Social Security Card has not arrived after 4 weeks

[anworm 0]

Hi!

Me and my husband got a green card through DV Lottery and we traveled to the US on May 26th to officially validate it. When we filled the DS-260 we requested a SSN and upon our arrival in the US the border officer confirmed that everything was requested and we should receive the card within 2 weeks at the address we provided (a relative's address in NJ). We spent 10 days in the US and then we came back to Portugal. It's been more than 4 weeks and nothing came through yet.

I called the NJ's office twice. No one tells me the status.
The first time, the person just told me to go there and almost hung-up immediately. Second time, the person was more helpful but informed me that I need to enter the US *again*, preferably when I move in, wait three weeks and then go to the Social Security Office and request directly there. 
Our plan was to receive the social security card, apply to jobs and move somewhere beginning next year. Not move and then chase after the number and jobs.

I kinda believe that it may be delayed or may never come, but the part about waiting three weeks makes no sense to me. Based on your experience, should I wait a little longer and see if the card eventually comes (say by the end of august) or should I just start planning a trip to the US to take care of this? Or would it be doable to get the social security number through a US Embassy?

Thanks in advance!

[arken 4,197]

If it hasn't been issued in 4 weeks, it may not come at all. There have been cracks in communication between DHS and SSA. My cousin's SSN arrived in 7 days of his arrival as a DV immigrant last month in NJ as well. 
 

You can't apply for SSN at an embassy. You can wait a few more weeks before traveling and applying in person. That too note that not all SSA offices allow walk in. Appointments could be weeks away in some offices.

 

43 minutes ago, anworm said:

Our plan was to receive the social security card, apply to jobs and move somewhere beginning next year

Were you thinking of traveling back to US in Jan 2023 if SSN had already been issued? That's 7 months from June 2nd week.

Edited July 7, 2022 by arken

[JeanneAdil 6,201]

Us embassy has no influence over SS office and getting the card

if u return ,  u can make an appointment to check on the status of the processing

and sorry the SS officer should have been more formal,  polite and explain that without showing ID ,  they can not give out info on the phone

 

u have a stamp on your passport / visa I 551 that allows u to work immediately

employers do not send in SS withholdings and federal taxes untill the end of each quarter (March quarter due end of April,  2nd due end of July,  3due end of October,   and 4th due end of January )  

this means employer can allow u to start a job while waiting for you to provide SS card by end the quarter u start work

 

and u should not stay out of the US for long as the green card is meant to live here

 

congratulations