Sorry for the inconsistent updates. I’ve discovered that making a new life isn’t quite as straight-forward as I’d thought.

Anywho, where’d we leave off… oh right. I got a job.

Thing is, when you get a job, you need to give them your Social Security Number (if you want to get paid, at least).

Remember when I was talking about that little box I checked stating I’d like them to give me an SSN as soon as I entered the country? And they said they would mail it to me?

Yeah. That never happened.

I waited, and waited… waited so long that I couldn’t even get my first paycheck. That was no good. I wanted my money! So I went into the Social Security office downtown to see what was up.

I got there as soon as they opened so I went to the desk almost immediately. I told the man working there about my situation – how I had recently immigrated here, had asked for an SSN on my visa application,  still hadn’t gotten one. He thought that was odd, so he looked me up in the system.

No record of me. Ever.

Great! I was in shock, and more than a little angry. That usually makes it hard for me to get out a sentence so I just kind of stared at him with an odd, twisted expression until he (probably more than a little frightened by my show of emotion) told me that this happens quite a bit.

Well that’s wonderful! Why did no one tell me this happens often before? Instead of idly waiting for my card to appear in my mailbox I could have gone straight to the office and made sure it was on its way!

The only thing I could do at that point was order a new one. Luckily I had thought to bring the greencard stamped in my passport as well as other identifying documents so that went smoothly. After I completed the application, the man told me to expect the card in about two weeks.

Two weeks?! But… my money!

I asked him if there was any way to get my number sooner, stressed again how much I wanted my paycheck, and he said I could check back tomorrow and they would give me the number on the spot (as long as I had my proper identification, of course). Phew.

So to close, when immigrating here it’s fine and dandy to check the box for an SSN, but don’t trust that one will come! Go to your l0cal Social Security office soon after you arrive to make sure that it’s being processed, and if it isn’t get it rolling! Not only will you need it for a job, but you need it for bank accounts, utilities, credit applications, and the list goes on and on. Life has been so much easier since I got mine!