I'm dealing with a similar issue right now! I scheduled an in-person appointment for disability benefits last month, specifically told them I needed in-person because I have mobility issues and wanted to bring my medical records folder to show them everything at once. Got the confirmation letter yesterday - telephone appointment! It's so frustrating because now I'll have to figure out how to scan or fax dozens of medical documents instead of just bringing the originals. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like the secure messaging route through MySocialSecurity might be my best bet too. Has anyone had success getting accommodation requests honored when you explain medical reasons for needing in-person appointments?

I've been through this exact same frustrating experience! What worked for me was calling the local office directly (not the national number) first thing in the morning around 8:45am before they officially open to the public. The staff member who answers is usually more helpful since they're not overwhelmed with walk-ins yet. I explained that I had specifically requested in-person service for my retirement application due to complex pension calculations, and they were able to switch it immediately in their system. The key is being persistent but polite, and emphasizing that you need to review original documents that can't be properly assessed over the phone. If the first person can't help, ask to speak with a supervisor. Since you mentioned WEP issues, that's definitely a valid reason that requires in-person document review. Don't give up - this is their system error, not yours!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm 3 months into receiving benefits and was completely baffled by the payment timing. I was born on the 12th, so I should be getting paid on the third Wednesday - same as a few others here. What really threw me off was that my very first payment came on a different day due to processing delays, and I kept expecting that same "random" date every month after that. Now I understand it was just the initial setup period! I love the idea about downloading the yearly calendar and marking everything out in advance. Has anyone found that their bank's mobile app sends notifications when the direct deposit hits, or do you still have to manually check? I'm trying to figure out the best way to track when it actually arrives versus when SSA says they're sending it.

As someone who's been helping family members navigate Social Security for years, I can confirm everything everyone has said about the birthday-based payment schedule is absolutely correct! One additional thing that might help with your budgeting concerns - if you create a "My Social Security" account on ssa.gov, you can view your payment history and see the exact amounts and dates of all your previous deposits. This can help you spot any patterns or irregularities you might have missed. Also, they recently added a feature where you can download your benefit verification letter anytime you need proof of income for things like loan applications or housing assistance. The online portal really is a game-changer for keeping track of everything once you get it set up!

I've been dealing with a similar situation for my retirement planning! One additional resource that might help is the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) at the US Embassy in Lisbon - they specifically handle Social Security issues for Americans living in Portugal. They can sometimes provide clearer guidance than the main SSA phone line, and you won't have to deal with those terrible hold times. You can find their contact info on the embassy website. Also, regarding the banking fees others mentioned - if you do go the US bank + ATM route, look into getting a Schwab checking account before you move. They reimburse ALL ATM fees worldwide and don't charge foreign transaction fees. I switched to them specifically for international travel and it's been a game-changer. Just make sure to apply while you still have a US address since they can be picky about new accounts for overseas residents. One last tip: consider getting a Portuguese tax ID number (NIF) as soon as possible when you arrive, even before opening a bank account. You'll need it for almost everything financial in Portugal, and it can take a while to get if you wait until you need it urgently.

I've been researching this exact situation since I'm considering a similar move to Portugal in the next few years! From everything I've read here and other sources, it really seems like the consensus is: keep your US bank account for the SS deposits and use a reliable transfer service like Wise or Revolut to move money to Portugal as needed. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - I've been told by friends who are already expats that it's worth setting up relationships with 2-3 different transfer services before you move, just in case one has technical issues or changes their fee structure. Having backup options gives you flexibility. Also, has anyone here dealt with Portuguese healthcare as an American retiree? I know it's off-topic from the banking question, but since we're talking about the practicalities of living there part-time, I'm curious about how that works alongside Medicare (which as Ava mentioned, doesn't work outside the US). Thanks to everyone who's shared their real experiences - this thread has been incredibly valuable for planning!

Hi everyone! As a newcomer to this community, I just experienced this exact same ID.me verification situation about 5 days ago and wanted to share my experience. Like many others here, I was initially very suspicious when ID.me suddenly requested my driver's license photo and selfie after months of using the same login process without any changes. What helped me verify this was legitimate was following the thorough verification steps that several community members have outlined: I went directly to SSA.gov by typing the URL myself, found their official documentation about the ID.me partnership, and called the SSA customer service line at 1-800-772-1213. The representative confirmed this is their official enhanced security protocol and explained that the phased rollout is why long-time users are suddenly encountering these new requirements. I completed the verification process and it took about 7 minutes total. The lighting tips from Kevin and others were really helpful for the selfie portion - I made sure I was in a well-lit area which made the process go smoothly. This thread has been incredibly valuable in helping me and others navigate this unexpected change. It's so reassuring to see so many community members who have independently verified this through official channels and had positive experiences. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it really helps distinguish legitimate security upgrades from potential scams!

Hi everyone! As a newcomer to this community, I just encountered this exact same ID.me verification situation yesterday and wanted to share my experience. Like so many others here, I was immediately alarmed when ID.me suddenly prompted me for a driver's license photo and selfie after using my regular login for about 10 months without any issues. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly reassuring! I followed the verification steps that multiple community members have recommended: I went directly to SSA.gov by typing the URL myself, found their official security page explaining the ID.me partnership, and called the SSA customer service line at 1-800-772-1213. The representative confirmed that this enhanced verification is indeed their official security upgrade being implemented in phases. I completed the verification process this morning and it took about 8 minutes total. The lighting tips from Kevin and others were spot-on - good natural light really made the selfie portion go smoothly. Everything is working normally now. What I find most valuable about this discussion is seeing how many people independently verified this through official channels and had consistently positive experiences. It really helps distinguish legitimate security upgrades from potential scams. As someone who was initially very skeptical, I'm grateful for this community resource that helped me navigate this unexpected change with confidence. Thanks to everyone who shared their detailed verification steps and experiences!

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! Filed my retirement application on January 11th and it's been stuck on step 2 for 47 days now. Like so many others here, I was starting to panic thinking I had made some error or that my paperwork got lost in the system somehow. Finding this thread has been such a relief - it's clear this is affecting all January applicants rather than being individual issues. @LongPeri thank you so much for the comprehensive explanation about the system updates and earnings verification process - that really helps put the delays in context. @Isabella Brown I'm definitely going to try the urgent callback method you described since it sounds like it's the most effective way to actually reach someone who can provide real answers. My 70th birthday is coming up in early May so the timing is getting a bit concerning, but knowing the benefits will be paid retroactively helps ease my anxiety a little. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and timelines - it's comforting to know we're all navigating this together and can support each other through the process!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I filed my retirement application on January 17th and have been stuck on step 2 for 45 days now. Like everyone else here, I was starting to think there was something specifically wrong with my application, but it's clear this is a widespread issue affecting all January filers. @LongPeri thank you for the detailed explanation about the system updates and earnings verification - that really helps explain what's happening behind the scenes. @Isabella Brown I'm definitely going to try the urgent callback method through the message center tomorrow since it sounds like it actually gets results. My 70th birthday is coming up in mid-June so I have a bit more time than some others here, but I still want to make sure everything is progressing normally. It's so reassuring to see we're all experiencing the same delays and can support each other through this frustrating process. Thanks to everyone for sharing your timelines and experiences!