Hi there! I'm new to this community and wanted to share some encouragement since I've been in a very similar situation. I lost my part-time job about 6 months ago due to chronic pain flare-ups making it impossible to maintain my work schedule, and I also forgot to report it to SSA right away. Like you, I was absolutely terrified about calling - I kept imagining worst-case scenarios where they'd accuse me of fraud or cut off my benefits entirely. But when I finally called (took me almost 2 months to work up the courage!), the SSA representative was actually really kind and professional about it. A few things that helped me prepare for the call: - I wrote down exactly when my last day of work was and why I stopped working - Had my final pay stub ready (though they didn't end up needing it) - Practiced explaining my situation beforehand so I wouldn't get too flustered The representative explained that they see delayed reporting fairly often, especially from people dealing with health or transportation challenges. She said the important thing is that I was being honest now and not trying to hide anything. My SSI payment increased by about $165/month going forward, and they gave me back payments for the months I should have been getting the higher amount. It was such a relief both financially and emotionally. You absolutely should call them - you're missing out on money you're entitled to, and from everything I've read here and experienced myself, they're generally understanding about these situations when there's no intent to defraud. You've got this!

Hey everyone! I'm new to this community but wanted to jump in because I literally just went through this exact same thing last week. I lost my job back in October due to similar transportation issues (my car died and I couldn't afford repairs) and I completely spaced on reporting it to SSA. I was making about $380/month at my part-time job. I finally called last Wednesday after reading through forums like this one, and I'm so glad I did! The representative was actually really patient with me. I explained that I didn't realize I needed to report stopping work (I thought I only had to report when I STARTED working), and she said that's a super common misunderstanding, especially for people newer to SSI. Here's what happened: My monthly SSI payment is going up by $190 starting next month, and they're sending me back payments totaling about $950 for the months I should have been getting the higher amount. She said because I was honest about when I stopped working and why I didn't report it, they waived any penalties. My advice: Don't wait any longer! You're literally losing money every month by not calling. Have your last pay stub ready if you still have it, and just be completely honest about your situation. The transportation issue is totally legitimate and they understand that. Good luck - you've got this! 🙂

I'm so glad your cousin got this resolved! This entire thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm bookmarking it for future reference. What really stands out to me is how the first SSA representative completely misinformed her by saying it was "normal to skip a month." That's exactly the kind of misinformation that can cause real financial hardship for people who are already vulnerable. It's a good reminder that if something doesn't sound right, it's worth pushing back and asking for clarification or speaking to someone else. The combination of factors here (payment date change + processing flag) shows how complex these transitions can be behind the scenes, even though they're supposed to be seamless for the beneficiary. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone - knowing how these situations actually get resolved is so valuable for the community!

This thread is such a perfect example of why community support matters! I've been dealing with SSA for my elderly parents and the inconsistent information from representatives is honestly one of the most frustrating parts. The fact that the first rep told your cousin it was "normal to skip a month" during conversion is exactly the kind of misinformation that causes unnecessary stress and financial hardship. I'm so glad she kept pushing and found someone who actually understood the system. For anyone else reading this who might face similar issues - the key takeaways seem to be: 1) Payment dates DO change from 3rd of month to birth-date-based schedule, 2) There should NEVER be an actual gap in payments, 3) Processing errors can happen but are fixable, and 4) Don't accept vague answers - keep asking for specifics and supervisors if needed. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here, especially those with professional experience who explained the technical details!

This is such a valuable thread for anyone navigating Social Security decisions! As someone who's still years away from retirement but trying to understand these rules early, I had no idea about the 6-month retroactive benefit option for people past FRA. Dylan, your methodical approach really stands out - getting input from the community, consulting with a tax professional, and actually running the numbers rather than just going with gut instinct. The fact that you'd lose 32% to taxes completely changes the equation from what initially seemed like an obvious choice. One question for the group: Are there any other "hidden" Social Security rules or options like this retroactive benefit that people should know about but might not discover unless they specifically ask or get lucky with a knowledgeable claims processor? It seems like there might be other beneficial provisions that aren't well-publicized. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise here - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that's so hard to find elsewhere!

