to bring in my birth certificate for retirement benefits.
The on-line instructions said to bring it in when I did the on-line
sign-up a couple week ago.
Said they might ask for DD214 too.
Couldn't find that, so I ordered one.
DD214 still hadn't come, and I debated waiting for today's mail before
I went to the SS office. Nah, just get it done. They won't need it.
Don't want to miss a month's payment for dawdling around.
Bunch of foreigners in the SS office, cripples, maybe scammers playing
cripples, and old people.
I tell you, it was like being in hell.
Waited at 2 different stations, maybe an hour in total.
Seemed like 17 hours.
My name is called and a fat black lady beckons me over.
She was nice. Said I don't need to do anything, since I did it all
on-line and only foreign born have to bring in the birth certificate.
She said I should get something in the mail about 2 weeks after the
on-line app, though that was never mentioned on-line.
I just told her it was all worth while being there because I got to
meet her. She laughed, I left.
Got home, and the damned SS letter was in the mailbox.

--Vic

On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:18:11 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

I tell you, it was like being in hell.
Waited at 2 different stations, maybe an hour in total.
Seemed like 17 hours.

Too late now but you can do it all on the telephone.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:18:11 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

I tell you, it was like being in hell.
Waited at 2 different stations, maybe an hour in total.
Seemed like 17 hours.

Too late now but you can do it all on the telephone.


Not really. I did it via wesite and they wanted to see the dd214. Went
down and maybe 15 minutes, guy said not really needed, and told me how much
money you working stiffs were going to send me each month.

On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:42:04 -0800, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

Not really. I did it via wesite and they wanted to see the dd214.

I sent in mine by FAX, never went to the office at all.

On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:01:55 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:42:04 -0800, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

Not really. I did it via wesite and they wanted to see the dd214.

I sent in mine by FAX, never went to the office at all.

The problem is the web sign-up instructions aren't clear or are
misleading. I saved them and put them below.
Sure as hell looks like I was supposed to at least take my birth
certificate to the office.
Nothing about waiting for a letter, then going on-line again.
Don't even think it's necessary as the woman at the office said I'm
basically done since I did the on-line.
But I'll use the password they sent in the letter and check it out.
Saw on the letter I've got until Dec 27, so I better look.
Got plenty of time. Heck, I'm retired.

--Vic



************************************************** ********************************
What You Need to Do Now! Thank You! Your electronic application has
been received.
Please print this screen now or write down the information that
applies to you.
It will list the address where you sent your completed application,
advise you where to submit your documents, give you information about
changes you must report and repeat the confirmation number you need to
check the status of your claim on the Internet. You will not be able
to return here if you go to another screen.

We cannot complete processing your claim until we have received and
verified all of your required documents.

If you discover that something is incorrect on the electronic
application you sent, please submit the corrections to the office you
chose to process your claim, along with any documents.

If you indicated that you intend to file a Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) application and we do not hear from you within 60 days,
you may lose SSI benefits. Call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213
to arrange an appointment to file for SSI. If you are deaf or hard of
hearing, call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. These claims
cannot be applied for over the Internet.

Documents You Need to Submit to Social Security
You must submit your Original Birth Certificate or a Certified Copy of
your birth certificate or other proof of birth to the office you
choose to process your claim. And, if applicable, you must also submit
proof of your:

Citizenship/Naturalization (if other than your U.S. birth
certificate);
U.S. Military Service (e.g., DD214 - Certificate of Release or
Discharge from Active Duty);
Wages from your employer for last year (e.g., copy of your W-2 form);
Self-employment income for last year (e.g., IRS Schedules C and SE);
and
If we determine that you qualify for benefits as a spouse, we may also
need proof of your marriage. We will contact you if necessary after we
receive your application.
Note: If you have already proven your date of birth and citizenship
status while filing a claim for another benefit administered by Social
Security (e.g. Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, prior Social
Security disability, etc.), you do not have to submit these proofs
again.

We must see your original birth certificate or other proof of age. We
cannot accept photocopies unless they are certified by the office that
issued the original. If Citizenship or Naturalization is involved, we
also must see your original documents. For your convenience, we can
accept uncertified copies of your military service papers, W-2 or IRS
Schedule C or SE forms. We will return all documents and photocopies
to you unless you specifically tell us otherwise.

Do not delay mailing or bringing in your documents, even if you do not
have all the documents we need. We will help you get any other
documents you need.

Where Do I Submit My Documents?
Please mail or take the documents we indicated we need to:

SOCIAL SECURITY
215 SOUTH ELMHURST RD
PROSPECT HEIGHTS, IL 60070

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
m...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:18:11 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

I tell you, it was like being in hell.
Waited at 2 different stations, maybe an hour in total.
Seemed like 17 hours.

Too late now but you can do it all on the telephone.


Not really. I did it via wesite and they wanted to see the dd214. Went
down and maybe 15 minutes, guy said not really needed, and told me how
much money you working stiffs were going to send me each month.


What does your DD 214 have to do with SS?

Eisboch

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
m...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:18:11 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

I tell you, it was like being in hell.
Waited at 2 different stations, maybe an hour in total.
Seemed like 17 hours.

Too late now but you can do it all on the telephone.


Not really. I did it via wesite and they wanted to see the dd214. Went
down and maybe 15 minutes, guy said not really needed, and told me how
much money you working stiffs were going to send me each month.


What does your DD 214 have to do with SS?

Eisboch


Beats me. But maybe they figured I might also get a military pension and
that may affect my SS?

On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:51:50 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:

Not really. I did it via wesite and they wanted to see the dd214. Went
down and maybe 15 minutes, guy said not really needed, and told me how
much money you working stiffs were going to send me each month.


What does your DD 214 have to do with SS?

It's not at all clear, just another hoop you have to jump through.

On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:51:50 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Calif Bill" wrote in message
om...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:18:11 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

I tell you, it was like being in hell.
Waited at 2 different stations, maybe an hour in total.
Seemed like 17 hours.

Too late now but you can do it all on the telephone.


Not really. I did it via wesite and they wanted to see the dd214. Went
down and maybe 15 minutes, guy said not really needed, and told me how
much money you working stiffs were going to send me each month.


What does your DD 214 have to do with SS?

Eisboch

They can explain better than I:

http://tinyurl.com/2rc6sh
--
A Harry Krause truism:

"It's not a *baby* kicking, beautiful bride, it's just a fetus!"

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:51:50 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Calif Bill" wrote in message
news:xbadnTX2lowlsLbUnZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@earthlink. com...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
news On Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:18:11 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

I tell you, it was like being in hell.
Waited at 2 different stations, maybe an hour in total.
Seemed like 17 hours.

Too late now but you can do it all on the telephone.


Not really. I did it via wesite and they wanted to see the dd214. Went
down and maybe 15 minutes, guy said not really needed, and told me how
much money you working stiffs were going to send me each month.


What does your DD 214 have to do with SS?

Eisboch

They can explain better than I:

http://tinyurl.com/2rc6sh


Thanks. I am still a few years away from SS, but I'll save and remember
your link.
Apparently, there are many little known and often unused benefits
available for vets and/or surviving spouses. My sister, as a result of a
lot of digging, found an obscure benefit that now provides an extra $1k a
month in addition to her SS to help pay for assisted living costs.

Eisboch