My brother applied for SS disability last year and they told him they lost his medical records too! He had to start his whole application over. Then they denied him anyway even with all his evidence! The whole system is broken. Good luck but don't get your hopes up.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! Document issues seem unfortunately common with SSA's system. A few suggestions that might help: First, during your callback tomorrow, ask them to read back the specific document titles/dates they have on file - not just page counts. This will help you identify what's actually missing. Second, if you have any particularly crucial records (like your neurologist reports you mentioned), consider having that doctor's office fax them directly to SSA with your claim number - sometimes this bypasses the portal issues entirely. Finally, keep detailed notes of every conversation including the representative's name and what they tell you. The anxiety around this process is real, but many people have gotten through similar document confusion and still been approved. You're being proactive by following up, which is exactly what you should be doing!

Just wanted to add that if you're ever unsure about your specific situation, you can also check your my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. It shows your projected payment amounts and dates for different scenarios. I found it really helpful when I was planning my transition from work to retirement benefits. The online tools have gotten much better over the years and can give you personalized information without having to wait on hold!

This has been such an informative discussion! I'm actually in my early 50s and just starting to think about all these Social Security decisions for the future. My husband is 8 years older than me, so I'm trying to understand how survivor benefits might work if something happens to him before I retire. From reading all your responses, it sounds like the key takeaway is that payment dates stay tied to YOUR birth date regardless of what type of benefit you're receiving. That's actually really helpful to know for planning purposes. One question I have after reading through everything - if someone is receiving survivor benefits and then becomes eligible for their own retirement benefits later, how do you know which one will pay more? Is there an easy way to compare them, or do you have to call SSA to get those numbers? Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences here. It's so much more helpful than trying to figure this out from the government websites alone!

Just a final note: one strategy some families use is to put the Social Security benefits into a dedicated college savings account (not a 529, as that would still count as an asset). Then when your child is in their junior year of high school, you can use those funds to pay for necessary family expenses, which can indirectly help your EFC calculation for FAFSA. This requires planning ahead, but might be something to consider if your son is still a couple years from college.

As someone who just went through this process with my daughter, I want to add that it's worth contacting the financial aid offices directly at schools your son is considering. Some colleges have special provisions for families receiving disability benefits and may offer additional institutional aid or have different ways of calculating need. Also, don't forget about vocational rehabilitation services through your state - if your son has any qualifying conditions, they sometimes provide educational assistance that can supplement what financial aid doesn't cover. The key is to be upfront about your family's situation early in the application process rather than trying to figure it out after acceptances come in.

Both of your questions are really common! For state taxes, each state handles retirement income differently. While Social Security only handles federal withholding, many retirees set up quarterly estimated payments with their state. Some states don't tax Social Security benefits at all though - which state are you in? That makes a big difference. On Medicare - yes, you'll need documentation, but you should be fine. This situation (staying on a spouse's active employer plan) is specifically protected under Medicare rules. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Just make sure you apply within 8 months of when that coverage ends. Honestly, I'd recommend making an appointment at your local Social Security office for these questions. These issues are complex enough that speaking with someone directly is your best bet.

does anybody else think its RIDICULOUS that ss wont withhold state taxes?? they already have all our information and do federal withholding. just one more thing to complicate retirement!!

my grandma had same problem. you gotta b agressive w/ SSA or they will keep shorting her. good luck

I work as a benefits counselor and see this issue frequently. Your mom is almost certainly entitled to more money. Here's what likely happened: when she filed, SSA should have automatically calculated both her worker benefit AND spousal benefit, then paid whichever is higher. If her own benefit ($875) is less than 50% of your dad's PIA, she should get a "spousal supplement" to bring her up to that 50% level. The math looks wrong based on what you've shared. If your dad gets $2,200 and waited until FRA, your mom should be getting closer to $1,100 (50% of his PIA). That's potentially $225+ per month she's missing! Don't just call once - be prepared to make multiple calls if needed. Ask specifically: "Is my mother receiving all spousal benefits she's entitled to?" Document who you speak with and what they tell you. If they say she's getting everything she deserves, ask them to explain the calculation in writing. Also request a "benefit verification letter" that shows the breakdown of her payments. This will help you understand exactly what components make up her current benefit amount.