I'm pretty new to this community and just started receiving Social Security benefits a few months ago, so this thread has been incredibly helpful! It's both comforting and infuriating to see how universal this experience is with SSA's confusing letters. The fact that you got through in 45 minutes is honestly amazing - I've been putting off calling them because I keep hearing about these multi-hour wait times. It's ridiculous that they consistently send out notices that panic people who are already stressed about their financial security. I'm definitely taking notes on that early morning calling strategy and bookmarking this whole discussion for when I inevitably get one of those scary-sounding letters. Thanks for sharing your victory and proving that sometimes these terrifying notices really are just poor communication rather than actual problems! This community seems like such a lifesaver for navigating the SSA bureaucracy.

I'm completely new to both this community and Social Security - literally just found this forum while frantically googling about a confusing letter I received yesterday! Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief and education at the same time. It's incredible how many people have had virtually identical experiences with these panic-inducing SSA notices. I was honestly preparing for the worst after getting what seemed like a scary payment delay notice, but seeing everyone's stories here gives me hope that it's probably just their typical terrible communication rather than an actual problem. The fact that even SSA reps admit they get flooded with calls about this shows they know exactly how confusing their letters are but haven't bothered to fix them! I'm definitely going to try that 7am calling strategy tomorrow morning. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community already feels like a lifeline for navigating this bureaucratic nightmare!

As someone new to this community, I want to thank everyone for such detailed and helpful responses! I'm approaching my own retirement planning phase and this conversation has been incredibly educational. The clarification about benefit amounts being based on the chosen start date rather than filing date is exactly the kind of insider knowledge that's hard to find in the official SSA materials. I particularly appreciate the real-world experiences from those who've recently gone through this process - it really helps to hear that the system works as intended when you plan ahead properly. One follow-up question for the group: for those who filed online, did you find the "my Social Security" account interface intuitive, or were there any parts of the application process that were confusing or unclear? I'm trying to decide whether to file online or visit a local SSA office when my time comes.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to echo what others have said about how valuable this discussion has been! I'm still a few years away from retirement but starting to educate myself on the process. One thing that really stands out to me from reading through all these responses is how important it is to understand the distinction between filing date and benefit start date. This seems like such a critical detail that could easily trip people up if they don't know to look for it. @Amina Bah - your original question was excellent and really got to the heart of a timing issue that I'm sure many people face. The $4,000 monthly benefit you mentioned is impressive - it's motivating to see what's possible with careful career planning and maximizing contributions over time. For those who shared their recent experiences going through this process (@Tami Morgan, @Connor Richards, @Diego Chavez), thank you for the real-world insights! It's reassuring to hear that the online system works as designed and that filing 3 months early with the correct benefit start date produces the expected results. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for when my time comes to file. This community seems like such a valuable resource for navigating these important financial decisions!

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom, Dominique. This is such a difficult time to have to deal with all this paperwork and bureaucracy on top of grieving. I helped my elderly aunt navigate survivor benefits when my uncle passed away about 6 months ago. One thing that really made a difference was having someone else (me) on the phone call as a support person - SSA allows this if your dad gives verbal permission at the start of the call. It helped because my aunt was emotional and sometimes missed details the agent was explaining. Also, since bills are piling up and your dad is worried about finances, make sure to ask specifically about the "protective filing date" during your interview. This can help maximize any back payments and ensure you don't lose any potential benefits due to timing. The phone interview itself lasted about 45 minutes for us. The agent was very patient and understanding. One tip - if your dad gets overwhelmed or needs a break during the call, don't hesitate to ask the agent to pause or explain something again. They're used to dealing with people during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Based on what others have shared and our experience, it sounds like you're gathering all the right documents. You're being such a good advocate for your dad during this incredibly challenging time. The fact that you're being so thorough in preparing shows how much you care. He's lucky to have you helping him through this process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Dominique. Having just helped my grandmother through this same process a few months ago, I wanted to share one thing that really streamlined everything for us - if you can get to your local Social Security office and pick up form SSA-10 (Application for Widow's or Widower's Benefits) beforehand, you can fill it out together with your dad before the phone interview. This way he won't be trying to remember dates and details while on the call when emotions might be running high. You can find it online too, but having it printed and filled out made our phone interview much shorter and less stressful. The agent was able to verify the information quickly rather than going through each question step by step. Also, even though others mentioned copies are fine, I'd still keep those originals accessible - in our case, they did request to see the original marriage certificate later in the process. You're doing such an incredible job supporting your dad through this. The preparedness you're showing will make all the difference.

