[Eowyn]

I was worried my big packet forms wouldn't make it in the mail by the 10-day deadline, so I carried them into the SSA office on 2-17 and had the lady fax them in. I then verbally confirmed that they had everything they needed and the ball was in their court. She said yes.

Yesterday I received a letter dated 2-23 saying that my materials had still not been received.



How does this happen? What do I do to fix it?

[Biggerbetter]

Originally Posted by Eowyn

I was worried my big packet forms wouldn't make it in the mail by the 10-day deadline, so I carried them into the SSA office on 2-17 and had the lady fax them in. I then verbally confirmed that they had everything they needed and the ball was in their court. She said yes.

Yesterday I received a letter dated 2-23 saying that my materials had still not been received.



How does this happen? What do I do to fix it?

Did you ask for a confirmation fax? A reciept of any kind?

[Eowyn]

No, I didn't even think to. I do still have copies of all my documents, so worst case scenario I can send them in again.

[jana]

Give em a call. I feel sure it is ok. These people are LOADED down with paperwork. If the lady faxed em -- rather than loaded them digitally into the system -- then your paperwork might be sitting in someone's "to do" box, waiting to BE uploaded!

The "to do" box is probably, in this particular case, NOT as efficient as the box that your MAILED in information would have been sent to (in other words, the mail is probably handled before the faxes). But, I totally understand your reasoning for going TO the office.

Or, another possibility: from what I recall, the mail goes DIRECTLY to the person who is handling your case. The fax, however, goes to a "general" phone number. From there, it must be hand-delivered. Depending on the protocol and WHO is taking care of business -- it might take some time.

[Jomar]

I would call or go back to the office that faxed them and get it verified if they were faxed or not.
Or call the office that sent the letter to double check if they had now been located or not.

If it was me I'd call both to get them looking for the paperwork
Mainly to be sure if it isn't found, I'd get another set sent right away.

But yes they probably don't have a fax machine for each case worker so it goes to the main one and has to be picked up or distributed by someone.

It may have appeared in the days it took for the letter to arrive at your home.

[ginnie]

:eek Yes I have heard of this happening before. The right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing sometimes within the agency. Do you know who took your information in? The name and date you went in? You state that in writing to them, however you made need to re-submit and do it over again. I once went to one office, they sent me to another agency, and that agency sent me back to the origional one I was at! All the while waiting in long lines. I am so sorry this happened. I know the whole matter is extremely stress producing. At the time all these applications were flying around for me, I kept copies, and wrote down names after the first few errors occured. I would go back and talk to the person who stated to you, that the information was complete and in order, confont him or her....you can try.
I will keep you in my prayers, that this doesn't happen again, and that resolution can come about. ginnie

[Mz Migraine]

Originally Posted by Eowyn

I was worried my big packet forms wouldn't make it in the mail by the 10-day deadline, so I carried them into the SSA office on 2-17 and had the lady fax them in. I then verbally confirmed that they had everything they needed and the ball was in their court. She said yes.

Yesterday I received a letter dated 2-23 saying that my materials had still not been received.



How does this happen? What do I do to fix it?

ALWAYS get a WRITTEN confirmation and/or receipt when dealing w/something important. Especially when dealing w/a government agency.

[LIT LOVE]

They have dated stamps in the field offices--if you walk something in, get it stamped. If you mail something, send it in a way that you can verify later on. It might seem like overkill, but I've needed to prove that I've submitted things "in a timely fashion" that have been "lost" as well.

[Eowyn]

Here's my overdue update: I called the agent last Monday and he confirmed that they DID have my materials. Apparently they are still waiting on some medical records, but at least they have everything they need from me at this point.

MAJOR relief!!!

Too bad about the panicky weekend in the meantime.

Will definitely be sure to get written confirmation next time. Thanks for all your input and suggestions.