I'm experiencing the exact same situation! Applied for retirement benefits about 3.5 weeks ago and have been stuck on Step 2 with that same "cannot provide payment information" message. Like so many others in this thread, I also have self-employment history from running a small IT consulting business for about 6 years in the late 90s/early 2000s. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I was getting really worried checking the portal obsessively every day with no visible progress. Now I understand that Step 2 actually means they're actively working on my benefit calculations rather than my application just sitting in limbo! It's also helpful to know that self-employment years naturally extend the verification process. I was definitely caught in that compulsive portal-checking habit too - refreshing multiple times daily and getting more anxious each time nothing appeared to change. Since I'm approaching that 30-day mark, I think I'll try calling tomorrow morning right at 8 AM using the strategy everyone mentioned. Thanks to everyone for sharing your timelines and experiences - it's so comforting to know this is completely normal processing time and that we're all going through this same waiting process together!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! Just applied about 2 weeks ago and have been stuck on Step 2 with that frustrating "processing" message. Like many others here, I also have some self-employment history from running a small graphic design business for about 4 years in the early 2000s. This thread has been such a lifesaver - I was getting really anxious checking the portal multiple times daily thinking something was wrong with my application! Now I understand that Step 2 actually means they're actively calculating my benefits rather than just sitting in some queue somewhere. It's also reassuring to know that self-employment years naturally add verification time to the process. I was definitely falling into that obsessive portal-checking trap too - literally refreshing it several times a day and getting more worried each time nothing changed. Now that I know the system doesn't update in real-time anyway, I realize all that checking was pointless! I'm going to follow everyone's advice and wait until I hit the 30-day mark before trying to call. Thanks to everyone for sharing your timelines and experiences - it's so comforting to know this is completely normal processing time and that we're all going through this same waiting game together!

For anyone else having trouble accessing their my Social Security account, here's a tip: if you're locked out due to forgotten credentials, you can create a new account using the same SSN. The system will link it to your existing records. Just make sure you have your SSN, date of birth, and address handy for identity verification. Also, if you're over 65 or have certain disabilities, you might be eligible for in-person help at your local Social Security office without an appointment for password resets.

Just wanted to add another option for folks who are tech-savvy but don't want to deal with phone wait times - you can also request your SSA-1099 through the SSA's automated phone system at 1-800-772-1213. Press 0 to get to the main menu, then follow the prompts for "replacement forms." It's faster than waiting for a human representative and available 24/7. The system will mail you a replacement within 5-10 business days. Not as instant as online, but still quicker than trying to get through to customer service during busy tax season!

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community and wanted to share my recent experience that might help others dealing with Medicare enrollment errors. About 4 months ago, I accidentally selected the wrong Medicare Supplement Insurance option on my Social Security application - I chose Plan F when I meant to select Plan G! Like @Sadie Benitez, I panicked when I realized I couldn't edit anything online after submission. Following the excellent timing advice I've seen throughout this thread, I called the SSA number at 8:02 AM on a Wednesday morning and waited about 28 minutes to get through - much better than I expected! The representative was incredibly patient and told me that Medicare enrollment corrections are among their most routine calls. She was able to update my supplement plan selection immediately and provided me with a confirmation number. Since I was still in my Initial Enrollment Period, there were no penalties or complications. What really helped was having my Social Security number, application confirmation email, and a notepad ready before calling. I also took the advice about following up a week later to verify the correction was fully processed in their system, which gave me complete peace of mind. @StarGazer101, your professional insights throughout this thread have been invaluable - it's so reassuring to have someone with actual SSA experience confirming that these situations are routine and easily fixable! And to everyone who shared their success stories, thank you for making what could have been a stressful situation feel completely manageable. This community has been incredible to discover as a newcomer. The combination of professional expertise and real-world experiences creates such a valuable resource for navigating these complex government processes!

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm about 3 years away from Medicare eligibility myself, but reading through @Sadie Benitez's situation and all the amazing advice shared here has been such an eye-opening experience. I had absolutely no idea that Medicare enrollment was this complex or that you couldn't edit applications after submission. But seeing how many people have successfully resolved similar mistakes is really reassuring! The collective wisdom here is outstanding - from @StarGazer101's invaluable professional insights to all the practical timing tips about calling at 8:00-8:10 AM. What really impresses me is how generous everyone has been with sharing their real experiences. Stories from @Ethan Taylor, @Yuki Ito, @James Martinez and others provide so much more comfort than any official government website could. The consistency in everyone's success using the early morning calling strategy is remarkable! As a newcomer, I'm amazed by how supportive this community is. This thread has transformed from one person's panic into a comprehensive survival guide that will help countless future members facing Medicare enrollment challenges. I'm definitely bookmarking this entire discussion for when my time comes! Thanks to everyone for creating such a welcoming environment where newcomers like me can learn from your experiences navigating these intimidating government processes.