As someone who recently navigated this same frustrating situation, I can confirm that persistence absolutely pays off! I had 2023 earnings that should have increased my benefit but weren't included in my initial calculation. After reading through all these comments, I'm now armed with the exact terminology I need. A few additional tips from my experience: When you call, also ask them to explain WHY your 2023 earnings weren't included initially - was it a timing issue with when you applied versus when the earnings were posted, or did the AERO process genuinely miss you? This helps you understand if it was a system error versus normal processing delays. Also, if the first representative can't help, politely ask to be transferred to the "Technical Expert" unit that specializes in benefit computations. Don't just ask for a supervisor - ask specifically for someone who handles computation issues. I found they were much more knowledgeable about the AERO process and manual recalculations. Good luck - with $87,500 being your highest year, this recalculation could make a significant difference in your monthly payments!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Started collecting in August 2024 and my 2023 earnings ($92,000 - also my highest year) weren't included in my initial calculation. I called twice and got completely different explanations each time. The first rep told me it would automatically update "eventually" and the second one said I needed to wait for the next AERO cycle. After reading all these responses, I'm realizing I've been way too passive about this. I'm going to call tomorrow morning and use the specific language everyone mentioned - asking for a manual recalculation since my 2023 earnings are posted but weren't included in my computation years. One question though - has anyone had success getting this fixed through their local SSA office instead of the 1-800 number? I'm wondering if going in person might be more effective, especially if I bring my W-2 and benefit letter with me. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice here. This thread has been incredibly helpful in understanding that this isn't normal and I don't have to just accept waiting until next year!

I've been following this conversation as someone who's been on SSDI for 7 years and recently started selling my ceramics. The advice here is excellent, and I wanted to add one more resource that's been invaluable for me - the Red Book from SSA. It's their official guide to work incentives and you can download it for free from their website. It's pretty dense reading, but Chapter 2 covers all the SSDI work incentives in detail. One specific thing about your $8K sale - if you do decide to proceed, make sure you understand the difference between "countable income" and gross sales. As others mentioned, you can deduct legitimate business expenses, but you can also potentially deduct Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) if your disability requires special equipment or accommodations for your art practice. Things like ergonomic brushes, special lighting, modified seating, or even transportation to medical appointments related to your condition can potentially be deducted. Also, since you mentioned this sale could help your financial situation but you're worried about losing healthcare - remember that even if your SSDI cash benefits are suspended due to earnings, your Medicare coverage continues during the Extended Period of Eligibility (36 months after your Trial Work Period ends). This safety net might give you more flexibility than you realize. The community here is giving you great advice - definitely get that WIPA counseling before making any decisions. They can run actual numbers for your situation instead of general scenarios. Good luck with your gallery show!

I've been reading through this entire thread as someone who's also navigating SSDI and creative work, and I wanted to add something that might be helpful - the importance of timing your communication with SSA. If you do decide to proceed with the $8K sale, consider reporting it to SSA BEFORE you receive the payment rather than after. I learned this from my benefits counselor when I had a similar situation with freelance writing. By reporting expected income proactively, you give SSA a chance to review how it will be counted and potentially avoid any surprises or overpayment issues later. Also, one practical tip that saved me a lot of stress: when you call SSA or meet with representatives, always get their name and the date/time of your conversation. Write down exactly what they tell you about how your income will be handled. If there are ever discrepancies later, having specific details about who told you what can be incredibly valuable. The fact that your art is therapeutic adds another layer that's worth documenting with your healthcare providers. If your doctor can note in your medical records how art practice helps manage your condition, it strengthens the case that this isn't just "work" in the traditional sense - it's part of your treatment plan that happens to generate some income. This thread has been so educational - thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences. It really shows how complex these situations can be but also that there are legitimate paths forward with proper guidance!