Interview, moving back, and getting SS number

Im sure it'll be such a huge help that you'll be around

Hey mars! Im here in the US now, everthing went through fine. We've been here for like 4 days so ill wait a week or so for the SSN to come through. I really hope it comes through, I think im ruled out of doing jsut about anything since that SSN is so important. Cant get my drivers license, cant get a gun, cant get a bank card, cant even get my damned fishing license! Anyway I still have my x-ray so I think ill take a look at that tonight. Ill make sure i tape it back up properly, just in case they need it one day Have you had any news back on your SSN?

a gun? only 4 days and you already need a gun?

Havent you heard? Guns are the american way! When in Rome... lol

King, if you go for your SSN now it wont be a problem. We did it a couple of days after we set foot in the country. No wrist slapping involved. You'll have to go through your local SSA - the American Citizen Services - Federal Benefits Unit at the Embassy in London only offers services to green card holders and citizens present in the UK. So if you want that SSN go for it

I've always liked guns, hell my dad in law here in the US bought me a gun before I even lived here. I just want another one! Thanks Mars, though will my temporary passport stamp be sufficient for the SSN? I havent received my green card so far

Well it does my heart good to read about all of you and see how well you're progressing! A home, a job...a social security number! 

I can only hope we get there one day...sigh. Will this freakin' thing ever go through? I miss my hubby!  :\\\'(

Good luck to everyone in each stage of the repat process! I may not write nearly as often as I should, but please know that you have all been a tremendous source of info, support and probably the best expertise out there!

Keep us up to date on your experiences everybody!
Brooke 

You'll get it all sorted eventually Brooke! And my my how good it will feel when you do

King, just truck on over to the SSA with your passport. The temporary "green card" stamp is totally sufficient. You can come and go on that, show your authorization to work, apply for an SSN etc. Its just as valid as your actual green card for the next year. At the Houston SSA they didnt bat at eye lid when Mart handed over the passport rather than the card (didnt have it yet either). Let us know how it goes if you decide to go for it.

Oh, just a tip - take a pen with you or download the form from the SSA website and fill it out before you go so youre not stuck trying to fill it out on your knee in a hard plastic chair. Might also care to take a book and a bottle of water if its anything like the Houston SSA office! Hot and boring.

Hello peeps, just an update on what has happened: Today I went to the Social Security office, but for some reason they found nothing when they entered the number from my temp green card stamp in my passport into the system. Kind of strange since i've been here 2 weeks, so the lady told me she would forward my information to immigration and call me back within a week. Hopefully I will then get my number then my card shortly after. Just thought it was strange though that I wasnt cleared on the system yet :/ Getting bored at checking the mail everyday! 

Bummer  Oh well - look on the bright side! While you are waiting for the card, you can come to UKY and play . Enjoy your time off - you will be back to work soon!!

Thats totally strange! Youre supposed to be cleared through the system in 24 hours so it SHOULD have been done in two weeks, surely. I hate to say it, but maybe the people who get their SSN without hassle are the minority.

Hope everything gets sorted soon. Keep on their ass to prevent you case from getting set aside and forgotten about! Keep us posted too. Best of luck.

Sarah

Ok went to the Federal Benefits Unit today at the Embassy. It took all of 5 minutes to get into the Embassy itself, and another 5 to take care of both my Social Security Paperwork (name change, card reissued) and Martins (duplicate card, get SSN). So in about 15 minutes Martin and I were in and out and with a fresh printout of his Social Security Number reccord in our pockets. FINALLY!! We know his SSN. The lady there was very nice and said the card would be with us in about 3 weeks (to our UK address) but she could give him the number on the spot (we didnt know what it was because the original card was lost in the post). So thank you very much to the FBU at the Embassy. Lovely people - very helpfull.

Great news Sarah Must be comforting to get that ever elusive SSN at last! Still waiting for news on mine, though I got my greencard today! I dont know if this is what normally happens, but I had 3 yes 3 envelopes in the mail today that had identical contents ie welcome to the USA, you have 2 years to stay here etc blah blah. Then i had a separate envelope for my white "green" card. Did anyone else get 3 letters? Its like I wait 18 days, hear nothing then get 3 of the same thing in the same day Hopefully my SSN will be issued to me soon, then everything will be fine and dandy. 

Well I dont know what got sent exactly cos mom would have only sent me the "green" card. So I cant say really. Its very strange that they sent you 3 of the same thing. Well at least you didnt get 3 green cards. Youd have a problem on your hands then!

Sorry to hear no news on your SSN yet. Keep them on the phone to make sure theyre handling your case

Sarah

Ok well some goods new at last I phoned up Social Security and spoke to a man who was totally unhelpful and decided to tell me to check back in 2 weeks and they might have my number!! I've been here 4 weeks and he wants me to wait another 2 - 3! So there I am, a little crushed but a coupel of hours later I get another call from the lady i spoke to when i went to the office and she told me i could pick up my number the next day! So I did! So far i've used my SSN to get my Driving Permit! Im already applying for jobs too, so things seem to be fitting nicely into place! Hooray!

*CHEERCHEER* Hooray!! Im so glad that she ACTUALLY got back to you! Congrats on getting your SSN! Youre on your way now Keep us posted!!

And then, KingBeast posted this:

(sorry I'm quoting you, but I accidentally chopped this post up while cleaning house.

Ahem: So sayeth KingBeast:

Thanks for the congrats everyone  So do you think I should call Social Services to try and get my number, or the Embassy in London? Or somewhere else? I just checked the social security website and they basically say that if you dont get your number in 3 weeks you can call them, im guessing if i call thme earlier they'll just slap me on the wrist and tell me to wait. Meanwhile i've been enjoying the US though  Bought a car, going fishing most days and generally just making the most of my temporary unemployment. Oh also if any of you guys know of a good medical insurance company to go with then let me know. Or is medical insurance State by State rather than country wide? Im such a newb to the US