HELP!--SSN FOR H4->H1

H4 CHANGED TO H1, EFFECT OCT 01. TRY TO APPLY SSN, BUT WAS TOLD I-94 WAS NOT CERTIFIED IN THEIR SYSTEM. THEY NEED 60-90 DAYS TO VERIFY THE DATA. IS THIS NORMAL? HOW CAN I GET PAID DURING THESE 2-3 MONTHS?

THANKS!