Social Security
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19
Social Security
I would like to hear from any Brittish Immigrants that have experienced difficulty in obtaining SSN. Did anyone have to wait until immigration confirmed status?
#2
Re: Social Security
It is normal to have to wait around 10-15 days since first arrival with your visa before the SSA will have the detail from USCIS.
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19
Re: Social Security
Thanks for that, i seemed to be there for ages before they even figured out the right visa class. Was an interesting experience. Now i have the licence and getting a car and insurance to figure out.
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Boston
Posts: 707
Re: Social Security
The delay was 6 weeks longer than it need to have been, which was a tad of a nightmare. If i had researched properly i would have seen that you are suppose to wait a couple of weeks after arrival to then apply.
Other than that no other issues to declare
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Social Security
What is the right wording to ask whether I'm "in the system" (maybe that's it?) rather than provoking a lengthy manual exercise like David's?
After all, I don't want to wait 10 days and then find that I'm still not in the system and have caused problems by asking the wrong thing too early!
After all, I don't want to wait 10 days and then find that I'm still not in the system and have caused problems by asking the wrong thing too early!
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Social Security
I waited a couple of weeks and went and they gave me my number, the card came a few weeks later.
#7
Re: Social Security
What is the right wording to ask whether I'm "in the system" (maybe that's it?) rather than provoking a lengthy manual exercise like David's?
After all, I don't want to wait 10 days and then find that I'm still not in the system and have caused problems by asking the wrong thing too early!
After all, I don't want to wait 10 days and then find that I'm still not in the system and have caused problems by asking the wrong thing too early!
Rene
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19
Re: Social Security
that makes much more sense, the clerk kept telling me that there was a conflict. We tried everything from changing dates, letters for numbers and so on. In the end - after 3 hours she said, i'm baffled - we'll just send it to immigration and then you will be ok. Knightmare. Now i have the whole issue at the DMV "Have you got your SSn" you can imagine my reply.
#10
Re: Social Security
And the benefit of waiting the 10 days to be "in the system", they don't have to send out for manual verification to find your details in the system, which is what extends the process into taking around 6 odd weeks.
#11
Re: Social Security
I'm moving to Florida early next month (IR-1). I have a Social Security number from when I was on a J1 visa many years ago. I did tick on the DS-230 II that I would like a replacement card as, though I do still have my old card, it is in my maiden name and it's marked 'not authorised for work with out INS approval'.
I wonder if I should still wait the 10 days before going to the SS office or if the fact I do already have a SSN makes a difference?
Also do they issue a new card at the office or just confirm the number?
Thanks
Colette
I wonder if I should still wait the 10 days before going to the SS office or if the fact I do already have a SSN makes a difference?
Also do they issue a new card at the office or just confirm the number?
Thanks
Colette
#12
Re: Social Security
I'm moving to Florida early next month (IR-1). I have a Social Security number from when I was on a J1 visa many years ago. I did tick on the DS-230 II that I would like a replacement card as, though I do still have my old card, it is in my maiden name and it's marked 'not authorised for work with out INS approval'.
I wonder if I should still wait the 10 days before going to the SS office or if the fact I do already have a SSN makes a difference?
Also do they issue a new card at the office or just confirm the number?
Thanks
Colette
I wonder if I should still wait the 10 days before going to the SS office or if the fact I do already have a SSN makes a difference?
Also do they issue a new card at the office or just confirm the number?
Thanks
Colette
Someone who has no SSN and ticks that box, usually gets a SS card in the mail automatically within about a month after arrival in the USA. It's not necessary to go to the office in person unless the SS card never shows up.
In your case, I'd wait 4 to 6 weeks after your arrival in the USA. If you receive a new SS card in the mail, and it's got the SAME number as your old card, then you're good to go. If it has a NEW number, you need to go in person to SS to straighten it out. If you don't receive any card, then go in person to SS with your old card, and have them update your record to your new immigrant status, and issue a new card w/o the "INS approval" legend on it.
Did you include your SSN on any of the immigration forms that might have asked for the number?
Rene
#13
Re: Social Security
or in my case wait 15 days and then discover that your still not in the system (3rd party contractors fault apparently). Took about 5 weeks from arriving to get SSN
Still didn't stop me opening bank account/credit card etc...
Still didn't stop me opening bank account/credit card etc...
#14
Waiting for GC
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 124
Re: Social Security
Myhusband went to the office the day after he arrived.They said he wasn't in the system yet (can you believe they still input the data from I-94s manually) but told him to call in 2 weeks and they would tell him his SSN.Then he was able to go and get his drivers license. The SSN card arrived after about 5 weeks.
Of course, even if you aren't eligible for a SSN you can still get a drivers license. Just show that your visa means your not eligible for a SSN.
Of course, even if you aren't eligible for a SSN you can still get a drivers license. Just show that your visa means your not eligible for a SSN.
#15
Waiting for GC
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 124
Re: Social Security
We had a US bank account for 3 years before we lived here.
What credit card did you manage to get? A secured one?