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has anyone here tried going to the congressperson office for help with SS? my neighbor did that when she couldnt get anwhere with her disability claim and suddenly everything got fixed in like 2 weeks
I did this last year! Called my representative's office and explained I was about to be evicted while waiting for my SS appeal. They have dedicated caseworkers for social security issues and got me a status update within 3 days. Didn't speed up my whole case but at least I knew what was happening.
Update on your deadline question: Submitting a written request for extension BEFORE the deadline counts as meeting the requirement. Make sure you include your name, SSN, the date of the denial letter, and explain your good cause reason (documented phone attempts + doctor unavailability). Send it certified mail with return receipt. You should still try to submit your appeal form with whatever evidence you currently have, but the extension request protects your rights.
THANK YOU!!! This is exactly what I needed to know. I'm going to send in what I have tomorrow with the extension request letter via certified mail. You've seriously saved me from a panic attack. I'll also try the Claimyr thing another person mentioned to see if I can actually talk to someone and get verbal confirmation.
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I'm confused why youd even consider claiming now?? If your still working full time at a good job just wait until you ACTUALLY retire! Your getting penalized with the earnings limit AND taking reduced benefits before FRA. Makes no sense to file early in your situation, just my 2 cents!
It's actually a valid question. Sometimes there are situations where claiming early makes sense, like if someone has health concerns or cash flow issues. But you're right that with a good full-time income, the earnings test would significantly reduce any benefits received before FRA. Each situation is unique - that's why getting accurate information from SSA about both benefit amounts is so crucial to making an informed decision.
To address your follow-up question - claiming ex-spouse benefits doesn't impact your own retirement benefits. When you eventually claim your own benefits, if they're higher than what you're receiving as an ex-spouse, you'll be automatically switched to the higher amount. This is different from spousal benefits strategies that existed before 2016. Given your full-time work and earnings level, you might want to consider these options: 1. Wait until your FRA (66+10 months) to avoid the earnings test entirely 2. Wait until you actually retire from your job 3. Speak with SSA to compare both benefit amounts to make an informed decision Remember that your own benefit increases by 8% per year if you delay claiming beyond your FRA, up until age 70, while ex-spouse benefits don't increase after your FRA.
Thank you! I think I'm going to wait until my FRA since I'm planning to work at least until then anyway. The earnings test would really eat into any benefits I'd receive now. I appreciate everyone's help in understanding this complicated system!
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dont forget to bring ur marriage certificates and divorce papers!! they wont be able to tell u accurate info without those!! my sister went in 3 times before they could help her with ex spouse benefits bcuz she didnt have right paperwork
This is excellent advice. For the appointment, you should bring: - Marriage certificates for all marriages - Divorce decrees for all divorces - Death certificates if applicable - Your birth certificate - Your Social Security card - Photo ID Without these documents, they may not be able to give you accurate calculations or properly document your marital history in their system.
Something no one has mentioned yet: if your current husband passes away, you could take widow's benefits at 60 (reduced), then switch to your own retirement at 62 if higher, then potentially switch AGAIN to ex-spouse survivor benefits if ex-spouse #2 passes away and those benefits would be higher. This maximizing strategy is complex but could mean thousands more in benefits over your lifetime. Make sure to ask the SSA rep to explain all possible sequencing scenarios. And definitely mention the RIB-LIM rule specifically - not all reps are familiar with how it works unless you use the technical term.
Thank you! I hadn't even considered this multi-switching strategy. This is why I'm so glad I asked here first before my appointment. I'm writing down all these scenarios and technical terms so I don't forget anything important during my meeting.
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Dont forget about the STUPID WEP and GPO if you have a pension from non-covered employment!!! THAT will DESTROY your benefit calculations and the SSA reps NEVER mention it until its TOO LATE!!!
That's an important consideration, but only applies to people who worked in jobs not covered by Social Security (certain government jobs, railroads, etc.) and earned pensions from that work. For most workers who've spent their careers in Social Security-covered employment, WEP and GPO don't apply. But you're right that anyone with non-covered employment should definitely factor this into their calculations.
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dont 4get youll need separate bank accounts for the kids benefits! SSA requires benefits for minors to go into dedicated accounts. they told my cousin she couldn't use her regular account for her kid's survivors benefits. had to open a new one as representative payee.
This is partially correct. As the parent, you'll be the "representative payee" for your children, responsible for managing their benefits. While you don't need completely separate bank accounts for each child, you do need to keep their funds separate from your personal money. Many banks offer representative payee accounts for this purpose. You'll need to complete an annual Representative Payee Report showing how you spent the benefits on the children's behalf.
To address your original question about appointments - yes, you should definitely schedule one rather than just showing up. As others have mentioned, wait times can be extremely long, especially in busy offices. If you're having trouble getting through on the 800 number, try calling right when they open (8:00 AM Eastern time) or in the last hour before they close (5:30-6:30 PM Eastern). Thursdays and Fridays tend to have slightly shorter wait times than Mondays. Alternatively, check if your local office has a direct number listed. Some do provide direct lines on their local office pages that can be found through the SSA office locator: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
I tried calling at 8:00 AM today and still couldn't get through - just got the message that all representatives are busy. I'll try looking up my local office through that link. Thanks!
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I'm so confused about all this COLA stuff. I'm on SSDI (not SSI), will I get the same 3.2% increase? And when will it show up? My payment date is January 24th this month.
