As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I'm in a very similar situation - I became the legal guardian of my sister's daughter (age 9) about 14 months ago after she lost custody due to neglect issues. I've been receiving SSDI since 2019 for multiple sclerosis, and I honestly had no idea that auxiliary benefits were even a possibility for children in our legal care. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences and advice has been absolutely enlightening! The information about form SSA-4-BK, the importance of certified guardianship documents, and especially learning that these benefits are completely separate from our personal SSDI payments has given me so much hope. Like many others here, I was worried about potentially affecting my existing benefits by asking questions. The practical tips about asking specifically for a dependent benefits specialist when calling SSA and the potential for retroactive payments are incredibly valuable. Maxwell, thank you for being brave enough to ask this question - you've inadvertently helped so many families discover support they didn't know existed! I'm calling SSA first thing Monday morning to start the application process for my niece. This community is truly amazing at helping each other navigate these complex systems!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely blown away by the incredible support and detailed information shared in this thread! Reading through everyone's experiences has been so educational and encouraging. I'm in a somewhat similar situation - I recently became the legal guardian of my cousin's two children (ages 5 and 12) about 6 months ago after their parents were unable to provide proper care due to addiction issues. I've been receiving SSDI since 2020 for severe depression and anxiety disorders, and like so many others here, I had absolutely no idea that auxiliary benefits were possible for children in our legal custody! The detailed explanations about the application process, form SSA-4-BK, and especially the clarification that these benefits won't affect our personal SSDI payments has been incredibly reassuring. I was also hesitant to inquire about any additional benefits for fear of complications with my existing case. The practical advice about gathering certified guardianship documents, asking specifically for a dependent benefits specialist when calling SSA, and the potential for retroactive benefits has given me the confidence I needed to move forward. Maxwell, thank you so much for asking this important question - you've helped discover a resource that could truly make a difference for so many families caring for children! This community's willingness to share experiences and knowledge is truly remarkable. I'm definitely calling SSA this week to start the application process for my cousin's children too.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some additional resources that might help. If you're having trouble getting through to SSA by phone, you can also try contacting your local Social Security office directly - sometimes they're less busy than the national line. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of every interaction you have with SSA during this process. Write down dates, times, names of representatives you speak with, and what was discussed. This documentation can be crucial if you need to escalate further. One thing that helped me when dealing with a similar bureaucratic mix-up was sending everything via certified mail so I had proof of delivery. That way there's no question about whether they received your reconsideration paperwork. You've got a solid case here - the fact that she's been receiving SSI for over a decade with a documented onset date before age 22 should make this straightforward once the right person reviews it. Don't let them discourage you!

I'm new here but wanted to add that you should also consider requesting a "protective filing" for your daughter's CDB benefits if you haven't already. This ensures that if/when the benefits are eventually approved, they'll be backdated to when you first applied rather than when the appeal is resolved. Also, one strategy that worked for a friend of mine in a similar situation was to specifically ask the SSA representative to look up your daughter's "Master Beneficiary Record" (MBR) which should show her complete SSI history including the disability determination. Sometimes referencing the specific system they need to check can help get faster results. The fact that they're claiming she wasn't disabled before 22 when she's literally been receiving disability benefits since 18 is mind-boggling. You're absolutely right to fight this - it's not just about the money, it's about getting the correct determination that your daughter deserves.