This thread has been incredibly enlightening! As someone who's still learning about Social Security benefits, I'm amazed by how many nuances there are that you don't hear about in general retirement planning discussions. Dylan, your decision-making process was really impressive - getting community input, consulting a tax professional, and actually crunching the numbers. The 32% tax impact completely flips what seemed like an obvious choice at first glance. I'm curious about something that came up earlier: Miguel mentioned that taking the lump sum could potentially trigger higher Medicare premiums (IRMAA) two years later. For those who might be in similar situations, is there a way to estimate what income thresholds would trigger this, or is it something you only find out about after the fact? It seems like another factor that could significantly impact the math beyond just the immediate tax implications. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical, real-world guidance that makes these government benefit programs less intimidating to navigate!

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread to read through! I'm also on SSDI and have been considering part-time work but felt overwhelmed by all the reporting requirements. Seeing everyone's real experiences with both the myWageReport app and phone reporting has given me so much clarity. I especially appreciate the detailed explanations about Trial Work Period vs. SGA thresholds - I had no idea they were different amounts! And all the practical tips about keeping records, saving confirmation numbers, and making sure employer info matches exactly are the kind of details you don't always find in the official SSA materials. Dylan, it's wonderful that you found work that's helping your mental health while being accommodating of your condition. That balance can be so hard to achieve. For anyone else reading this who might be hesitant about returning to work - this discussion really shows that with proper reporting and good record-keeping, it's very manageable. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise here. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating disability benefits so much less intimidating!

As someone who's been navigating SSDI and part-time work for the past year, I wanted to add a few thoughts to this excellent discussion. First, Dylan, congratulations on finding accommodating work that's helping your mental health - that's such an important part of the journey! I've used both the myWageReport app and phone reporting, and honestly the app is so much more convenient. One thing I learned that might be helpful: if you're ever unsure whether a particular month's earnings need to be reported, err on the side of caution and report it. SSA would much rather have too much information than too little. Also, since you mentioned chronic health conditions - don't forget that your work attempt itself can actually be viewed positively if you ever need to apply for other benefits or if your condition changes. SSA recognizes that many people with disabilities want to work when they're able to, and making good faith efforts (like proper reporting) demonstrates that. The bookstore sounds like a great fit for someone managing health issues - flexible scheduling and the ability to sit when needed are huge accommodations that not all employers offer. I hope it continues to be beneficial for both your health and your sense of purpose!

This is such a heartwarming story about your dedication to your family! As someone who works in disability advocacy, I see these complex situations regularly. Your approach of seeking multiple expert opinions is absolutely the right one. A few additional resources that might help while you're working through the SSA process: The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) has a directory of attorneys who specialize in exactly these types of complex family benefit scenarios. Even if you don't need full legal representation, many offer consultations that can help you understand your rights and what questions to ask SSA. Also, many state disability councils have benefits specialists who can review your situation and help you prepare for conversations with SSA. They're often more accessible than trying to get through SSA's phone system. One practical tip: when you do get your written analysis from SSA, ask them to show you the specific family maximum calculation they're using. The formula involves multiple bend points and can vary significantly based on when you became entitled to benefits. Having those exact numbers will help you verify their math if needed. Your granddaughter is so fortunate to have grandparents who are willing to navigate this maze to provide her with a stable home. Keep us posted on how it goes - your experience could really help other families in similar situations!

I'm new here but wanted to share my experience since it might help with your situation. My family went through something similar when we adopted my nephew while my disabled adult daughter was receiving DAC benefits on my record. The key thing I learned is that the family maximum calculation can be really tricky when you're already close to the limit. In our case, adding another child beneficiary did reduce my daughter's DAC benefit slightly because we hit the family maximum, but it wasn't a huge reduction - maybe about 8% of her monthly amount. What really helped us was getting everything in writing BEFORE finalizing the adoption. The Technical Expert we spoke with was able to run the numbers and show us exactly what the new benefit amounts would be for everyone. This let us plan financially and know what to expect. One thing to keep in mind - if your granddaughter has a living parent who worked and earned Social Security credits, she might be eligible for higher benefits on that parent's record instead of yours. SSA will automatically pay whichever is higher, so that could actually work in your favor for the family maximum calculation. The whole process took about 3 months to get sorted out with SSA, but having those concrete numbers ahead of time was worth the wait. Your family's situation sounds more complex than ours was, so definitely push for that written analysis everyone's mentioned. Good luck with the adoption!