Social Security Update

While he is in the States on a business trip right now, David went into his closest Social Security office (you can find them here: http://s00dace.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html to ask about his number.

Note: They didn't care that he was visiting a SS office miles away from where he'd ever live, so you can pop into any of them anywhere in the country and they can help with this stuff.

And even though he ticked the box on his DS-230 paperwork that said "Yes Please Id like one of those yummy Social Security numbers thank you very much!" - - - they never aplied for it.  So he filled out a few bits of paper right then and there in the office, showed them his pretty green card, and he should get it in the mail (at our US address which for now is my parents) within 2 weeks.

Why even bother ticking that little box if everyone has to go through the process of getting their number anyway? Sigh.

Don't know.. but that's what they did to us too.  That's why I advise the route David just took.  Best not to leave anything you can control in the hands of Homeland Security.

......Nor in the hands of the old INS! This happened to me in '97- I distinctly remember filling in that box and hoping a SSN would come my way and it didn't until we tried it on the off chance just like your David!

Nothing has really changed then 

Glad he got it 'sorted' tho!

Sheril.

Just a side note: If you are in the US and have applied for the number like David did, but you need the number before the card arrives, for opening a bank account etc., you can go to that same office the very next day and get your new number on a printout which will serve it's purpose until the card arrives.

You're right; why even bother providing the box if they're not going to follow through?

Nevertheless, I'm glad that David has taken care of this while in the US.  It will make everything so much easier for you when you all arrive in a few weeks.  With that in place, you guys will be able to just proceed smoothly with everything, from setting up utilities, to getting a driver's license to applying for credit... 

Sara, good luck with everything.  I know that you're up to your neck in the for the next couple of weeks.  Trust me when I say it's survivable!  And, eventually everything DOES fall into place and soon enough, you'll be getting on with a normal life.  All of the chaos will then seem a distant memory!   

PM me ANY time you if you want.