Simon-in-Chicago

This is doing my head in. My job moved to the US and I went with on an H1B1 visa, which required a few hoops to jump through.
So far so good, then the nightmare started, getting a social security number (you cant do jack sh** here without a ssn eg apartment, car getting paid etc etc). I went to the Social Security office and filled out the registration form, only to be told they would sit on it until i'd been here 10 days, then it would be processed.
Even then they have to contact Home Land Security to vouch my visa, I was told that would take a day or so. Now I am told it could take upto 4 week! What a complete farce, I called Home Land security and they said if I went to an info... meeting then they could fax the social people. so I go there in downtown chicago and they look me up on their system and confirm I'm OK, BUT they cant fax the social people.........ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I'm then told to go to the city centre social office as they know what they are doing, so after an hour's wait I talk to a lady who says my application has been lodged and there's nothing they can do until the HomeLand people come "might take 4 weeks Honey". So I'm working here and cant get paid, cant have my medical, drug test and cant find a place to live, what a complete joke. Any ideas?

augigi

This is why you wait 10-14 days after arriving before applying but I guess that doesn't help you right now.

I would just put in a new application. Then you should be able to go back after 24hrs and get a printout with your SSN on it, although you have to wait about a week for the card to be mailed to you.

meauxna

You can be paid without the number as long as you have applied (and are eligible, which you are). Have a word with HR or post back if they can't figure it out. The instructions are on ssa.gov