I'm so sorry for your loss, Tristan. Losing a parent is heartbreaking, and dealing with all these administrative details during your grief makes an already difficult situation even more overwhelming. From what I understand about Social Security benefits, that October payment should definitely remain with your father's estate. Since Social Security pays benefits in arrears (the payment is for the previous month), that October deposit was actually for September. Because your father was alive for the entire month of September, that money rightfully belongs to his estate and SSA shouldn't try to reclaim it. The bank hold you're seeing is almost certainly their standard procedure when they receive notification of an account holder's death. Banks typically freeze accounts immediately until proper documentation is provided to prevent unauthorized access. You'll need to bring the death certificate and your executor paperwork to get the hold released. I'd strongly recommend calling Social Security directly to report your father's passing yourself, even if the funeral home said they would handle it. Sometimes there can be communication delays, and you want to make absolutely sure it's properly recorded in their system to prevent any future payments from being issued. Just be aware that if a November payment does arrive (which would be for October), that one would need to be returned since he didn't live through the entire month. When you contact SSA, also ask about the one-time $255 death benefit - surviving spouses or dependent children may be eligible. You're handling this incredibly difficult situation with such strength by asking the right questions. Take it one step at a time, and this community is here if you need more support along the way.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Tristan. Losing a parent is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate all these financial and administrative details while grieving just adds so much extra stress to an already overwhelming time. From what I understand about Social Security, that October payment should absolutely stay with your father's estate. Since Social Security pays benefits in arrears (meaning the payment is for the previous month), that October deposit was actually for September's benefits. Because your father was alive for the entire month of September, that money rightfully belongs to his estate and SSA should not try to reclaim it. The bank hold you're experiencing is almost certainly their standard procedure when they receive notification of an account holder's death, not SSA trying to take back funds. Banks typically freeze accounts immediately to prevent unauthorized access until proper documentation like the death certificate and executor paperwork is provided. I'd definitely recommend calling Social Security directly to report your father's passing yourself, even though the funeral home said they would handle it. You want to make sure it's properly recorded in their system to prevent any future payments from being issued. Just keep in mind that if a November payment does arrive (which would be for October), that one would need to be returned since he didn't live through the full month. When you contact SSA, also ask about the one-time $255 death benefit - surviving spouses or dependent children may be eligible for this. You're asking all the right questions during such a challenging time. Take care of yourself as you work through this process, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need more guidance.

Tell them to set up a my social security account online NOW too if they haven't!!! Makes everything easier later!!!

As someone who worked in social services for years, I want to emphasize one crucial point that hasn't been mentioned - make sure they have a certified English translation of their Thai marriage certificate if they don't already. SSA will require this for the survivor benefit application. Also, since she's been his full-time caregiver, document this relationship thoroughly with medical records, insurance forms, etc. This helps establish the legitimacy of their marriage. One more thing - if your uncle has any adult children from previous relationships, they should be aware that survivor benefits don't reduce what a surviving spouse receives, so there shouldn't be any family conflicts over benefits.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by the depth of knowledge and support shown in this thread. The systematic misinformation about earnings limits for child-in-care benefits is truly alarming - it's clear this isn't just isolated incidents but a widespread training issue within SSA. What I find most valuable is how this discussion has evolved from one person's specific question into a comprehensive resource that addresses both SSDI and retirement scenarios. The fact that @6178c5c5de5a was told to withdraw their application based on completely incorrect information, and @3c26881dece6's proactive approach to understanding these rules, really highlights the importance of community knowledge-sharing. The practical resources shared here - POMS sections, SSA publications, escalation strategies, and the tip about asking representatives to cite specific regulations - create a toolkit that seems more reliable than what many families get from their local SSA offices. That's both empowering and deeply concerning about the state of the system. Thank you to all the experienced members who've shared their hard-won expertise. As someone who may need to navigate this system in the future, I'm bookmarking this entire thread. Communities like this are essential for helping families get benefits they're legally entitled to receive when the official channels fail them.