As someone who just joined this community while researching SSDI, I want to add my voice to this incredibly helpful discussion. Reading through all these professional insights and personal experiences has been such a relief after weeks of anxiety about my own application process. I've been dealing with chronic migraines and cervical spine issues, and like many others here, I was terrified that any attempt to maintain normal activities would somehow disqualify me. I actually stopped going to my weekly physical therapy sessions out of fear they'd be seen as "proof" I wasn't disabled enough - which is completely backwards thinking now that I understand the process better. What really resonates with me is how everyone with actual SSA experience emphasizes that they evaluate your capacity for sustained work performance, not whether you can do any activities at all. The accommodations, recovery time, and intermittent nature of activities like your biking actually demonstrate functional limitations rather than contradict them. I'm starting that symptom journal approach immediately - tracking preparation time, modifications needed, pain levels during/after activities, and recovery periods. Just thinking about my PT sessions: I need to time them around my medication schedule, can only tolerate 30-45 minutes before severe head pain kicks in, and usually need to go home and rest in a dark room for hours afterward. No workplace would accommodate that pattern! Thank you to everyone who shared their expertise here, especially the former SSA examiner and disability advocates. This thread has transformed my understanding and given me confidence to be honest in my application about both my limitations AND my attempts to manage this condition effectively.

As someone who's new to this community and currently preparing my SSDI application, I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread. The professional insights and real experiences shared here have been incredibly valuable in understanding how the disability evaluation process actually works. I've been struggling with similar concerns about whether maintaining any activities would hurt my application. Reading through all these responses from former SSA examiners, disability advocates, and people who've successfully navigated the system has completely changed my perspective on what SSA actually evaluates. The key insight that really helped me understand is that SSA looks at your ability to perform "substantial gainful activity" consistently - meaning sustained work capacity - not whether you can occasionally attempt activities with extensive accommodations and recovery needs. Your biking situation is actually a perfect example of how significant functional limitations can coexist with attempts to maintain some quality of life. The fact that you need specialized equipment (after trying 6 different seats!), medical preparations, compression gear, 90 minutes of recovery time, and have days when biking is impossible clearly demonstrates limitations that would never be accommodated in any workplace. This paints a picture of someone managing disability, not someone who's work-ready. I'm definitely implementing the symptom journal approach that multiple people recommended. Documenting not just pain levels but preparation time, recovery periods, and days when activities aren't possible seems like such a practical way to show the real impact of chronic conditions. This discussion has given me confidence to approach my application honestly, focusing on accurate documentation of my limitations rather than trying to hide my attempts at maintaining mental health. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge - this has been incredibly helpful for understanding the SSDI process!

I just wanted to add a few quick reminders for your interview on Friday that might help with last-minute prep: Bring multiple copies of everything - sometimes they want to keep originals and sometimes they prefer copies. Having extras saves time and stress. Write down any medications your son takes, including dosages. They often ask about current treatments as part of understanding his medical picture. If he's had any hospitalizations, ER visits, or significant medical events related to his autism/behavioral issues, jot down approximate dates. They may ask about his medical history timeline. Don't forget basic stuff like both your IDs, his Social Security card if you have it, and maybe a bottle of water for yourself - these interviews can be lengthy and talking a lot can be draining. One thing several people mentioned that really stuck with me: be prepared to explain not just what he CAN'T do, but also why accommodations wouldn't make employment possible. For example, "even with job coaching, he would require more support than his productivity would justify." You sound incredibly prepared and organized. Your son is lucky to have such a thorough advocate. Sending positive thoughts for Friday!

Best of luck with your interview on Friday! I can tell from reading through all these responses that you're incredibly well-prepared and have received excellent advice from this community. One small thing I wanted to add - if your son has any behavioral intervention plans (BIP) or crisis management protocols from school, those can also be helpful documentation. They show the level of specialized support needed to manage daily functioning, which reinforces the work-limiting nature of his disabilities. Also, don't worry if the interviewer asks questions you haven't anticipated. It's completely fine to say "let me think about that for a moment" or "can you clarify what you mean by that?" They'd rather have accurate, thoughtful responses than rushed answers. You're clearly an amazing advocate for your son, and all the preparation you've done shows how seriously you're taking this process. The fact that you reached out to this community for guidance and took the time to organize everything properly puts you in a great position for success. Thinking of you both on Friday - you've got this!