Just wanted to update and say I've been able to log in successfully for 3 days straight using the incognito method. Still annoying to have to use incognito every time, but at least I can check my disability application status now. Currently shows "medical review in process" which I guess means more waiting... 🙄

This is super helpful! I've been having the exact same login loop issue for about a week now. I tried clearing cookies and cache like others mentioned but it didn't work for me. Just tried the incognito mode trick and it worked immediately! It's crazy that such a simple workaround fixes what seems like a major technical issue on their end. Really appreciate you taking the time to share this - saved me from having to drive to the local office too. Hopefully they get this fixed soon because having to use incognito mode every time is pretty annoying for something as important as checking Social Security benefits.

5 tries? You're LUCKY! I called 17 TIMES last month trying to fix my address change!!! And then they mailed my new card to the WRONG ADDRESS anyway!!! The whole system is BROKEN!!!!

I completely feel your frustration! I've been dealing with SSA for years helping my elderly parents navigate their benefits, and you're absolutely right - the MySocialSecurity portal is basically read-only. It's mind-boggling that in 2025 we can do almost everything online except communicate with one of the most important government agencies. For what it's worth, I've had better luck calling around 2-3 PM on weekdays - seems like there's a sweet spot after lunch when wait times are shorter. Also, if you're dealing with a benefit estimate discrepancy, sometimes it helps to have your most recent tax return handy when you call since they might need to verify earnings data. The whole system definitely needs a major overhaul!

I work as a disability advocate and see families navigate this transition regularly. One crucial detail many people miss is that you need to report your husband's intent to file for benefits to SSA BEFORE he actually files - not after. This gives them time to properly calculate how it will affect your son's benefits and avoid potential overpayments. Also, if your son does qualify for DAC benefits, there's something called a "protective filing date" that can preserve his eligibility even if there are delays in processing. Make sure to ask about this when you meet with SSA. The other commenters are right about getting multiple opinions - I always recommend families get at least two different SSA representatives to review their situation, and if possible, work with a SOAR-certified benefits counselor who specializes in disability benefits transitions.

You can find SOAR-certified benefits counselors through the SOAR website at prainc.com/soar - they have a "Find Training and TA" section where you can search by state. Also try calling 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they maintain databases of local disability services and can often connect you with benefits counselors in your area. Another resource is the National Association of Benefits and Work Incentives Counselors (NABWIC) website, though their directory isn't always up to date. Your state's vocational rehabilitation office should also be able to refer you to qualified benefits counselors. One more tip from my experience: when you do meet with SSA, bring a written list of questions and take notes during the meeting. Ask for the representative's name and a reference number for your visit. This documentation becomes crucial if you need to follow up or if there are any discrepancies later. The fact that you're doing this research ahead of time puts you way ahead of most families I work with. Good luck!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately very familiar with the frustration of navigating Social Security's family maximum rules. My husband filed for early retirement at 62, and we have a disabled adult son who qualifies for DAC benefits. Like so many others here, we were completely blindsided by how much the family maximum would reduce our son's benefits. What really strikes me about reading through everyone's experiences is how consistently SSA fails to explain these rules upfront. The fact that the primary worker's reduced early retirement benefit counts against the family maximum - leaving less for auxiliary beneficiaries - is such a fundamental aspect of the calculation, yet it's rarely mentioned during the application process. @Eleanor Foster - your detailed breakdown after speaking with SSA was incredibly helpful. That 175% family maximum divided between your husband's 87% reduced benefit and leaving 88% to split between you and your son really illustrates the math in a way that makes sense. It's frustrating that families have to work so hard to get this basic information! I ended up using the Claimyr service mentioned by several people here, and it was a game-changer for actually reaching a knowledgeable representative. The agent was able to provide a written computation breakdown that showed exactly how our family maximum was calculated - something I never would have gotten through the regular phone lines. For anyone still in the planning stages, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to understand these calculations BEFORE making any filing decisions. The irreversible nature of early retirement filing combined with the family maximum impacts can significantly affect your family's long-term financial security. This community's shared experiences and resources have been more valuable than anything I've gotten from official SSA sources!

I'm new to this community and unfortunately joining because I'm dealing with a very similar family maximum situation. My wife is 63 and we're trying to decide whether she should file for early retirement benefits now or wait, given that we have a 25-year-old disabled son who would qualify for DAC benefits. Reading through this entire thread has been both incredibly helpful and deeply concerning. The consistent theme of families being blindsided by how the family maximum actually works - with the primary worker's reduced benefit counting against the cap and leaving less for auxiliary beneficiaries - is exactly what we're worried about. @Eleanor Foster - thank you so much for sharing your detailed experience and that follow-up breakdown from SSA. Understanding that the 175% family maximum gets divided with your husband's 87% reduced benefit counting first, leaving only 88% to split between you and your son, really helps visualize the math. It's shocking that this crucial information isn't clearly explained upfront. @Kaylee Cook - I'm definitely going to try Claimyr to get through to an actual knowledgeable representative. The PEBES query suggestion seems essential for getting concrete numbers before making any irreversible decisions. This thread has convinced me that we absolutely need professional consultation before my wife files. The potential long-term impact on our son's financial security is too important to leave to SSA's inconsistent explanations. It's frustrating that families already dealing with disability care responsibilities have to become experts in these complex rules just to understand what we're entitled to, but this community's shared knowledge is invaluable. Thank you all for being so open about your experiences!

I had the same panic last year! It's such a relief to read all these responses confirming it's normal. The SSA website really should include a disclaimer about the delay - would save so many people unnecessary stress. I've been working two jobs this year and was worried one of my employers wasn't reporting correctly. Now I know to just be patient and check back next fall. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

As a newcomer to this community, I can't tell you how relieved I am to have found this discussion! I literally just created my SSA.gov account yesterday and when I saw $0 for 2024 earnings, I immediately thought there was some major error with my Social Security contributions. I was already mentally preparing to spend my entire day tomorrow on hold with SSA trying to figure out what went wrong. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a lifesaver - it's clear this is completely normal and I just need to be patient until next fall. It's incredible how many people have had this exact same worry! Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and saving me from unnecessary panic. I'll definitely be checking back annually now that I understand the timeline.