A visit to the Social Security Administration

A couple days delayed, but got a little bit busy over the weekend.

Day number 2, Friday consisted of a visit to the Social Security Administration  (SSA) in order to apply for a Social Security Number. The Social Security Number (SSN) acts as the equivalent of your Tax File Number and is important if you ever wish to deal with any level of government as it is pretty much the equivalent of a national identification card/number. So it seems people in the US are just numbers in the grand scheme of things. And I have just applied to be one.

Before leaving Australia, i checked the SSA website and pre-completed the SSN application. Turns out this wasn't absolutely necessary but it did save me filling it out when at the SSA office.

So on Friday, I went for a walk to the nearest SSA office which was a 8km walk (5mile) each way. The best advice I could give is to get there early. The office opens at 9am, and I got there at 10am. This was about an hour too late. The office was already very busy when I got there, and the entire process ended up taking about 2.5 hours. Of which, 2.3 hours was waiting in a chair. So take a book!

When I got to the SSA office, there was a line to "check in", where they simply give you a number and make sure that you have whichever form you need to complete as part of the actual interview process. As I had already completed the form prior to my arrival, I didnt need to complete it again and took my seat.

During the 2+ hour wait, the security guard on premise reminded everyone multiple times that phones must be on silent/vibrate, and any rowdy kids should be taken outside until they calm down. I found it ironic that of the 2 phones that rang that day, and the kids in the office, the most annoying person was the guard and his constant piping up at perceived issues.

Another item of note is that there must be a lot of scams about regarding SSA forms. Apparently, all SSA forms are free of cost and the SSA does not charge for services, yet some people pay for forms and services which are simply scams. One elderly gentleman came in to the office thinking he had done everything needed and "paid" his fees so he could get his services started. The staff had to let him know that it was probably a scam as it was not them who charged them.

So sad, but the same around the world that some people will take advantage of anyone for an easy buck.

Anyway, when my number was called, I went up to the window with my passport/visa/I-94, Certified birth certificate (my copy was certified back in 1989 so timing of certification not an issue) and the SSN application form. A few questions confirming my information / address details and I was done. Was advised the Card and number should be in the mail in the next month.

Then I was done and made the 8km walk back home again (via subway for lunch).

So as long as you have a valid visa and entry documents in your passport, a birth certificate and the correct form, you will be in and out fairly easily.