I just went through this exact situation last month and wanted to share what finally worked for me. Like many others here, I was stuck in the "approval limbo" for over 10 weeks after being told my application was approved. What finally broke through was combining several strategies mentioned in this thread: 1. I went to my local field office at 7 AM (they open at 9) and was first in line 2. I specifically asked for a "claims specialist" and mentioned I needed help with "payment processing holds" 3. Most importantly, I requested Form SSA-795 (Payment Status Inquiry) that Malik mentioned - this was the game changer! The claims specialist was able to see that my payment was stuck in something called a "Treasury hold" that required manual release. She submitted the SSA-795 form and put an expedite flag on my case. Within 8 business days, I received my first payment along with a letter explaining the delay. For anyone still waiting: don't let them tell you to wait longer if you're past 60 days post-approval. There's likely a specific technical hold that needs human intervention. The Form SSA-795 seems to force them to actually investigate rather than just checking the basic status. Also, bring printed screenshots of your MySocialSecurity account showing the application date and any status messages - the field office staff appreciated having the documentation. The system is definitely broken, but there are ways to navigate it once you know the right terms and procedures. Hang in there everyone!

I'm going through the exact same situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Applied for retirement benefits in late November, got verbal "approval" from a phone rep in December, but still no payment as of today. Reading everyone's experiences here finally explains what's happening - the disconnect between application approval and payment processing systems, the birth date payment schedules that nobody explains upfront, and all these different types of holds that can occur. The information about Form SSA-795 (Payment Status Inquiry) that Malik and Giovanni shared is completely new to me - none of the phone reps I've spoken with ever mentioned this option. It sounds like this form actually forces a comprehensive review instead of just getting generic "wait longer" responses. I'm definitely going to try the field office strategy that so many people have had success with: go early (around 7:30 AM), ask specifically for a claims specialist, mention "payment processing holds" or "payment exceptions," and request the SSA-795 form if needed. It's both frustrating and reassuring to know this is such a widespread issue. The system is clearly broken, but at least now I have a roadmap for getting through it thanks to everyone's shared experiences. This thread should honestly be pinned as a guide for anyone applying for Social Security benefits! For those still waiting - we're not alone in this nightmare, and there are proven strategies that work once you know the right terminology and procedures.

I went through something very similar when my spouse passed two years ago. I was also on SSDI and receiving reduced survivor benefits. The good news is that yes, your benefits should automatically increase to 100% when you reach your FRA at 67, and since your husband hadn't started collecting yet, you'll get his full PIA amount. However, I'd strongly recommend following @Aria Khan's advice about contacting them 2-3 months before you turn 67 - not all the automatic systems work perfectly. I actually had to call twice because there was a delay in my adjustment. Also, regarding your struggle with medical costs, you might want to look into whether you qualify for any state assistance programs or Medicare Savings Programs that could help with your premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The increase you'll see at 67 should help significantly with your financial situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ezra. I went through a very similar situation when my husband passed three years ago. I was 61, on SSDI for fibromyalgia, and really struggling to understand how the survivor benefits would work at my FRA. From my experience, the benefits should automatically adjust when you reach 67, but I'd echo what others have said about following up proactively. What helped me was creating a my Social Security account online (if you don't have one already) - you can send secure messages through there which sometimes gets faster responses than calling. I found it especially helpful for getting written confirmation of what would happen with my benefits. One thing that really caught me off guard was that the increase was more substantial than I expected since my husband hadn't started collecting yet. The jump from reduced survivor benefits to 100% of his PIA made a real difference in being able to manage my medical expenses and daily living costs. Also, regarding getting help from SSA - I had good luck calling right at 8 AM when they open. The wait times seemed shorter first thing in the morning. And definitely bring someone with you to the office if you can - having an advocate there when you're dealing with chronic pain makes such a difference. Hang in there - you're asking all the right questions and planning ahead, which is exactly what you should be doing.

