Hi guys,



Just wondering, when is the best time to apply SS # after you get your
EAD card? I read that many ppl who got EAD have to wait quite long time
since their names not in the system yet. Is that right?



If I have to wait for a week or two, thats better than they said to wait
for 3 months!



Thanks.


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

I think it totally depends on BCIS, when they enter you in SAVE
database. In our case, it took them about 8days before they entered me
in SAVE database.

I had applied for SSN the very next day after getting EAD, and SSA
sent the verification to BCIS in mail, but I kept following up with
local SSA office as well as the 1800# (without bugging them) and
requested the lady who worked there to check my status in SAVE. 8th
day, and she found me in SAVE system and then SSA didn't have to
wait for verification results in mail. I received my SSN 5 days
after that in mail.

I would say whenever you go to SSA, politely ask them to check your
alien number in SAVE database.

Hope this helps.

-Janousek


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

What does SAVE mean - Thanks


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Originally posted by mrsm
What does SAVE mean - Thanks



Welcome to the BCIS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements
(SAVE) Program page. The SAVE Program is responsible for administering
BCIS programs involving customer access to information contained in the
Alien Status Verification Index (ASVI) database. This database is a
nationally accessible database of selected immigration status
information on over 60 million records.


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

ray6,

Thanks for the explanation, you learn something new everyday :)


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Originally posted by mrsm
ray6,
Thanks for the explanation, you learn something new everyday :)



With 60 million record, you can understand why a few go astray


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

SAVE stands for - Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements

This database is shared by Immigation, SSA and other Government
agencies.

Therefore when you apply for SSN, the SSA checks your immigration
status, on SAVE database. If they find you there, hurray you're lucky.
However it might take a while , before BCIS updates the records in SAVE
for SSA to access the information to issue you SSN.

Further information about SAVE program can be found here:

http://www.bcis.gov/graphics/services/save.htm

So the bottom line is, when you go to apply for your SSN, ask them to
locate your alien registration number in SAVE. And yes, Mr. McHugh is
right. You can apply for SSN right after you get EAD in hands.



Which BCIS and SSA office you're dealing with anyway?



Hope this helps, Good luck.

-Janousek



----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------

I am not an attorney or legal professional. I learnt about immiogration
process and other issues by surfing the web and most of it on this NG.
The information above is my personal experience/opinion only and must
not be taken as legal advice.


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Janousek,



Before I got my EAD I applied twice in Silver Spring, MD SSA office, but
both time they refused. I need the number because I have ongoing medical
treatment monthly on my husband's. So they need my SS# otherwise they
will stop the treatment.



My husband even asked his boss to write a letter (complete with
letterhead, my status and my need in that letter and the REASON) why I
need the number, but still rejected. I give up. I called SS 1800 and
they said I can get the number and even I know I can, but that STUPID
lady there just said NO. (pardon me, but I think they should educate and
stardardize their own rules and have courses for the staff on matters
like this).



This time I'm going to Wheaton SS Office, I know I won't have any
problem anymore since I will have my EAD. My file transferred from
Vermont to Baltimore.



Just hoping that I will be as lucky as any other person who got their
SS# within 2 weeks.



By the way, any guys who live in Maryland or Virginia that have
good experience with SS Office kindly post your experience, so I
just can go there.



Thanks guys for the great info!


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

All they need is your EAD now. Don't for get to take all the original
supportive documents with you. They would lke to see your passport,
birth certificate and EAD card etc. Your SSN will probably be marked,
"Valid for work only with INS authorization".

There should not be any problem now. I applied for SSN in NC but I know
few people who applied in VA and they didn't have any problem. I wish
you luck. Just go ahead and apply and politely request them to check the
SAVE database, if you're already there.

I think if you use this word, 'SAVE database' they'll think they're
dealing with somebody who knows how the system works and they''ll be
more helpful. Human behaviour - you know what I mean?

Go ahead and search this NG with word 'SAVE', I revall one post by
someone, this lady's husband applied for SSN in Florida. They asked the
clerk to open athe save database on cumputer and asked to check the A#
in system. The clerk was surprised and asked the woman if she worked for
the government.... heheheh

I hope the same works for you too.

Once again Good Luck.

Regards,

-Janousek


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

rzack wrote:
Janousek, Before I got my EAD I applied twice in Silver Spring, MD SSA office, but both time they refused. I need the number because I have ongoing medical treatment monthly on my husband's. So they need my SS# otherwise they will stop the treatment. My husband even asked his boss to write a letter (complete with letterhead, my status and my need in that letter and the REASON) why I need the number, but still rejected. I give up. I called SS 1800 and they said I can get the number and even I know I can, but that STUPID lady there just said NO. (pardon me, but I think they should educate and stardardize their own rules and have courses for the staff on matters like this).

If you do not have work authorization, you need a valid non-work reason for
needing an SSN and about the only one most people have is if your state
requires one to get a driver's license.

SSA does have standardized rules. It's right here:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203510
This time I'm going to Wheaton SS Office, I know I won't have any problem anymore since I will have my EAD. My file transferred from Vermont to Baltimore. Just hoping that I will be as lucky as any other person who got their SS# within 2 weeks.

Just as long as your new status has been updated in SAVE. If not you could
be waiting a while longer for your SSN.
By the way, any guys who live in Maryland or Virginia that have good experience with SS Office kindly post your experience, so I just can go there.

I got paid today, so that was a good experience with SSA. LOL All the SSA
offices in MD and VA are going to be about the same, since they all verify
your document/status through SAVE before your application is certified to
assign your SSN.

Thanks guys for the advice.



For Mike...you bet, before I went to the SSA I print out all the rules
and regulation in their site. I even showed to the lady and she just
'NOPE'...no explanation. I've done my research and did my homework well
except I just went to the wrong place. There is no point you argue with
ppl who are ignorance. (I was not even being rude).



When I got home, I email and call the SS 1800 and they asked me to see
that branch manager coz' very clear stated that I'm eligible for that,
but I don't think I want to waste time with that lady anymore, so I
decided to wait for my EAD and took my medicine for 3 months straight so
I don't have to worry about not getting enough medication.



Well I can see that as long as your data in SAVE then it won't be a
problem, I just hope and hope that BCIS update it for me.


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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

rzack wrote:
Thanks guys for the advice. For Mike...you bet, before I went to the SSA I print out all the rules and regulation in their site. I even showed to the lady and she just 'NOPE'...no explanation. I've done my research and did my homework well except I just went to the wrong place. There is no point you argue with ppl who are ignorance. (I was not even being rude).

Hi All,

Well I'll tell you little story. I took my wife into an SSA office last
week to apply for her unrestricted SSN card and the office pulled some BS on
us. Well the next day I e-mailed the Regional Office in Philadelphia about
what they tried to pull. Well surprise, surprise I got a call from the SSA
office manager this week. So if you think you are being jerked around by
the service rep at the office front desk, ask to speak with the office
manager. If he or she is jerking you around write the Regional Office
that's responsible for that office. Just be sure you know what you are
talking about.


Take care,


Mike :)