Originally posted by speedyvespa
> Went to the Social Security office today in St. Paul to chase up my
> application which I made in September, armed with the receipt number
> given on that visit. I'd been previously advised that it was my EAD
> processing that was all that needed in order to complete my
> application, and the SSA were awaiting confirmation that this had
> been done.
> Before my visit today (just to backtrack a little), I rang to see if
> they could tell me over the phone. Much to my alarm, the operator
> couldn't find any trace of my application - he even asked me what the
> person who dealt with my original application looked like so he could
> chase it up with her. This was not filling me with confidence.
> The lady who dealt with me was very courteous and helpful, gawd bless
> her. She did a session of stabbing at her keyboard and scowling at the
> monitor, and then announced that because it had been over 60 days
> since I made the original application, it had 'fallen off' the system
> and a new application would have to be made. Fortunately for me, she
> could expedite my case by mailing the BCIS directly - she said it was
> unacceptable that I should have waited over 30 days, let alone 60, 90,
> 100+ days. She rewrote my application online while I was there, took a
> print of my passport, I-94 and EAD, and told me that I would have my
> card within 2 weeks, even if she had to walk to Chicago herself and
> demand the BCIS do something. However, she said that they are very
> good with dealing with expedited cases of this variety and it usually
> takes a week.
> The conclusion of this tale is this: if I hadn't have chased up my
> application by physically visiting the local office, my application
> would have been in limbo. The SSA have a 60-day drop-dead processing
> timeframe, and the BCIS aren't expected to process an EAD until
> between 60 and 90 days. She informed me that if the BCIS respond with
> confirmation that an EAD has been granted, then the SSA have no
> application case to apply it to.
> Somebody isn't talking to somebody else.
> Moral of the story - not sure, other than don't assume the system is
> working without your constant intervention.
> - Mark
> P.S. She also told me that although an application for a driver's
> license states that a SSN must be provided, the Minnesota DMV
> will issue one with any two 'prime' forms of identification - in
> my case, my EAD and a passport, though there are other acceptable
> documents. She seems to believe that provided you can prove
> beyond any doubt that you are who you say you are, then they're
> not particular about getting an SSN. I will be putting this to
> the test in the next few days - stay tuned.
FYI Mark, that happened to me about the SSN-when I changed from maiden
to married name 3 years ago my application (which had been done in
person at the local SSA office) somehow fell thru the cracks. I called
and spoke with a very sympathetic and about her business gal. She made
an appointment for me and we did a new appication- I got a letter from
her telling me if I hadn't received it in 2 weeks to let her know- I got
it in a week! A pity she couldn't have been cloned.