Just wanted to add something that might help with your budgeting - when Social Security starts deducting your Part B premium, they'll also send you a "Notice of Change in Payment Amount" (usually arrives within a few weeks after the deduction starts). This notice will show your new monthly benefit amount after the Medicare deduction, so you'll have official documentation of the change for your records. Also, since you mentioned the higher premium due to income, keep in mind that IRMAA determinations are based on your tax return from 2 years prior, so if your income has changed significantly since then, it might be worth looking into an appeal or reconsideration once you get everything sorted out.

I'm also approaching 65 and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add - if you're still working and have employer health insurance, you might be able to delay Part B enrollment without penalty. But if you're already retired and receiving Social Security like the original poster, you'll definitely want Part B to start right when you turn 65 to avoid late enrollment penalties. The coordination between Social Security and Medicare can be confusing, but it sounds like you're on the right track by enrolling on time. Make sure to keep all your Medicare enrollment paperwork together with your Social Security documents - you'll probably need to reference them later!

I'm so glad you asked this question because I was wondering the exact same thing! I've been on SSDI for about a year now and have been too scared to even look into better savings options because I didn't want to risk my benefits. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I had no idea about the distinction between earned and unearned income, and honestly the similar names (SSDI vs SSI) have been confusing me too. It's such a relief to know that we can actually try to make our savings work a little harder without jeopardizing our disability benefits. I think I'm going to start researching some high-yield savings accounts myself now. Thanks for being brave enough to ask what so many of us were probably thinking!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said and add my own experience - I've been on SSDI for 5 years and have had money in CDs and high-yield savings the entire time with zero issues. The interest income has never been questioned or counted against my benefits. What really helped me was calling SSA directly early on to confirm this (though I know getting through can be a nightmare). The representative explained that SSDI only looks at "substantial gainful activity" which specifically means work income, not passive income from investments or savings. I've gone through two routine reviews since then and my interest-earning accounts have never even been mentioned. It's such a relief to know we can at least try to keep up with inflation a little bit instead of watching our money lose value sitting in checking accounts!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm both shocked and grateful to have found this discussion. I'm currently going through the SSI application process for my disabled foster daughter, and our caseworker gave us the exact same response about property taxes and homeowner's insurance - that they "weren't necessary for the application." Reading through everyone's experiences here has been eye-opening. The fact that multiple families across different field offices are being told identical incorrect information really does point to a widespread training problem rather than isolated mistakes. It's deeply concerning that representatives are consistently dismissing legitimate housing expenses that should be included in deeming calculations. Emma Wilson's insider perspective confirming that ALL housing costs should be counted has given me the confidence I needed to challenge this. Like many of you, I had that gut feeling something wasn't right when our rep rushed through those questions, but I didn't have the policy knowledge to push back effectively at the time. I'm planning to call this week and specifically ask for a Technical Expert who handles childhood SSI claims - I had no idea these specialists existed until reading this thread. Having the POMS reference number (SI 01320.175) and knowing to request documentation of my previous attempts to provide complete information will be crucial. Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories and advice. It's unfortunate that families caring for disabled children have to become SSA policy experts just to ensure proper benefit calculations, but this community support is invaluable. Rachel, I'm definitely interested in hearing how your call went - your experience will help guide many of us dealing with this same issue!

I'm new to this community and going through a very similar situation with my disabled daughter's SSI application. Our representative also told us that property taxes and homeowners insurance weren't needed, which immediately seemed wrong to me since these are major housing expenses. Reading through all of your experiences has been incredibly helpful and confirms my suspicions that this is a widespread training issue across SSA offices. The consistency of representatives giving identical incorrect information is really concerning, especially when it affects benefit calculations for our most vulnerable children. Emma Wilson's insider perspective has been invaluable - having confirmation from someone who actually worked in the system that ALL housing expenses should be included gives me the confidence I need to call back and advocate properly. I had no idea Technical Experts who specialize in childhood SSI claims even existed, but I'm definitely going to ask for one when I call. It's frustrating that we have to become SSA policy experts just to ensure our disabled children get the benefits they're entitled to, but I'm grateful for this community support. The advice about documentation, POMS references, and being persistent but polite is exactly what I needed to hear. Rachel, I hope your call went well! Please update us when you can - your experience will definitely help guide the rest of us who are dealing with this same issue.