Back in 1995, 1997, and 1998 I did J-1 work on summer camps. Would I have received a SSN for that? Back in those days the whole visa and pay/tax issue was shielded from the applicants - we got a sticker in our passports and a bundle of cash (legally!) or a check at the end, and didn't do much else apart from the work itself!

I did try looking it up but I would have to go to my local office (about 3,500 miles away in Maine I guess) with ID etc to get a definitive answer. Just curious really.

SSA is federal... you should have an SSA office near where you live that can answer your question.

Ian

ITYF Maine is probably the nearest SSA office to Swindon!

London is a little closer, yes?

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new...q_fbu_ssn.html

5. I have a Social Security number, but do not remember the number. How can I find out my Social Security number?

Complete the Request for Verification of a Social Security Number (click HERE to download a PDF of SSN Verification - PDF, 216kb). The form can be emailed or mailed to the Federal Benefits Unit, (see: How do I contact the London Federal Benefits Unit?). We will mail you a verification of your Social Security Number within 3 business days.
To ensure your privacy we are unable to disclose the social security number to you by telephone or email.

Okay... that's a whopping great smack on my own forehead followed by "D'Oh!"

Not sure how I missed that tidbit of info!

Ian

London is definitely closer, though any excuse to escape Swindon isn't a bad one

The very cold winters in Minneapolis aren't for everyone, but I certainly see it as an upgrade after 10 years in Swindon
Though rather randomly, next Weds I am going to a talk by an author who writes about Swindon in an alternative universe (Jasper Fforde).

Swindon is an alternative universe

Swindon's not all that bad. Yes, everybody laughs about it but it has everything I need - plenty of real ale, loads of places to eat, even a shopping area, an outlet designer village, plus it's one hour from London and Heathrow,

I can't use that form, Meauxna, it declares death upon those who dare use it if they haven't actually got a number - or words to that effect.

Anyway, I thought maybe someone would say something like "well, you worked there, therefore you must have a SSN". Maybe it's not as simple as that!

Aw, you're right, it's not that bad, we certainly weren't unhappy living there, and there are a lot of lovely parts that people forget about (Lydiard Park, Coate Water). I suppose it's just 'average' (bland is actually the best word I can think of). I am missing the wide choice of Curry Houses that existed even out in the sticks though.
I do remember a few years back when we entertained some of my H's colleagues - an American and a German. We went to Old Town and asked them what sort of food they fancied. Something traditionally English they said - we were stumped So we went for Chinese, and the next night took them out to the 3 Crowns at Brinkworth (this was before The Old Bank opened).

Sorry for the complete tangent, but it's all Bob's fault
The only person I know who did US summer camps (around the same time as you) actually has a US passport, so I'm no help there.
I'm sure there is someone here who can actually sensibly answer your question.

My OH worked at the camps though BUNAC and he said he wasn't allocated a SSN and applied for one when he got his H1B visa. I did Work America and was given a number but then my programme allowed me to work anywhere. Call BUNAC perhaps?

I did CA first then Bunac in the next two years. Oh well, I'm not that bothered - for now!

Thanks all.

Are you kidding me? Did you click through the link?

Good luck Geoff.

Um, yes, that's how I know! (I would have quoted but it's a scanned image PDF and I couldn't be bothered to re-type it verbatim!). Anyway, my dramatics over, it basically asks you for a signed declaration that you already have a SSN.

If I was me, I would contact the FBU at the Embassy. I guess you don't mind waiting til you come to the US.