As someone new to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational for those of us trying to navigate the GPO changes. I'd like to add one more resource that might be helpful - many local Area Agencies on Aging have benefits counselors who specialize in Social Security issues and can provide free assistance with understanding these changes. They're often more accessible than trying to get through to SSA directly and can help you prepare for your call with all the right questions and documents. Also, for anyone feeling overwhelmed by all this information, consider printing out or writing down the key points from this discussion thread. Having a reference sheet when you call SSA can help ensure you don't forget to ask about important details like Form SSA-2032, expedited processing for seniors, hardship provisions, or getting that written benefit estimate. The GPO repeal is a huge victory for public servants and their families - don't let the bureaucratic process discourage you from claiming what you've rightfully earned!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to share something that might be helpful for others in similar situations. I just went through a comparable experience with my late father's benefits, and one thing that really helped was requesting what SSA calls a "benefit verification letter" during my initial call. This document shows your complete benefit history and current status, which can be incredibly useful when dealing with GPO-related suspensions. Also, I learned that if you're having trouble getting through to SSA by phone, many local Social Security offices are accepting walk-in appointments again for urgent matters. Given your age and the length of time your benefits have been suspended, this might qualify as an urgent case. Sometimes face-to-face meetings can be more productive than phone calls, especially when dealing with complex situations like GPO reversals. One last tip - if you have any correspondence from SSA from when your benefits were originally suspended, bring copies of those letters when you contact them. It can help speed up the process since they'll have the original case details right in front of them. Best of luck with getting this resolved - it sounds like the GPO repeal could make a real difference in your financial situation!

I'm in a very similar situation right now! My daughter graduated last year and I just filed for my own benefits a few months ago. SSA called me last week about the exact same thing - Form 1372 and potential additional benefits on my record. I was so confused because like you, she already got benefits on my ex-husband's record until graduation. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea about this differential payment system! It sounds like this is actually pretty common when one parent files later than the other. I'm definitely going to call her high school tomorrow too - seems like they're used to handling these forms for graduated students. Thanks for posting about this! Without seeing your question and everyone's helpful responses, I probably would have just ignored SSA's call thinking it was some kind of mistake. Now I realize I could be leaving money on the table for my daughter. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here!

This is exactly why I love this community! Seeing how everyone has jumped in to help explain what could have been a really confusing situation is amazing. As someone who's dealt with Social Security for years (my mom went through disability benefits), I can confirm that these differential payment situations are totally legitimate but often catch people off guard. The key thing that stands out to me is that SSA initiated contact with you - that's actually a really good sign that this is a straightforward entitlement issue, not some kind of mistake or scam. When their system flags these potential benefit adjustments, they're usually pretty accurate. One small tip for when you go to the school: bring a copy of your daughter's Social Security number along with the student ID number, just in case they need it for their records. Some schools ask for both when completing these forms. Also, if the main office seems unfamiliar with Form 1372, ask specifically for someone in student services or records - they're usually the ones who handle these post-graduation benefit verification requests most frequently. Really hoping this works out well for you and your daughter gets the additional benefits she's entitled to! Please do update us when you hear back from SSA.

That's fantastic news! So glad the Claimyr service worked for you and you finally got connected to someone who understood CIC benefits. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes when you reach the right person who actually knows the rules. Your list of documents looks perfect - sounds like the Technical Expert really knew what she was talking about. The fact that she scheduled you for an in-person appointment is also a great sign since those tend to go much smoother for complex cases like yours. Thanks for sharing the update! This whole thread will be really helpful for other parents dealing with similar situations. Looking forward to hearing how your appointment goes next week. Fingers crossed everything gets processed smoothly from here!

Congratulations on finally getting through to someone knowledgeable! This is exactly why I always tell people dealing with complex SSA issues to keep pushing until they reach a specialist. Regular claims reps just aren't trained on the nuances of benefits like CIC for disabled adult children. Your persistence really paid off, and I'm sure this thread will help so many other parents in similar situations. The step-by-step documentation you've shared here is invaluable - from asking for Technical Experts to citing the specific Social Security Act section numbers. One small tip for your in-person appointment: bring copies of everything rather than originals when possible, since SSA sometimes needs to keep documents for their files. Also, don't be surprised if the process takes a few weeks to complete even after your appointment - CIC benefits can involve multiple reviews. Really hoping everything goes smoothly for you next week! Please do update us on how it turns out.

