Congratulations on reaching your FRA soon! Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - when you do apply in December 2025 or January 2026, consider applying online through your my Social Security account if possible. It's usually faster than paper applications and you can track the status online. Also, once you submit your application, you'll get a receipt number that you can use to check on progress. The whole process took about 6-8 weeks for me from application to first payment, so applying 3-4 months ahead gives you plenty of buffer time. Good luck with your retirement planning!

As someone who just went through this process last year, I can confirm the advice here is spot on! I applied in November for my February FRA and everything went smoothly. One thing I'd add is to take screenshots of your application confirmation page and save your receipt number somewhere safe - I had to reference it when I called to verify my start date was correctly entered. Also, don't be surprised if you get a few different letters from SSA during the process - they sent me about 4 different notices confirming various aspects of my application. The whole experience was much less stressful than I expected once I understood the timeline. You've got this!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Xan. This is such a challenging situation to navigate while you're grieving. I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you have any trouble locating your divorce decree, you might also check with the attorney who handled your divorce (if they're still practicing). Many law firms keep copies of final divorce documents for years, and they might be able to provide you with a copy more quickly than going through the courthouse. Also, when you do call SSA at 8 AM as others suggested, have a pen and paper ready to write down the name of the representative you speak with and any reference numbers they give you. If you need to call back or follow up, having those details can help ensure continuity and avoid having to re-explain your entire situation. Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you have an excellent case for survivor benefits. The potential increase from $2,200 to around $3,100 monthly would make such a meaningful difference. Don't let the process intimidate you - you've got a whole community here supporting you, and you're absolutely entitled to these benefits after a 25-year marriage. You've got this!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Xan. This thread has been incredibly comprehensive and helpful - I've learned so much just reading through everyone's experiences and advice. I wanted to add one small but potentially important detail that I haven't seen mentioned yet: when you do get your appointment with SSA (whether in person or over the phone), ask them to confirm the exact date your ex-husband's benefits stopped. Sometimes there can be discrepancies in their records, and you want to make sure your survivor benefits start from the correct month to maximize your retroactive payments. Also, if you're comfortable sharing, please update us on how the process goes! This thread has become such a valuable resource for anyone dealing with ex-spouse survivor benefits, and hearing about your actual experience could help future community members who find themselves in similar situations. Wishing you strength and success in getting the benefits you're entitled to - based on everything shared here, it really sounds like you have a very strong case and should see that significant monthly increase everyone has been discussing.

To summarize what everyone's said: While your son is earning above SGA during his EPE, his benefits are suspended (not terminated). During months of suspension, you would not be eligible for Child-in-Care benefits because he's not receiving benefits. For any months he earns under SGA during the EPE, both his benefits and your Child-in-Care benefits could be reinstated for those specific months. After the EPE ends, if he's still working above SGA, his benefits would be terminated, which would permanently end your eligibility for Child-in-Care benefits (unless he files a new application later).

I'm dealing with a very similar situation as a newcomer to understanding these benefits. My husband passed away 6 months ago, and our 25-year-old daughter has intellectual disabilities but recently started working 20 hours a week at a local grocery store through a supported employment program. She's earning about $900/month, which is under SGA, so she's still receiving her SSDI payments. I've been getting Child-in-Care benefits, but I'm worried about what happens if she gets more hours or a raise that puts her over the SGA limit. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful - it sounds like the moment her earnings go above SGA and her benefits get suspended, I'll lose my Child-in-Care benefits too, even though she'll still need my daily support with transportation, meal planning, and managing her finances. It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one navigating this confusing system, but also frustrating to see how the rules can discourage our loved ones from achieving more independence.

I'm new to this community and dealing with Social Security for the first time. This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - made a direct deposit change in person about 10 days ago and have been checking the website obsessively. Reading everyone's experiences here has really put my mind at ease. It's clear this website lag is completely normal and that the in-person changes are reliable. I especially appreciate all the warnings about NOT making changes online - I was actually considering doing that tomorrow but now I know it could mess everything up. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, especially those who explained the technical reasons why their systems don't sync up properly. This community is such a valuable resource for people navigating SSA processes!

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences here! I'm going through my first time dealing with Social Security and made a direct deposit change in person two weeks ago. Like many others here, I've been worried seeing my old account still showing online. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear this website lag is completely normal and that in-person changes are reliable even when the online portal doesn't reflect them immediately. I especially appreciate everyone's warnings about not making duplicate changes online, as I was actually considering that before finding this thread. It's frustrating that SSA doesn't explain these system delays when you visit in person, but this community is such a valuable resource for understanding how their processes actually work. Thanks for helping newcomers like me navigate these confusing systems!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful to have found this detailed discussion! I'm actually in a very similar situation with my sister who just received SSI back pay approval, and reading through everyone's experiences has been so reassuring. What really stands out to me is how everyone emphasizes the same key points: formal written agreements, fair market rent rates, consistent bank transfer documentation, and starting payments early in the spend-down period rather than waiting until the deadline approaches. The fact that multiple people have successfully navigated this exact process gives me confidence we can do it right too. I love the practical documentation strategies shared here - from getting rental market analysis to support fair pricing, to keeping detailed log books and calendars tracking every payment. The housing expense worksheet idea that breaks down total costs divided by residents is brilliant for justifying the rent amount objectively. One question I haven't seen addressed - if my sister's SSI gets reviewed during the 9-month spend-down period while she's actively paying rent, does that affect the timeline at all? Or does the spend-down clock keep running normally regardless of when reviews happen? This thread should definitely be saved as a reference guide. Between all the real-world experiences and professional insights shared here, it's become such a comprehensive resource for anyone dealing with SSI back pay and housing arrangements. Thank you to everyone for sharing your knowledge!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have discovered this incredibly detailed discussion! I'm currently helping my brother navigate his SSI back pay situation, and this thread has been more valuable than anything I could find through official SSA resources. What really impresses me is how everyone's advice aligns so perfectly around the core requirements: written rental agreements at fair market rates, consistent bank transfer documentation, early payment establishment during the spend-down period, and proactive communication with SSA. Seeing multiple people share successful experiences using this exact approach gives me tremendous confidence. I wanted to add one detail from our recent consultation with a benefits counselor - they emphasized keeping a "benefits file" specifically for SSI-related documents, separate from other paperwork. This includes copies of the rental agreement, all payment receipts, bank statements showing transfers, and any correspondence with SSA about the housing arrangement. Having everything organized in one place makes reviews much smoother. The practical strategies shared here are incredible - from Theodore's rental market analysis to Miguel's expense worksheets to the calendar tracking suggestions. This thread has essentially created a master guide for properly using SSI back pay for housing expenses while maintaining benefits eligibility. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real-world experiences and professional insights. This community knowledge is absolutely invaluable for navigating these complex government systems successfully!