Welcome to the community! As a newcomer myself, I just wanted to add that I'm going through the exact same situation and this thread has been incredibly reassuring. I've been working consistently throughout 2024 but was alarmed to see zeros showing up in my SSA account when I checked it this week. What I find most helpful from everyone's responses is understanding that this is completely separate from tax filing - I was confused because I got my tax refund processed so quickly that I expected all government systems to update at the same pace. Learning about the W-2 batch processing system and the 4-6 month delay makes total sense, even if it's frustrating from a user experience perspective. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about checking back in late summer rather than stressing about it now. It's also good to know that as long as I can verify Social Security taxes are being deducted from my paystubs (which they are), everything should eventually be credited correctly. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this kind of real-world knowledge is invaluable for navigating these government processes!

Just wanted to add my voice as another newcomer who stumbled into this community while frantically searching for answers about the same exact issue! Like so many others here, I saw zeros for 2024 in my SSA account and immediately went into panic mode thinking something was seriously wrong. What's been most eye-opening for me is learning how completely separate the SSA and IRS systems are. I think a lot of us assume that since we can check our tax refund status online in real-time and get lightning-fast updates, all government agencies must work the same way. Finding out that SSA operates on a completely different timeline with batch processing that can take 4-6 months was honestly shocking in 2024! This thread has been more informative than anything I could find on the official SSA website. The explanations about Annual Wage Reporting and W-2 processing have finally helped me understand why there's such a massive delay. I'm definitely going to stop my daily account checking habit and set a reminder to look again in August. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's incredible how this community provides the kind of practical, real-world information that you just can't get from official government sources. Really glad I found this place!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Malik. What a devastating situation to lose your father and then have to navigate all of this while caring for your niece. I wanted to add something that might be helpful - you should also gather any documentation showing your father made financial decisions on your niece's behalf. Things like bank account records showing he paid for her expenses, receipts for major purchases like clothes or school supplies, or even records of him opening savings accounts for her future. These kinds of financial records can really strengthen the case that he was acting as her primary provider. Also, when you speak with SSA, make sure to emphasize the duration of the arrangement - 6 years is a significant period that shows this wasn't a temporary situation but a stable, long-term caregiving relationship. The fact that he was planning for retirement while still supporting her also demonstrates his ongoing commitment to her care. One more thing - if your niece qualifies for benefits, they should be retroactive to the month of your father's death. So even though it's been some time since he passed, you wouldn't lose out on those months of benefits if approved. You've gotten excellent advice from everyone here about documentation and persistence. Your preparation sounds thorough, and the fact that you're pursuing guardianship shows your commitment to her wellbeing. Best of luck with your SSA appointment.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Malik. This is an incredibly difficult situation, and it's clear how much your father meant to your niece. I wanted to share something that might be relevant to your case. I work in family services, and I've seen similar situations where grandparents were the de facto parents. One thing that often helps establish the dependency relationship is any documentation showing your father made educational decisions for your niece - things like parent-teacher conference records, school enrollment forms, or even report cards that were sent to him as the responsible adult. Also, since you mentioned your father had her on his health insurance, you should request a letter from the insurance company showing the dates of coverage and confirming he listed her as his dependent. Insurance companies typically require proof of dependency to add non-biological children, so this could be strong evidence. The fact that your father was 66 and had just filed for benefits actually puts you in a good position - his work record should easily meet the "fully insured" requirement, and there shouldn't be any questions about his eligibility to provide survivor benefits. When you meet with SSA, consider bringing a timeline showing the progression of his responsibility for her care over the 6 years. Sometimes a clear chronology helps case workers understand the relationship better than scattered documents. Your preparation sounds excellent, and I hope SSA recognizes what's clearly a legitimate dependency relationship. Please keep us updated on how it goes.

What an incredible thread to read through! As someone who's still a few years away from retirement but already worrying about the Social Security process, this whole discussion has been both terrifying and reassuring at the same time. The fact that Jamal's issue resolved itself exactly as the experienced community members predicted really demonstrates the value of having knowledgeable people share their insights. I'm definitely saving this conversation for when my time comes. The technical details about the June 1978 system date, the MACADE system reference, and knowing that statement access gets temporarily disabled during processing are all incredibly useful pieces of information that I never would have known otherwise. It's also comforting to see how supportive everyone was during what must have been an extremely stressful week for Jamal. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences - this is exactly the kind of community knowledge sharing that makes navigating complex government systems so much easier!

What a journey this has been to read through! As a newcomer to this community, I'm blown away by how this thread perfectly captures both the terror and relief that comes with navigating Social Security for the first time. Seeing Jamal's initial panic transform into relief, and witnessing how the community rallied with both technical expertise and emotional support, really shows what makes these forums so valuable. The insights shared here - especially about the June 1978 system date being a default placeholder and the tip about requesting a MACADE system check - are absolute gold for anyone going through this process. It's fascinating how what initially looked like a catastrophic system failure was actually just a routine processing quirk that resolves itself with patience. I'm definitely saving this entire conversation as a reference guide. The combination of technical knowledge from former SSA employees, personal experiences from people who've been through similar scares, and the ultimate happy ending makes this thread a perfect resource for future applicants. Thank you to everyone who contributed - this is exactly the kind of community wisdom that makes complex government processes feel manageable!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who started benefits mid-year - I filed in July and received the full COLA increase in January with no issues whatsoever. The Social Security Administration's system automatically applies the adjustment to everyone receiving benefits when it goes into effect, regardless of how long you've been collecting. Don't let anyone tell you there's a waiting period because there simply isn't one! Since you're at your FRA, you're in a great position to start now and still get the 2.45% increase come January. The online application really is the best route - I had mine processed within a few weeks and avoided all the phone hassles. You've got this!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm in a similar situation - turning 67 next month and planning to file for Social Security. Reading through everyone's experiences and confirmations about the COLA eligibility has been incredibly valuable. It's clear from all the responses that the cost-of-living adjustment applies automatically to anyone receiving benefits when it takes effect in January, regardless of when you started during the year. The consistency of information here, especially from people who have actually gone through this process recently, gives me a lot of confidence. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences - this is exactly the kind of supportive community I was hoping to find!

Oh that's a good point. I'm on my husband's insurance through his employer (he's 64 and still working). I'll have to check with his HR department about this. Thanks for bringing it up!

Hope you recover quickly! Just wanted to add that if you do end up needing someone to help you apply, make sure they have all your personal information ready - Social Security number, birth certificate info, work history for the last couple years, and your bank account details for direct deposit. The SSA website also lets you create a "my Social Security" account ahead of time which can speed up the process. If your daughter is helping with the laptop, she could even help you set that up first. Wishing you a smooth application process and speedy recovery!