Yes, you'll receive the same 3.2% COLA increase. Since your payment date is January 24th, that payment will include your increase. SSDI follows the same payment schedule as retirement benefits (based on birth date). The increase is automatic - you don't need to do anything to receive it.
Thanks everyone for the helpful info! I'll let my sister know about the PA state supplement too - she probably doesn't even know about that extra $22. Seems like such a small amount though when everything costs so much these days.
Tell her to check if she qualifies for SNAP benefits too if she hasnt already! My mom gets about $180/month for food on top of her SSI and it helps A LOT. Also worth checking into energy assistance programs in your area!
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just curious how much are ur survivor benefits if u don't mind sharing? trying to figure out what my mom might get
I'm getting about $2,750/month as my survivor benefit. But that's based on my husband's earnings record - he was a mechanical engineer for 40+ years with pretty steady high income. Your mom's amount would depend entirely on your dad's earnings history and when he claimed benefits, so it could be quite different.
can u work part time while collecting survivors benefits? asking for my aunt
It depends on your aunt's age: - If she's at full retirement age or older: She can work ANY amount (full-time, part-time, whatever) with NO reduction in survivor benefits - If she's under full retirement age: There are earnings limits that apply. For 2025, if she's not reaching FRA this year, she can earn up to about $22,320 without reduction. If she's reaching FRA this year, she can earn up to about $58,000 in the months before reaching FRA. Benefits are reduced $1 for every $2 or $3 earned above these limits (depending on which limit applies). The rules are the same whether it's part-time or full-time work - only the total earnings matter.
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When my mom applied for survivors after my dad died last year she called the SSA after 2 weeks and found out they were missing a document she already submitted! They fixed it right away after she called and she got her first payment 3 weeks later. So definitely call!!
Just to follow up on what others have said - you mentioned your husband was on SSDI. One important thing to verify when you call is that they're correctly handling the transition from dual benefits (your retirement + his disability) to single benefits (your higher survivor benefit). Sometimes the SSA computers don't automatically make this transition smoothly. Also, if your survivor benefit will be about $450 higher per month as you mentioned, you'll want to confirm that the retroactive adjustment (back to your application date) is being processed correctly. That could be a significant payment that you wouldn't want to miss. When approved, you should receive a detailed award letter explaining the calculation of your new benefit amount. Keep that letter for your records as it's important documentation.
Thank you for mentioning the retroactive payment - I hadn't even considered that! I'll definitely ask about it when I call. And I'll keep an eye out for that award letter. This whole process is so overwhelming, especially while dealing with grief, so I appreciate all the advice.
Will my disabled daughter lose benefits when her father dies? She gets his SS but we weren't married
My daughter (now 26) has been disabled since she was 17 after a serious car accident. She initially received benefits as my dependent when I was approved for SSDI. When she turned 22, they switched her to receive benefits on her father's record instead - about $1,450/month now. He's worked consistently his whole life and has a much higher earnings record than mine.I'm worried about what happens to her benefits when her father passes away. We were never married, though paternity was legally established when she was born. Will her benefits increase, decrease, or stay the same? She's on Medicaid too and can't live independently due to her condition.The local SSA office gave me confusing answers - one person said benefits would increase as survivor benefits, another suggested they might decrease. Anyone dealt with this situation or know the actual rules?
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To answer your follow-up question about calculating the family maximum in advance: Unfortunately, it's difficult to get an exact calculation before the actual event occurs. The family maximum is based on a complex formula related to the wage earner's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).Your best approach is to:1. Have your daughter's father request his Social Security Statement (through ssa.gov or by filing Form SSA-7004)2. Look for the section that shows his full retirement age benefit amount3. When you have that number, you could estimate the family maximum at roughly 150-180% of that amountWhen his benefits need to be divided among multiple survivors (his current wife, minor children, and your daughter), each person's theoretical benefit (75% for each) would be proportionally reduced if the total exceeds the family maximum.However, your daughter's status as a disabled adult child does give her benefits some special protections in certain situations.
Paolo Longo
This whole system is rigged against part-time workers and stay-at-home parents! The fact that you even have to ask this question shows how complicated they've made it. And I bet when you finally do apply they'll find some technicality to reduce what you're owed. My wife worked part-time for 25 years and the SSA STILL messed up her spousal calculation. We had to appeal TWICE to get it fixed!!!
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Miguel Diaz
•While the system can definitely be frustrating, it's actually designed to benefit people who didn't work or worked part-time by providing spousal benefits. Without this provision, many stay-at-home parents would receive no Social Security at all. But you're right that the calculations and timing rules are unnecessarily complex.
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Connor Gallagher
Just to add one more important detail: The "deemed filing" rules changed in 2015. For anyone born after January 1, 1954, when you file for either your retirement or spousal benefit, you are "deemed" to have filed for both. This eliminated some filing strategies that older retirees could use. In your case, when you file, the SSA will automatically give you the higher of either your own benefit or the spousal benefit. But since your own benefit is less than 50% of your husband's, you'll receive your own benefit plus the difference to reach that 50% threshold (assuming you both file at FRA).
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Ava Rodriguez
•Thank you! We were both born after 1954, so the deemed filing rules apply to us. It's good to know that SSA will automatically calculate the best option when I file. This has all been really helpful!
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