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of support you're receiving. Your experience perfectly illustrates why so many people find Social Security rules intimidating - even when you try to get official guidance, you can end up with conflicting information that leads to real financial consequences. I'm particularly struck by how you received such definitive advice from the first SSA rep about PTO not counting toward your monthly limit, only to be told the complete opposite later. This kind of inconsistency from their own staff seems inexcusable given the significant financial impact on beneficiaries. From reading through all the excellent advice here, it seems like you have two strong options: 1) Document that July 15th conversation thoroughly and pursue an administrative exception for SSA misinformation, or 2) Use Form SSA-521 to withdraw your application entirely and start fresh in 2026 without any earnings test complications. The withdrawal option is looking increasingly attractive when you consider that you'd avoid the $9,840 in potential withheld benefits, get delayed retirement credits for higher monthly payments, and have the peace of mind of starting over without all these complex calculations and appeals. Thank you for sharing this experience so openly - it's an invaluable learning opportunity for those of us who will face these same decisions in the future. Your willingness to document this process will undoubtedly help others avoid similar pitfalls or at least know what questions to ask and insist on getting answers in writing.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by the depth of knowledge and support being shared here. Your situation, Amelia, is unfortunately a textbook example of why navigating Social Security can be so treacherous - even when you try to do everything right by calling for official guidance first. What really stands out to me is that you made a major financial decision (starting benefits early) based on specific advice from an SSA representative, only to discover later that the advice was incorrect. That July 15th conversation where you were told PTO wouldn't count toward your monthly limit should absolutely be documented and escalated - SSA has provisions for situations where their misinformation causes financial harm to beneficiaries. The Form SSA-521 withdrawal option that several people have mentioned seems like it deserves serious consideration. Yes, you'd need to repay benefits already received, but when you factor in avoiding $9,840 in potential withheld benefits plus gaining delayed retirement credits for higher future payments, the math might actually work in your favor. I'm curious - have you been able to calculate approximately how much you've received in benefits so far? That would help determine if the withdrawal route makes financial sense compared to dealing with the earnings test complications. Thank you for sharing this experience so thoroughly. As someone who will be facing these same decisions in a few years, this thread has been incredibly educational about the real-world complexities that go far beyond what SSA's website explains.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I want to echo what everyone has shared - this terminology confusion is incredibly common and frustrating during an already overwhelming time. You're absolutely not alone in feeling confused by SSA's use of both "widow's benefits" and "survivor benefits." As a newcomer who's been reading through all these helpful responses, I wanted to add that it might be worth asking specifically about the "restricted application" strategy during your SSA appointment. Since your mom is over 62, she may be able to file for one benefit while delaying the other, then switch later - but the rules around this can be complex and depend on when she was born. Also, something I learned from helping a family member - when you call for that appointment, ask if they can mail you a written benefits estimate beforehand. Sometimes having the numbers in front of you makes the phone conversation much clearer, especially when you're dealing with grief and stress. The community here has given you such valuable advice about comparing the actual dollar amounts. That really seems to be the key to making the best decision for your mom's long-term financial security. Wishing you both strength as you work through this process.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Having just gone through a similar situation with my own family, I completely understand the confusion around this terminology. What helped us tremendously was creating a simple checklist before our SSA appointment: - Ask for actual dollar amounts for both widow's benefits and her own retirement benefits - Get calculations for taking benefits now vs. waiting - Ask about the $255 death benefit specifically - Inquire about any retroactive payments - Request everything in writing if possible One thing I wish someone had told us earlier - if your mom is still working, make sure to discuss the earnings test limits. This could affect which benefit strategy makes the most sense timing-wise. Also, don't hesitate to call back if you get conflicting information from different representatives. Unfortunately, that does happen sometimes, and it's worth getting a second opinion on such an important financial decision. The fact that you're helping your mom navigate this shows what a caring family you are. Take it one step at a time, and don't feel pressured to make immediate decisions. You've got this.

Didn't see it mentioned but don't forget about STATE taxes too! Some states tax Social Security and some don't. I moved from Minnesota to Florida partly because MN taxes SS benefits and FL doesn't. Smart to check your state rules!

Just wanted to add something that might help with planning - if you're going to be working part-time and receiving Social Security, you might want to consider having taxes withheld from your part-time job wages to cover any taxes owed on your SS benefits. This can be easier than dealing with quarterly estimated payments. You can adjust your W-4 with your part-time employer to have extra federal tax withheld beyond what's needed for your wages. Many people find this simpler than calculating and making quarterly payments to the IRS. Just another option to consider when you're planning your tax strategy!