I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My husband passed away 6 months ago, and I'm currently 61. I was planning to wait until my FRA at 67 to claim survivor benefits to get the full 100%, but I'm wondering if there's any advantage to claiming reduced survivor benefits now and then potentially switching later if I remarry and that spouse passes away. Does anyone know if the "switch at FRA" rule still applies if you're switching FROM survivor benefits TO different survivor benefits, rather than from your own retirement benefits to survivor benefits? The scenarios discussed here mostly seem to cover people who started with reduced survivor benefits early, but I'm curious about the strategy of waiting for full benefits versus claiming early and keeping options open. Also, has anyone had experience with getting written confirmation from SSA about these switching rules? Given all the conflicting information people seem to get over the phone, I'm thinking it might be worth getting something in writing before making any decisions.

I want to add some clarification about the timing aspects that might help others in similar situations. The switching rule for survivor benefits is indeed very favorable - you can take reduced survivor benefits from one deceased spouse early and then switch to full survivor benefits from another deceased spouse at your FRA. But there's an important timing consideration many people miss. When you switch at FRA, the new survivor benefit starts the month you reach FRA (or the month you apply, if later). So if you're planning to switch, make sure to apply for the new benefit in the month you turn your FRA age, not months later. SSA won't make it retroactive beyond the month you reach FRA. Also, for anyone dealing with this situation, I'd suggest keeping detailed records of your conversations with SSA representatives - dates, names, what was discussed. Given how many people report getting conflicting information, having a paper trail can be really helpful if you need to escalate or correct misinformation later. The survivor benefit switching rules are actually quite generous compared to other Social Security provisions, but the complexity means even SSA staff sometimes get it wrong. Don't give up if the first person you talk to seems uncertain - these are specialized situations that not every representative handles regularly.

I'm so sorry for your loss. As someone who works with Social Security disability and survivor claims, I want to emphasize what others have said - the child support amount you're receiving should NOT automatically disqualify your stepdaughter from survivor benefits. The key test is whether your late husband provided more than 50% of your daughter's total living support. From what you've described - him being the primary breadwinner covering housing, utilities, food, and other household expenses while the $1,720 child support mainly covers her personal needs - it sounds like he was likely providing well over half her support. A few important reminders: - Apply immediately and request a protective filing date to preserve your claim - Gather comprehensive documentation: bank statements, tax returns, household bills, proof of living arrangements - Don't forget about the one-time $255 death benefit - Benefits can be retroactive, but only for a limited period Even if the child support reduces your benefit amount somewhat due to family maximum limits, you're still likely to receive meaningful financial assistance. I've seen many families in similar situations successfully obtain survivor benefits despite receiving child support. The worst outcome is they deny the claim, but based on your circumstances, that seems unlikely. Your family needs and deserves this support during such a difficult time. Don't let uncertainty prevent you from applying for benefits you're entitled to receive.

I'm so sorry for your loss and what you're going through right now. I lost my spouse two years ago and went through the survivor benefits process, so I understand how overwhelming this feels when you're already dealing with grief. The good news is that the $1,720 child support shouldn't disqualify your stepdaughter from survivor benefits. SSA looks at the total support picture, not just income amounts. Since your husband was covering your major household expenses (housing, utilities, food, insurance) while the child support mainly went to your daughter's personal needs, he was likely providing well over 50% of her total support. A few things that helped me during my application: - I called early in the morning (around 8 AM) to get through to SSA faster - I organized all our financial documents beforehand - bank statements, tax returns, household bills - I made a list of exactly what my husband paid for versus what other income sources covered Don't wait to apply thinking you might not qualify. Even if benefits are reduced due to family maximums, you'll likely still receive substantial help. The application process took about 6-8 weeks for me, but they backdated the benefits to the month after my spouse died. You're being incredibly strong advocating for your family during this difficult time. Your stepdaughter is lucky to have you fighting for her future security.