SSN issue

[xl088]

I filed my SSN application with EAD three months ago. But I do not receive any notice until now. Every time I called the social security office, they always said that they were waiting for the result from INS.

How do I know if INS processes my case? Which INS office do they process the checking for SSN, the service center or the local office? Can I write a letter to the director of the local SSO? How can I do for my SSN except waiting?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Pork Chop]

It seems that there have been reports of a lot of confusion at some SSA offices on how to go about issuing a social security number to an alien on EAD.

The INS has nothing to do with SSA/SSNs, and if an SSA office has sent some form of verification/validation request to INS, they might have to wait for a reply until hell freezes over.

It seems that the situation at local SSA offices differs from location to location. Notably, in some university towns, where there is always a large (legal) alien population, the SSA offices are more aware of immigration laws and procedures, and will accept an application for a social security card without any problems.

I don't know if this is worth a shot, but you could try and apply at a university town SSA office, giving a friend's local address.

You could also definitely try and get in touch with the director of the local SSA office.

 

[xl088]

Thanks so much!

I wonder if I can apply SSN again at another local office.

 

[Pork Chop]

This is one of those tricky situations...

... where you need to be careful before doing anything. checking with a lawyer would be a good idea.

just to give you some insight into the SSN application/approval process, as best as i have been able to glean from our own experience, here is how it works:

it seems that it is the responsibility of the local SSA office to verify the eligibility and genuineness of an application. once the local office is satisfied, the case is forwarded to a central/regional office, which assumes that everything about the case has already been validated by the forwarding local office, and simply issues the SSN, prints out the card and mails it to the applicant.

in most cases in the good old days (read that: pre-9/11), the local SSA official would just look at your original documents (passport, I-94, H-1 and/or EAD), and once satisfied that you were both eligible, and the dox looked genuine enough, only then accept your application. once accepted, it was forwarded immediately to the central office for processing.

now, it seems many local offices have taken the validation business all too seriously, and have taken it upon themselves to also check with the INS. i can bet that your application is still stuck at the local office, and they won't forward it to the central office until they hear back from INS, or decide that no news is good news

this still does not answer your question, should you apply again at a different local SSA office? i am not recommending that you do, or that you don't. please check with a lawyer before you make up your mind.

good luck!