As someone new to this community and currently researching disability benefits for my own situation, this thread has been incredibly educational. The systematic misinformation about earnings limits for child-in-care benefits is truly shocking - seeing examples from both SSDI and retirement cases with the exact same incorrect information suggests this is a training failure at the agency level. What I find most valuable is how experienced community members have provided specific regulatory references (POMS sections, SSA publications) and practical strategies for dealing with misinformed local offices. The advice about bringing printed documentation, requesting written decisions, and asking agents to cite specific regulations creates a roadmap for self-advocacy that seems essential given how unreliable the official information has proven to be. The fact that families are losing thousands of dollars in benefits they're legally entitled to because of widespread misinformation is unacceptable. Thank you to everyone who's shared their expertise and resources - you're providing more reliable guidance than many people get from their local SSA offices. This thread should be required reading for anyone dealing with complex family benefit situations. I'm bookmarking all the specific resources mentioned here and will definitely come prepared with documentation when it's time to apply. It's unfortunate that we have to become experts in SSA policy just to get accurate information, but communities like this make it possible.

This is such great news! I'm so glad you found a benefits counselor who could walk through the numbers with you. The 20 hours/week plan sounds very reasonable and gives your son a real chance to build work experience without jeopardizing his benefits. One thing I'd add - make sure to keep detailed records of his actual hours and wages each month, not just what's planned. Sometimes retail schedules can fluctuate, and you want to make sure you're tracking if he accidentally goes over in any given month. Also, don't forget to report his work activity to SSA proactively, even though he's staying under the limits. It's better to over-communicate than have them think you're hiding something later. Good luck to your son with his new job opportunity!

As a newcomer to this community, I've been following this thread with great interest since I'm facing a similar situation with my own adult daughter who has disabilities. The information everyone has shared here is incredibly valuable. I wanted to add one thing that might be helpful - when you do connect with SSA (hopefully through that Claimyr service), ask them about getting a written confirmation of your son's work plan. Some offices will provide a letter stating that working X hours at Y wage should not affect benefits, which can be helpful documentation if any issues arise later. Also, I noticed several people mentioned the importance of keeping detailed records. Consider setting up a simple spreadsheet to track his monthly earnings, hours worked, and any communications with SSA. This has been a lifesaver for families I know who've had to dispute overpayments or other issues. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - both the success stories and the warnings. It's clear this system requires careful navigation, but it's encouraging to see that with the right preparation and professional guidance, it is possible for our kids to work while maintaining their benefits.

As someone new to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information! I'm in a similar situation with my adult daughter who has autism and receives DAC benefits. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational. I especially appreciate the specific numbers and timelines that were provided - the Trial Work Period, Extended Period of Eligibility, and the 93-month Medicare continuation. It's reassuring to know there are actual safety nets in place, even though the system seems so complicated. The suggestion about getting everything in writing from SSA is something I never would have thought of, but it makes perfect sense given how inconsistent their representatives can be. And I had no idea about WIPA counselors or the Protection and Advocacy organizations - I'll definitely be looking into those resources. One question I have is about the reporting requirements. How quickly do we need to report work activity to SSA? Is there a specific timeframe, or is it just "as soon as possible"? I want to make sure we don't accidentally create problems by not reporting quickly enough. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge. It's communities like this that make navigating these complex systems a little less overwhelming!

I'm new here but wanted to share some additional perspective as someone who works in disability advocacy. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the importance of documenting your son's current functional limitations and how they relate to his disability. If he does attempt work and it doesn't go well, SSA will need to verify that his disability still meets their criteria for benefits reinstatement. I'd recommend having his doctor document his current limitations and how they might impact sustained work activity. This creates a paper trail that can be crucial if you need to prove his disability persists during any reinstatement process. Also, while everyone's mentioned the great safety nets, it's worth noting that even during the Trial Work Period, SSA can still review whether someone's medical condition has improved. It's rare, but they could theoretically find him "no longer disabled" even if he's earning under SGA. Having current medical documentation helps protect against this possibility. The work incentives and protections everyone described are real and helpful, but going in with thorough documentation makes the whole process much smoother. Your instinct to research this thoroughly before he starts working is exactly the right approach!