I'm so sorry for your loss, Anastasia. Having read through all the excellent advice shared here, it's clear you've received comprehensive guidance from people who truly understand what you're going through. Just to echo what everyone has said - definitely keep your October 31st appointment. The difference between filing at 61 years 11 months versus 62 is negligible (around $5-10 monthly), and you'll get your first payment sooner. One small addition to all the great tips already shared: consider asking the SSA representative to email or mail you a summary of your conversation if that's possible. While taking notes during the call is important, having an official record from them can be really helpful for your files and peace of mind. You sound so much more prepared and confident now thanks to this supportive community. The appointment will go much better than you expect - SSA reps are generally very patient with surviving spouses. You've got all the right questions ready and know exactly what to expect. Take care of yourself during this difficult time!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Anastasia. Reading through this thread, you've received such thorough and compassionate advice from this community - it's truly heartwarming to see everyone come together to help you during this difficult time. Based on everything shared here, I'd definitely echo the consensus: keep your October 31st appointment. That 3-day difference really is minimal in terms of benefit reduction (maybe $5-8 per month), and starting the process earlier means you'll receive your first payment in November rather than December. One thing I'd add that might help ease some anxiety: remember that this phone appointment is just the beginning of the process, not a final commitment. The SSA representative will walk you through all the calculations and options, and you'll have time to review everything before any final decisions are made. You've clearly done your homework by asking these questions upfront, and now you have a comprehensive list of what to ask about during your call. The fact that you're being so thoughtful and prepared shows you're going to handle this process really well. Wishing you strength and peace as you navigate this next step. This community has shown how supportive they are - don't hesitate to come back with any follow-up questions after your appointment!

sorry about your dad but count yourself lucky they only took back one month!! when my grandpa died they somehow took back 3 MONTHS of payments and said he wasnt eligible!! took my aunt almost a year to get it fixed and by then we had already paid all his bills from our own money! the whole system is a mess.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sofia. I went through something very similar when my mother passed away last October, and the Social Security payment timing was equally confusing for me. From what I understand after dealing with this myself, the January 30th payment your father received was indeed FOR January 2025 (not December 2024), which is why it included the 2025 COLA increase. Since he lived through the entire month of January, that payment was correctly his to keep. The February 28th payment they reclaimed was for February 2025. Because your father passed on February 18th, he didn't live through the complete month of February, so under Social Security rules, he wasn't entitled to that month's benefit. Your 1099-SSA showing only one month's payment for 2025 sounds correct - that would be the January payment. It can be really hard to wrap your head around because the timing seems counterintuitive, but the key rule is that the recipient must be alive for every day of the month to receive that month's benefit. I hope this helps clarify things during what I know is already a difficult time dealing with all the administrative details after losing a parent.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Having to navigate Social Security rules during grief is incredibly difficult. Just wanted to share that when my aunt passed away last year, we had a similar situation with a payment that came after her death. The SSA representative told us something that might be helpful for your records - when you return the payment, make sure to include a brief note with your father's Social Security number and the reason for the return (death on 12/14/25). This helps them process it correctly and avoid any confusion later. Also, if the payment was direct deposited into an account that had other beneficiaries or joint account holders, make sure the bank understands which specific deposit needs to be returned so they don't accidentally reverse other legitimate deposits. The whole system is frustrating with the "all or nothing" monthly rule, but you're handling it exactly right by being proactive. Sending you strength during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is never easy, and having to navigate these complex bureaucratic processes while grieving makes everything so much harder. It sounds like you've gotten excellent guidance from this community and have handled everything exactly right by being proactive with SSA. I just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - when my father passed away two years ago, I learned that it's worth asking SSA for written confirmation once they process the returned payment. Sometimes there can be delays or miscommunications in their system, and having documentation that the overpayment was properly returned can save headaches if any issues come up later during estate settlement. You're clearly being very thorough and thoughtful about handling all of this properly. Wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Thanks everyone for the helpful answers! I called Social Security using the Claimyr service that someone recommended, and it really did get me through quickly! The representative explained that since this is my first year on benefits, I can use the monthly test for the rest of 2025. That's perfect because I can limit my hours to stay under $1,770 each month, even during holiday seasons when I usually work more. Then next year I'll need to watch my annual total instead. They also told me that if I do go over, they don't immediately take money back - they adjust future payments. And the part about getting credited back after I reach full retirement age was news to me! Makes the whole system seem more fair. Thanks again for all the advice!

I'm glad you got through to SSA and got clarity on your situation! That monthly test for the first year is really helpful for people with variable income. Just wanted to add one more thing - make sure to keep good records of your monthly earnings throughout the year. Even though you're using the monthly test, SSA may still want documentation if there are any questions later. I keep a simple spreadsheet with my hours and gross pay each month, plus copies of all my paystubs. It's saved me headaches during reviews. Good luck with managing your seasonal work schedule!

I'm a newcomer here but had to jump in because this hits close to home. My neighbor went through almost the exact same situation with missing DRCs last year. What finally worked for her was getting her case escalated to what's called a "Critical Case" status at the Regional Office level. Here's what she learned: there's actually a specific SSA form called SSA-795 (Statement of Claimant or Other Person) that you can use to document your case and request expedited handling. She filled it out detailing all 18 months of attempts and specifically requested "Critical Case" designation due to financial hardship from the delayed payments. The key was being very specific about the financial impact - she calculated not just the monthly shortfall but also the opportunity cost of that money (what it would have earned in savings, bills that went unpaid, etc.). That seemed to get their attention faster than just saying "I'm owed money." Also, when you contact your senators, ask them to specifically request a "Congressional Inquiry Response" rather than just a general inquiry. Apparently there's a difference in how SSA prioritizes these. I really hope this gets resolved soon - 18 months is absolutely ridiculous for something that should be automatic. Keep fighting!

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm dealing with a similar DRC issue myself (only 6 months in, but already feeling the frustration). Reading through all these responses, I'm putting together an action plan based on everyone's advice: 1. Request SSA-795 form and document everything for Critical Case status 2. Contact both senators specifically asking for "Congressional Inquiry Response" 3. Ask for District Manager by title at local office 4. Request Technical Expert (TE) meeting about DRC calculations 5. File FOIA request to see what's actually in my file 6. Put ALL future promises in writing @Aisha - your persistence is inspiring even though you shouldn't have to fight this hard. The fact that you've kept detailed records of 11+ office visits shows you're doing everything right. The system is failing you, not the other way around. One question for the group: has anyone had success with the "expedited critical case" route mentioned earlier? I'm curious about typical timeframes once a case gets that designation. Also wondering if there are any attorneys who specialize in Social Security administrative delays (not disability lawyers, but specifically benefit calculation errors)? Thanks to everyone sharing their knowledge and experiences. This is exactly why communities like this are so valuable!