Update: I finally got through to someone at SSA after being on hold for 2 hours. They said my provisional payments should start within the next 2-3 weeks and that my case has been assigned to an examiner for review. Feeling a bit relieved but still worried about making it until then. Thanks everyone for the advice and support!

That's such great news! I'm so happy you finally got through to someone who could give you actual information. 2-3 weeks for provisional payments sounds much more reasonable than what some people are experiencing. Make sure to keep that reference number or case number from your call if they gave you one - it can help speed things up if you need to call again. You've been through the hardest part already by getting all your paperwork submitted quickly. Hang in there, you're almost through this nightmare!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress on top of your own health issues! One thing that helped me during my husband's CDR was creating a comprehensive timeline document before the psychiatrist appointment. I listed: - All medications he's currently taking (with dosages and how long he's been on each) - Any dosage changes in the past year - Specific episodes or difficult periods he's had recently - How his conditions affect daily activities (showering, grocery shopping, social situations, etc.) - Any triggers that make symptoms worse Having this organized beforehand made the appointment much more productive, and the psychiatrist was able to write a more detailed assessment. Also, if his previous psychiatrist retired, try to get those records transferred ASAP - continuity of care documentation can be really valuable even with the gap. The fact that he's been medication compliant this whole time actually works in your favor - it shows he's actively managing his condition, not ignoring it. You're handling this exactly right by getting current documentation. Wishing you both the best outcome!

I've been through a CDR myself and want to share what worked for me. First, breathe - the fact that he's been medication compliant this whole time is actually a huge positive. When I called to schedule my psychiatrist appointment, I explained it was for a CDR and they prioritized it within two weeks. Here's what made the biggest difference in my case: - I brought a written list of all current symptoms and how they specifically impact work-related tasks (concentration, social interaction, stress tolerance, etc.) - I asked the psychiatrist to write a detailed letter explaining why my condition still prevents substantial gainful activity, even with medication - I documented several recent examples of how my condition affects daily functioning The key thing to remember is that CDRs for mental health conditions focus on whether you can maintain consistent, full-time work. Even if he has some good days, the unpredictability of bipolar disorder and his severe social anxiety are major barriers to employment. Make sure the psychiatrist understands this isn't just about "feeling better" - it's about work capacity. You're being proactive by scheduling the appointment now. That shows you're taking his treatment seriously, which actually strengthens his case. Good luck!

Smart decision to take your time and research all your options! One more thing to consider - you might want to ask SSA about "deemed filing" rules when you meet with them. If you're eligible for both your own retirement benefit and divorced spouse benefits, there are some complex rules about how they handle the application that can affect your strategy. Also, keep in mind that even if your own benefit ends up being higher now, your ex's benefit might grow more over time if he continues working, so the comparison could change. Good luck with everything - you're asking all the right questions!

Just want to add one more important tip - when you do apply, make sure to ask specifically about "restricted application" strategies if you're eligible for both your own benefit and divorced spouse benefits. Also, if your ex-husband is significantly older than you and already receiving benefits, you might want to check if his benefit amount has increased due to delayed retirement credits (he gets 8% per year for each year he delays past full retirement age until age 70). This could make the divorced spouse benefit more attractive than it appears on paper. The SSA representatives don't always volunteer this information, so you have to ask directly. Document everything they tell you and get it in writing if possible - I've heard too many stories of people getting different answers from different representatives!

I'm really sorry you're going through this difficult situation. As someone who works in immigration law, I see identity discrepancy cases fairly regularly, and you're definitely not alone in this. A few additional points to consider: 1. **Timing**: There's generally no strict deadline for filing survivor benefits, but you can only receive retroactive payments for up to 6 months before your application date, so don't delay too long. 2. **Documentation strategy**: When you go in person, organize your documents chronologically - marriage certificate (1982), any documents showing his identity changes, divorce decree, death certificate. This helps the claims specialist follow the timeline. 3. **Earnings record**: The SSA will need to verify which Social Security number and identity was used for his work history. If he worked under the assumed identity for many years, that's likely the record they'll use for benefit calculations. 4. **Your protection**: Since you were legally married under the identity he used at that time, your marriage is valid regardless of his original name discrepancy. You had no way of knowing about the identity issue. Don't let anyone make you feel like you did something wrong. Focus on getting that in-person appointment - phone representatives often can't handle complex cases like this effectively. Bring a friend or family member for support if needed.

I'm a benefits coordinator and wanted to add that when you do get your appointment scheduled, ask specifically to speak with a "technical expert" or "complex case specialist" rather than a general claims representative. This type of identity verification case requires someone with experience in these situations. Also, don't be surprised if they need to put a temporary hold on processing while they investigate the earnings record. This is standard procedure and doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. The investigation typically involves cross-referencing work history, tax records, and immigration documents to establish the correct identity for benefit purposes. One more thing - if his current widow files for benefits first, it won't affect your eligibility as an ex-spouse. Your claims are processed independently of each other, which is different from how current spouse benefits work.

Thank you all for the helpful information. I didn't realize how complicated this would be! So if I understand correctly: 1. If we both claim at 62 and my husband passes away before his FRA (which is 67), I'd get the larger of either 82.5% of his PIA or what he was actually receiving at 62 2. If he passes after his FRA, I'd just get what he was actually receiving 3. My own claiming decision creates separate reductions if I'm not at my FRA when applying for survivor benefits Based on this, should we reconsider our plan? Maybe he should wait longer even if I claim early? I really appreciate all the guidance.

This is such a helpful discussion! I'm in a similar situation but haven't made any decisions yet. One thing I'm wondering about - if AstroAce's husband delays claiming but she takes benefits at 62, what happens to her own retirement benefit when she eventually switches to survivor benefits? Does she lose her own benefit completely, or does SSA somehow combine them? Also, are there any tax implications to consider when switching from your own retirement benefit to survivor benefits? I know Social Security can be taxable depending on your total income, but I'm not sure if the type of benefit matters.