Concern about SSN after entry to the state

[kritvichu]

I'll be leaving my country to the U.S this weekend. There are lots of things to do when I get there and they all require my SSN number. Indeed, I used to live in the U.S before and I had a Tax ID, which was used like SSN. I don't know the SSN I'm going to receive will be the same number as the Tax ID or not.

As I know, the immigration officer at POE will take my brown envelope, which is used for applying greencard and SSN. During this period, I need to stay put and wait for SSN and greencard at home. Some take few weeks but some take months to receive them. I can wait for greencard but can't wait for SSN to come very late. Many people advised me to go to Social Security Department directly after entry. Here are my questions;

1. Should I wait for SSN or should I go to Social Department right away when I get there?

2.What would happen if I use my previous Tax ID during waiting for SSN? any penalty?

3.If I go to Social Department to apply for SSN by myself, will there be any conflict with the one submitted by the immigration officer through the brown envelope at POE? any penalty?

4.From Q3, if I accidently get 2 SSN, which one should I use? the one I apply by myselt or the one through the brown envelope?

5.Is it likely that my SSN will be the same number as my previous tax ID?

 

[bentlebee]

I can't answer all your questions, but I know for sure that your tax id # isn't similar to the SSN. It is a different number because one has nothing to do with the other although your SSN can be used for taxes, but a tax id.# can't be used for employment. It can be used for opening a bank account, etc...

I don't think yu will get 2 SSN, but I would go to the SSN office and ask them how to proceed to obtain a SSN the fastest and tell them about the DV lottery and already a number has been spoken about in the papers. As far as I know the papers are only asking if you want a SSN and doesn't say that they will provide it. When we applied for a SSN years ago the card came later but we got the number right away...that might have changed due to all the security changes.

All you need is the number at first so you can get started, but for most things you need a credit history and that isn't what a person has when entering the US on a GC....that is what you build over the years by having a credit card so apply as fast as you can. Probably you will have to put money down to get a secured credit card, but do it, that is the only way to build up a credit history, which helps you with renting, buying certain things if you can't pay it out of pocket.