Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to go ahead and apply now so everything's in place for my May payment. Really appreciate all the detailed explanations about the payment schedule too. I'll check out Claimyr if I run into any issues getting through on the phone.

One thing I'd add is to make sure you have all your documents ready when you apply - W-2s, tax returns, birth certificate, etc. The SSA will ask for verification of your earnings history and age. Also, if you're married, they'll need your spouse's Social Security number even if they're not applying for benefits yet. Having everything organized upfront can help avoid delays in processing your application. Good luck with your retirement!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and your story gives me hope! SSA claimed I had a $5,800 overpayment from workers' comp offset about 10 months ago. Like you, I immediately appealed and am still waiting for my ALJ hearing. What really resonates with me is your point about the partial refund essentially proving their original calculation was wrong. If they calculated everything correctly the first time, why would they suddenly owe you $3,400 back? That logic seems pretty straightforward to me. I've been following the advice in this thread about requesting detailed calculations and filing a congressional inquiry. The congressional route especially seems promising since so many people here have had success getting actual answers that way. The waiting is absolutely brutal - having thousands of dollars in alleged "debt" hanging over your head when you know something's not right with their math. But reading all these success stories where people got their overpayments completely dismissed at ALJ hearings keeps me motivated to keep fighting. Don't let them wear you down with their bureaucratic runaround. That $3,400 refund is solid evidence in your favor, and the fact that your workers' comp was relatively low compared to your prior earnings suggests their ACE calculation was likely wrong from the start. Keep pushing forward with your appeal!

This thread has been incredibly enlightening! I'm dealing with a similar workers' comp offset overpayment issue ($4,800 claimed debt from SSA) and had no idea about so many of these resources and strategies. The congressional inquiry approach mentioned by several people here sounds like a game-changer. I've been trying to get basic information from SSA for months with no success - their phone system is essentially useless and my local office just tells me to call the 800 number. Having a congressman's office intervene to get actual answers about their calculations makes perfect sense. I'm also going to request that "computation of benefits" printout that was mentioned. I had no idea this existed, but being able to see their actual math before an ALJ hearing seems crucial for building a strong defense. What really stands out to me is how many people here have had success getting these overpayments completely dismissed at ALJ hearings. The pattern seems consistent - SSA makes calculation errors, people fight back with proper documentation, and the ALJ sides with the appellant because SSA can't adequately justify their math. For anyone else reading this who's in a similar situation: don't give up! The advice in this thread provides a clear roadmap for fighting these questionable overpayment claims. Document everything, use every resource available, and remember that the burden is on SSA to prove their calculations are correct.

I'm also navigating SSI issues as a newcomer here and this thread has been incredibly informative. What strikes me is how many families are dealing with this exact same problem - it seems like there's a real gap in how SSA handles custody changes and ensures benefits follow the child's actual living situation. For anyone starting this process, I'd suggest creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything: dates your child is with you, expenses you cover, medical appointments, therapy sessions, school activities, etc. Having this organized from day one will make the SSA application much smoother. Also, if your custody agreement specifies overnight percentages like 70/30, make sure you have certified copies - SSA will want official documentation. One question for those who have been through this: did any of you face retaliation from the other parent during the process? I'm worried about potential complications with visitation or other custody issues while pursuing the payee change.

I'm new to this community but have been following this discussion closely as I'm in a very similar situation. My 13-year-old son with intellectual disabilities receives SSI, but his mother is the representative payee even though he lives with me about 65% of the time following our recent custody modification. Reading through all these responses has given me so much valuable information - especially about Form SSA-11 and the fact that SSA typically prefers to assign payee status to whoever has majority physical custody. I had no idea about the annual Representative Payee Report requirement either, or that SSA can investigate how current benefits are being used. What really resonates with me is how many families are dealing with this exact issue. It seems like there's a systemic problem where SSA doesn't automatically review payee arrangements when custody situations change. I'm definitely going to start documenting everything like everyone has suggested - expenses, overnight stays, medical appointments, therapy sessions - and look into that Claimyr service to actually get through to SSA. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice. It's encouraging to know that others have successfully navigated this process and gotten the benefits properly allocated to follow their child's actual living situation. The money should be supporting our kids wherever they spend their time, not just benefiting one parent's household.

I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation frequently. You're absolutely eligible for the spousal benefit increase! Since you're 72 (past your FRA) and your husband is receiving retirement benefits, you can apply for spousal benefits immediately. You'll receive your current $1,250 plus approximately $175 monthly to reach the spousal benefit amount. A few important tips: - Don't delay applying - you can only get up to 6 months of retroactive payments - When you call SSA, ask specifically for "excess spousal benefits" - Consider visiting your local SSA office if phone wait times are too long - Have your husband's Social Security number ready when you apply The application process is straightforward once you reach someone. You're looking at an extra $2,100+ annually, so it's definitely worth pursuing. Good luck getting through to them!

I went through something very similar about 18 months ago! I had been collecting my reduced retirement benefit since age 62, and when my husband finally filed for his benefits at his FRA, I had no idea I could get additional spousal benefits. Like you, I couldn't get through on the phone - it was incredibly frustrating. What finally worked for me was going to my local SSA office first thing in the morning without an appointment. I got there about 30 minutes before they opened and was one of the first people seen. The whole process took about 45 minutes once I sat down with a representative. They were able to calculate my excess spousal benefit on the spot and process the application immediately. In my case, I started receiving the additional amount the following month, plus they gave me 4 months of retroactive payments (I wish I had known sooner!). The extra monthly amount has been a real help with rising costs. One thing the representative emphasized was that I needed to specifically ask for the spousal benefit application - they don't automatically check if you're eligible for higher benefits. Definitely don't wait any longer since you're already missing out on money you're entitled to!

I went through this exact same situation about two years ago when I reached my FRA in the middle of the month. Everyone here is absolutely correct - Social Security benefits are paid monthly, not daily, so you'll get your full September benefit regardless of your birthday being on the 16th. When you apply online, you'll simply select September 2025 as your benefit start month. There's no option to pick specific days within the month. One additional piece of advice: make sure you understand the payment schedule. Your September benefit will actually be paid in October (Social Security pays benefits the month after they're earned). Since your birthday is on the 16th, your payments will arrive on the third Wednesday of each month going forward. Also, don't stress too much about the application process itself. The online system is pretty user-friendly and will guide you through everything step by step. Just make sure you have all your documents ready beforehand - tax returns, W-2s, bank information for direct deposit, etc. The whole thing took me about an hour to complete. Congratulations on making it to your FRA and maximizing your benefits - that patience will really pay off in the long run!

This has been such a helpful thread! As someone who's about a year away from my own FRA, I've learned so much from reading everyone's experiences. It's really reassuring to see the consistent advice that Social Security operates on a monthly basis - I was having similar concerns about my mid-month birthday affecting my benefits. The tips about applying 3-4 months early, setting up the my Social Security account ahead of time, and having all documents ready are definitely going on my to-do list. Thanks to Sofia for asking this great question and to everyone who shared their real-world experiences. It's so much more valuable than trying to decipher the official SSA website! I'm bookmarking this thread for when I get closer to my application date.