Social Security Number (SSN) Delay

[pns]

Hi...

I have an H1 Visa since October and have arrived in the country in early December. I immediately applied for a new SSN and was told that I should have it by the 20th. The receipt said that it usually takes up to 4 weeks.

These 4 weeks have now been elapsed and meanwhile the SSA office where I applied has been telling me that my application has not yet cleared with Homeland Security. As a matter of fact, yesterday they told me that they have sent 3 reminders to Homeland Security and received no answer thus far, which, according to them, is a sign that the application is not getting cleared.

Therefore, they (the local SSA office) told me that they will reject my application this Friday, having elapsed 30 days since I applied and no extension can be given.

I am a European, from a NATO country and, needless to say, without any suspicious activities or plans. The only thing that may have raised an alarm is that I have traveled a lot during the past 10 years, but that was on business and mostly within Europe.

Does anyone have (or knows of) a similar experience and suggestions on how I go about from here?

The local SSA office has told me that I can reapply, but is there any timing limitation or maximum number of times one could do so? Do Homeland Security allow for an interview to clear things?

Is there anything I could do to by Friday avoid having my SSN application rejected by the local SSA office?

Thanks and Happy New Year to everyone! :-)

[pns]

I discovered a potential cause of delay, i.e. my first name was spelled slightly differently (1 letter difference) in the I-797 form of the DHS, compared to everywhere else (passport, I-94, SSN application, etc.).

However, all other pieces of personal information on the I-797 are identical to the other documentation I have submitted.

Could such a small difference (1 letter in the first name) cause such a delay (5 weeks already)?

Hi...

I have an H1 Visa since October and have arrived in the country in early December. I immediately applied for a new SSN and was told that I should have it by the 20th. The receipt said that it usually takes up to 4 weeks.

These 4 weeks have now been elapsed and meanwhile the SSA office where I applied has been telling me that my application has not yet cleared with Homeland Security. As a matter of fact, yesterday they told me that they have sent 3 reminders to Homeland Security and received no answer thus far, which, according to them, is a sign that the application is not getting cleared.

Therefore, they (the local SSA office) told me that they will reject my application this Friday, having elapsed 30 days since I applied and no extension can be given.

I am a European, from a NATO country and, needless to say, without any suspicious activities or plans. The only thing that may have raised an alarm is that I have traveled a lot during the past 10 years, but that was on business and mostly within Europe.

Does anyone have (or knows of) a similar experience and suggestions on how I go about from here?

The local SSA office has told me that I can reapply, but is there any timing limitation or maximum number of times one could do so? Do Homeland Security allow for an interview to clear things?

Is there anything I could do to by Friday avoid having my SSN application rejected by the local SSA office?

Thanks and Happy New Year to everyone! :-)

[kabkaba]

Yes, incorrect or inconsistent name is specially problematic in SSN applications.

[pns]

This is really strange, for just 1 letter of the first name and with all other documentation consistent. Even stranger, they never seem to tell you or ask you to provide verification.

Anyway, I called the Department of Homeland Security (the relevant agency is USCIS), provided the I-797 receipt code, answered the security questions and they accepted the correction over the phone.

They also told me that it takes 1-2 weeks for the change to be updated, so the next move will be to ask the SSA office to send them a reminder quoting specifically the correction, just in case things can be accelerated.

Thanks for the reply. :-)

Yes, incorrect or inconsistent name is specially problematic in SSN applications.

[eaumar]

Social Security Number

Obtain Brand new Social Security Number for you .You can receive a new SCN/CPN which can be used to start a new clean credit fileUses For A SCN/CPNYou can use your new SCN Number for anything that would normally require credit reporting purposes.Use to get Bank Accounts,credit cards, personal loans, Auto loans, apartments, utilities, cable, cell phones, etc. However,This number does not replace your social security number and should not be used for any government purposes such as but not limited to: Military, Child support, DSS, Income/SSI, Taxes, FHA, VA, or any government backed funding.
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[krisjans]

SSN status

Did you finally get SSN? What is the reason for delay ?

I am in similar situation today.