How Long Do I Wait Before Re-Sending Packet?

[I.M. Spartacus]

It's been six weeks since I mailed my packet (regular mail unfortunately) and according to the web site they are still "waiting on the receipt of required materials." I tried to call to see if I might need to re-send my packet but I kept getting the 'all agents are currently busy please try again later' message.

So I tried the email route and this morning received a canned reply. It basically repeated information from the web site; "Applications typically do not show up online or in our database records for four weeks, at which point they are processed by a specialist." And giving me a link to the status check web site.

I understand there are only a few people processing an unbelievably huge workload. But if I can't speak with anyone how do I know if I need to re-send my packet? How much longer should I wait before I re-send it?

The wait would be a lot easier if I could at least see that they have received my packet!

[nightmare69]

Call in the morning at 8am, if you call then you should only be on hold for a max of 10mins. I called this morning about my app and packet that was delivered to DPS on 2/28 cause Im not in the system yet. Talked to Dan and he said to wait longer cause they are way behind.

[jaybeau]

I'm not sure if this will put your mind at ease, but myself and 4 other classmates from the Dallas area all had our completed packets separately received by DPS via certified mail on 2/21 and all of us are still getting the 'Awaiting Materials' status on the website. So far it's been exactly 40 days since they received it. A couple of my other classmates know of a few others on our exact timeline and as of this morning, they too are 'Awaiting Materials'. Literally, everyone that I know has not been able to receive any status from DPS. They have returned no emails and haven't been available by phone. I've tried calling multiple times but after waiting on the phone for a person to pickup for over 20 minutes, I just hang up. In fact, the only information I receive at all regarding DPS CHL issues is from this public, free forum.

Regardless of the volume increase and/or any other matters that DPS is dealing with, if you are experiencing problems, ie. lack of communication, I urge you to contact, either by phone or email , your Texas State Representative.
Please don't send them your pertinent personal information like DL#, SSN, etc. You can provide them your name.
Here's a link to the Texas State Representatives.
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/



Also, if anyone has mailed them via certified mail over 6 weeks ago and are able to get in touch with DPS and asked to re-send a packet then there is a HUGE issue. There is HIGHLY sensitive information in those packets and for them to be missing can have catastrophic, negative impacts on your financial credit. I pray this hasn't happened to anyone.

[I.M. Spartacus]

Thanks for the replies! Makes me feel better that I'm not alone in this.

I'm surprised that our instructor didn't recommend sending the packets via certified mail. And I didn't even think about the personal data that's in the packet if it were to be lost!

[Brad Mc]

Try early or after 3:00. Never around lunch time. There is a Daniel and a Dan. Hopefully you get Dan. He's more helpful. Just put your phone on speaker and be prepared for the irritating music while on hold. I think the on-hold music is specifically designed to make you hang up. I waited for 25 min today. I got through one day in 10 minutes.

[texaszed4mc]

Glad to hear I am not the only on "WAITING TO RECEIVE PAPERS", comment.

[mike5906]

The received mine on 2/23 (USPS Tracking). Mine just changed to received today 4/8.

[jmra]

I called the other day just before they closed. Was on hold for 5 minutes before being connected. I had sent in all my renewal paperwork electronically and wanted to confirm they had received everything.
Person who answered was very helpful, said they had everything but may take awhile to process everything. Class is good thru June 2 and my current CHL is good thru Sep so no need to worry.

[lightbulb1988]

Don't worry. It takes them forever to update the online site. My boyfriend and I sent in our packets at the same time and mine was stuck on "processing" for weeks. I didn't call them until my boyfriend's status changed to "ship" and mine stayed on "processing" for another week. I called and they said that it had been shipped, but the online system is slow to update. Lame.

[bayouhazard]

Did they cash your check? That's how I knew they received my packet.

[nightmare69]

Did they cash your check? That's how I knew they received my packet.

Yeah the check I mailed cleared my bank 2 weeks after they received my packet, 6 weeks later no update on my app status though. DPS is very quick at getting their money and then drag out completing your application. They should not be able to cash the check until after they have either approved or denied your app, I bet that would make the process go faster.

[RX8er]

They are bombarded by applications and I think they are doing the best they can with the resources they have. The best you can do is to call them. Every time I spoke with someone, it was always helpful. I know that when you get the call back later message, just keep trying and you'll be able to get in to the holding pattern.

[I.M. Spartacus]

The good news is that my status was finally updated to received and under review on Monday (4/8). The bad news is that there was also a big red "Proof of Special Condition: Unacceptable, notice sent to applicant" there too.

I haven't received their letter yet but the only special condition I claimed was as a veteran. And I've been out so long that I had forgotten there were different DD-214s. And naturally I sent the wrong one.

But I called before leaving the office at 4:55 yesterday and was only on hold for a couple of minutes. I spoke with Rebecca who was extremely nice and helpful. Once I receive the letter I'll just fax it along with the "Member - 4" version of my DD-214 and all will be right with the world.

I didn't bother Rebecca with it but it would be helpful (judging by the results of a search on "Proof of Special Condition:...) if they would specify the DD-214 version needed.

1/28 Online Application
2/4 Fingerprints
2/16 CHL Class/Range Qualification Completed
2/19 Packet Mailed
4/8 Packet Received--Background Check Started
4/8 Proof of Special Condition: Unacceptable, notice sent to applicant"

[Sapperific]

I've had the same status issue since they received my application on 07 March. I guess it's a little comforting to know that it's normal for them to take a long time to change my status.