SSN can be issued. This is quite frustrating as the only reason this is the case is because of the SSA’s delays. We traveled over the Christmas weekend so didn’t see the notice until this evening. We plan to call tomorrow to dispute the conclusion (as directed in the letter).

 

Has anyone had a similar experience and, if so, what action(s) did you take to overcome the SSA’s determination?

[SalishSea 17,921]

3 minutes ago, FKEdwards said:

My now wife arrived to the States on October 3, 2021 on her K1. Her I-94 expires December 31, 2021. Our local SSA office operates by appointments only. We applied for an appointment on October 18th and received an appointment for November 22nd. At the appointment, my wife filed her application and documents for a SSN and was told she’d receive her card within 4 weeks. On December 23rd we received a letter stating that she could not be issued a SSN because her legal immigration status will expire prior to the time an SSN can be issued. This is quite frustrating as the only reason this is the case is because of the SSA’s delays. We traveled over the Christmas weekend so didn’t see the notice until this evening. We plan to call tomorrow to dispute the conclusion (as directed in the letter).

 

Has anyone had a similar experience and, if so, what action(s) did you take to overcome the SSA’s determination?

There is nothing you can do, if they cannot get to the application until after her I-94 is within 14 days of expiring, or whatever.  You will have to wait for the EAD.

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from AOS from K1 Visas to SSN forum ***

 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,467]

Unfortunately, you got caught in Bureaucratic That-Place-That-Has-Scorching-Weather-And-That-Dude-That-Pushes-That-Rock-Uphill.

 

There is nothing you can do to contest SSA's findings.  You now have to wait for the EAD to get the SSN.

 

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

There's unfortunately nothing to dispute. Even if they would say that they just forgot about it ( which is pretty sure not the case ) it's simply too late now. Even if you would have been at home when the letter arrived it was already too late. You can call and argue with SSA but nothing that can be done now.

[FKEdwards 23]

Thank you everyone for the replies. It’s frustrating but in the grand scheme of things (and considering what we’ve endured just to get to this point) not that big of a deal…nor honestly that surprising.😒

I just feel bad because she needs an SSN to get a driver’s license, and I know that is very important for her sense of autonomy. It’ll be ok though. 

[aaron2020 11,651]

8 minutes ago, FKEdwards said:

Thank you everyone for the replies. It’s frustrating but in the grand scheme of things (and considering what we’ve endured just to get to this point) not that big of a deal…nor honestly that surprising.😒

I just feel bad because she needs an SSN to get a driver’s license, and I know that is very important for her sense of autonomy. It’ll be ok though. 

What state requires an SSN for a driver's license?  Never heard of this.  

[FKEdwards 23]

4 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

What state requires an SSN for a driver's license?  Never heard of this.  

We are in Maryland. But perhaps we misunderstood the requirements which would be great news. I’ll check again.

[aaron2020 11,651]

8 minutes ago, FKEdwards said:

We are in Maryland. But perhaps we misunderstood the requirements which would be great news. I’ll check again.

You need an SSN for a Real ID compliant DL.

 

For non-US citizens, you can get a regular DL that's not Real ID compliant.

 

For examples, many international students don't have SSN.  They live here for years.  They qualify for DL.  

[K1visaHopeful 2,840]

16 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

What state requires an SSN for a driver's license?  Never heard of this.  

Many.

 

[FKEdwards 23]

1 minute ago, aaron2020 said:

You need an SSN for a Real ID compliant DL.

 

For non-US citizens, you can get a regular DL that's not Real ID compliant.

 

For examples, many international students don't have SSN.  They live here for years.  They qualify for DL.  

Thank you that is great news! 

[aaron2020 11,651]

3 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Many.

 

An SSN is needed for a Real ID.  An SSN is not needed for a DL.  There's a distinction between the two.  

 

If an SSN was required for a DL, then international students living in the US for years would not be able to legally drive.  

[carmel34 3,639]

13 hours ago, FKEdwards said:

I just feel bad because she needs an SSN to get a driver’s license, and I know that is very important for her sense of autonomy. It’ll be ok though. 

Depending on the state, even with a SSN she may need proof of legal residence as well.  Sometimes an adjustment of status receipt is not enough for a DL.  When the EAD arrives she should qualify for a DL in every state, it is likely that the expiration date on the DL will match the expiration of the EAD.  Good luck!

[P055UM 286]

14 hours ago, aaron2020 said:

An SSN is needed for a Real ID.  An SSN is not needed for a DL.  There's a distinction between the two.  

 

If an SSN was required for a DL, then international students living in the US for years would not be able to legally drive.  

In my state, if you are eligible for an SSN (as K1's are), then there is no path to obtaining a DL without an SSN. Students and other relevant visa holders may drive for up to a year without a US DL, however K1's are considered resident and therefore have to get a DL in 60 days like everybody else.

 

And yeah, when it comes, it is not REAL compliant. And it only lasts for one year. Sigh.

 

@FKEdwards sorry about what you're going through. I totally get the point about autonomy.

Edited December 28, 2021 by AW1704

[Demise 1,295]

16 hours ago, aaron2020 said:

What state requires an SSN for a driver's license?  Never heard of this.  

Basically all of them except for a few that grant licenses to undocumented immigrants like Washington state or New York. Most others will require an SSN or a letter from SSA that you are not eligible to receive an SSN because reasons.