As a newcomer here, I wanted to add something that might help based on what I've learned from dealing with SSA bureaucracy. The conflicting information you're getting (representative payee letters vs. verbal denial) suggests this might be what's called a "split determination" where different parts of your case were processed by different units. Sometimes the automated system approves auxiliary benefits and sends out representative payee letters, but then a manual review by a different examiner results in a denial. This creates exactly the kind of confusion you're experiencing. I'd recommend specifically asking SSA for a "case timeline" when you call - this will show you the chronological order of all decisions made on your case. You might find that benefits were initially approved (hence the rep payee letters), then later denied during a secondary review. Also, regarding the 50% support test - many people don't realize that SSA looks at support on a month-by-month basis, not annually. So if there were specific months where your financial contribution was higher (maybe you paid for school clothes, medical expenses, etc.), you could potentially qualify based on those individual months rather than needing to meet the threshold every single month. The pooled finances approach others mentioned is definitely your best bet. Since you've been married 8 years with completely integrated finances, you should be able to demonstrate that distinguishing between "his" and "her" contributions doesn't reflect the economic reality of your household.

As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this discussion with great interest since I'm also navigating SSA complexities. Your situation really highlights how confusing their processes can be! One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you do end up needing to appeal this decision, consider requesting an "on-the-record" review before it goes to a hearing. This is where an administrative law judge reviews your case based solely on the documentation you submit, without requiring an in-person hearing. Given that your case seems to involve conflicting determinations rather than disputed facts, this might be a faster route than waiting for a full hearing. Also, when you're documenting your financial contributions, don't forget to include any irregular but significant expenses you've covered - things like emergency medical co-pays, school field trips, extracurricular activities, or even things like haircuts and shoes. These smaller expenses can really add up over time and help demonstrate your ongoing financial commitment to the children. The fact that you restructured your entire work life around these kids' needs for 8 years shows incredible dedication. The financial documentation will be crucial, but don't underestimate the power of a well-written personal statement explaining how your family's financial structure actually works in practice. Sometimes putting a human face on the numbers helps case workers understand the real situation. Wishing you the best of luck getting this resolved!

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread to read through! As someone who's been on SSDI for about 6 months and just starting to think about returning to work, seeing everyone's real experiences and practical advice has been invaluable. @NebulaNomad - I wanted to specifically address your original question since I went through something similar recently. You're absolutely right to focus on monthly limits rather than annual totals. The key thing is that SSDI uses the monthly SGA threshold ($1,550 for 2025), not annual averaging like some other programs. One thing that really helped me was contacting my local SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) coordinator through my state's disability services office. They have specialists who help people navigate the work incentive programs and can often clarify your Trial Work Period status more easily than trying to get through to SSA directly. Also, since you mentioned working at your cousin's store, you might want to ask about getting your work arrangement documented as "supported employment" if your cousin provides any accommodations. This can sometimes help with the subsidy calculations that others mentioned. The advice about creating that safety buffer below the $1,550 limit is spot-on. I aim for $1,400 max per month to account for any unexpected bonuses or overtime. It's given me so much peace of mind knowing I have that cushion. Keep us updated on how your conversation with your cousin goes - and definitely don't stress too much about December if you can shift some of those hours to January like others suggested!

I've been following this thread with great interest as someone who's been on SSDI for about 4 years and has successfully navigated the work rules. The advice here is excellent, and I wanted to add a few points that might help. First, regarding your Trial Work Period status - you can also call the SSA Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program at 1-866-968-7842. They provide free counseling specifically for people on SSDI who want to work and can often give you clearer information about your TWP status than the general SSA line. Second, I'd strongly recommend keeping a simple monthly earnings tracker on your phone or computer where you log each paycheck as you receive it. I use a basic note that shows: Date received | Gross amount | Running monthly total. This way you always know exactly where you stand without having to calculate backwards from pay stubs. Finally, don't forget that if you do accidentally go over SGA in a month after your TWP, you won't lose benefits permanently - you just won't receive payment for that specific month. Benefits resume the following month if you're back under the limit. This isn't ideal, but it's not the complete disaster many people fear. Your proactive approach to understanding these rules before potentially running into issues shows great judgment. Most problems I've seen happen when people don't realize the implications until after they've exceeded limits for multiple months.

I'm glad to see others reporting this same issue! I received an unexpected second payment of $1,456 on February 16th (my regular payment comes on the 2nd Wednesday). Like others mentioned, it shows up as "SSA TREAS" in my bank account. I was really worried I'd done something wrong or that my account got hacked somehow. Reading through all these comments makes me feel much better that it's a known system error. I'm definitely going to report it tomorrow - better safe than sorry. Has anyone heard if SSA is planning to send out any official notifications about this error to affected beneficiaries?

I'm a new member here and just wanted to say thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences with this duplicate payment issue! I received an unexpected second payment of $1,289 on February 17th (my regular payment date is the 4th Wednesday) and I was completely panicked thinking there was some kind of fraud or mistake on my account. Reading through all these comments has been so reassuring - it's clearly a widespread system error affecting many beneficiaries. I'm definitely going to call SSA tomorrow to report it and get it documented in my account. It sounds like the key is reporting it quickly to avoid any potential penalties later, even though it was their mistake. Has anyone who reported it early heard back from SSA about when they expect to reverse these 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 went through this exact situation last year and it's definitely worth fighting for! My 2022 earnings were significantly higher than my previous years, but they weren't included in my initial benefit calculation when I started collecting in June 2023. The key thing I learned is that you need to be very specific about what you're requesting. Don't just say your benefit seems wrong - tell them exactly: "I need a manual recalculation because my 2023 earnings of $87,500 are correctly posted to my earnings record but were not included in my initial benefit computation." Also, ask them to show you your "computation years" - the 35 highest earning years they used to calculate your benefit. If 2023 isn't listed despite being your highest year, that's proof they need to fix it. When I finally got through to the right person (ask for the Technical Expert unit that handles computations), they were able to do the manual recalculation immediately. My benefit went up $156/month and I got backpay to my start date. With your $87,500 being your highest year, you're likely looking at a significant increase. Don't wait until March 2025 - this is their error and they can fix it now. Be persistent and use the specific terminology others have mentioned here. Good luck!

I'm currently in a similar situation - turning 62 in a few months and receiving CIC benefits for my disabled daughter. After reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I need to start the application process NOW. One thing I learned from my caseworker that might help others: if you're worried about the income drop from CIC to reduced spousal benefits, ask SSA about any state supplemental programs in your area. Some states have additional support for families caring for disabled children that can help bridge the gap. Also, definitely keep detailed records of all your communications with SSA - dates, names, reference numbers. I've had to reference these multiple times when there were processing delays or conflicting information between representatives. The system is frustrating but being organized and persistent helps. Good luck to everyone navigating these transitions!

I just wanted to add one more important consideration that might help with your decision-making process. Since you mentioned your son has special needs and you're concerned about the income reduction, you might want to look into whether you qualify for any caregiver tax credits or deductions that could help offset the lower benefit amount. The Child and Dependent Care Credit can sometimes apply to older children with disabilities, and there may be other tax advantages for families caring for special needs dependents. Also, when you do speak with SSA, ask specifically about the "protective filing date" - this establishes your intent to file even if you haven't completed all the paperwork yet, which can be crucial for ensuring you don't lose any back payments if there are processing delays. I learned this the hard way when helping my elderly mother with her benefits. The system has so many nuances that aren't obvious, but knowing about them can save you money and stress in the long run.