Can't reach Social Security Administration? Claimyr connects you to a live SSA agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the SSA
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the SSA drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
Perfect, thanks again! I feel much better understanding how this works now. I appreciate everyone taking time to explain.
One thing that might help your ex-wife plan ahead is knowing that she can get an estimate of her potential benefits through her my Social Security account on ssa.gov. The system will show her both her own retirement benefit estimate and what she could potentially receive as a divorced spouse benefit based on your record (once you're eligible). This can help her make an informed decision about when to claim. Also, if she does remarry in the future, she would lose the ability to claim on your record, but she could then potentially claim on her new spouse's record instead if that marriage lasts at least 10 years.
That's really helpful information about the online account! I didn't know she could see estimates for both types of benefits. Quick question though - you mentioned she'd lose the divorced spouse benefit if she remarries, but could claim on a new spouse's record after 10 years. What happens during those first 10 years of a new marriage if her own benefit is still low? Would she just be stuck with only her own smaller benefit during that time?
Join the conversation
As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely stunned by this discussion! I'm 69 and have been working part-time consulting while putting off my Social Security application because I thought I was being financially responsible by not "taking" benefits while still earning income. Reading through everyone's experiences here - especially hearing from the retired SSA employee who confirmed the 70 cutoff rule - has been a complete game-changer for my understanding. I had no idea that delayed retirement credits stop at 70 or about the 6-month retroactive limit. Like so many others here, I genuinely believed the benefits would keep growing as long as I waited, similar to how they increase from full retirement age to 70. This thread has potentially saved me from a very expensive mistake! It's remarkable how many newcomers to this community are all discovering the same critical information. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences and expertise!
Welcome to the community, Liv! I'm also brand new here and this entire thread has been absolutely mind-blowing for me. I'm 67 and was in the exact same mindset - thinking I was being responsible by waiting to apply since I'm still working and don't immediately need the money. It's incredible how many of us newcomers have all been operating under this same costly misconception! The fact that we have someone who actually worked at SSA confirming all these details really validates what everyone is saying. I keep thinking about how this critical information isn't more prominently featured in SSA communications - it seems like such an important detail that could save people thousands of dollars. This community is already proving to be an invaluable resource for getting the practical insights that somehow get lost in all the official documentation. Thank you for sharing your story - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who was completely unaware of these rules!
As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful for this discussion! I'm 68 and was planning to wait until I fully retire at 71 to apply for Social Security, thinking it would be smarter to let the benefits keep growing. Reading through everyone's experiences here - especially the confirmation from the retired SSA employee about the age 70 cutoff - has been a complete revelation. I had no idea that delayed retirement credits stop at 70 or that there's only a 6-month retroactive window. Like so many others who've commented, I genuinely thought you applied when you were "ready" to stop working, not based on these critical age milestones. It's alarming how many people seem to fall into this same expensive trap! This community is already proving invaluable for getting real-world insights that aren't clearly communicated in official sources. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and potentially saving me from a very costly mistake - I'll be applying right away!
Welcome to the community, Zoe! I'm also new here and this entire discussion has been absolutely life-changing for my understanding of Social Security. I'm 70 and, embarrassingly, just like the original poster, I've been delaying my application thinking I was being smart by waiting until I "really" needed the money. Reading through all these stories - especially from people who lost thousands by making the same mistake, and having it all confirmed by someone who actually worked at SSA - has been such a wake-up call. It's incredible how many of us newcomers have all been operating under the exact same misconception! I keep wondering how this crucial information isn't plastered all over SSA's website and mailings. The consistency of everyone's experiences really drives home that this isn't just a few isolated cases - it's a widespread misunderstanding that's costing people serious money. I'm so thankful for communities like this where real people share practical knowledge that can literally save thousands of dollars. I'll definitely be applying immediately now that I understand the true rules!
Join the conversation
As a newcomer to this community, I'm finding this thread incredibly valuable! I'm 64 and currently receiving SSDI after a back injury two years ago. My situation is a bit different - I'm unmarried and don't have survivor benefits to consider, but I'm also working part-time (carefully staying under the SGA limit after reading these comments!). What I'm wondering is: since my disability will automatically convert to retirement benefits at my FRA (67), should I be doing anything now to prepare for that transition? Will the amount stay exactly the same, or could there be changes? Also, for those who mentioned the Trial Work Period - does SSA track those months automatically, or do I need to keep my own records? I've been reporting my earnings through their app, but I want to make sure I'm not accidentally using up TWP months without realizing it. The advice about requesting a Technical Expert appointment is gold - I've been getting the runaround from regular representatives too. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and expertise!
Welcome to the community! Your situation sounds very manageable since you don't have the added complexity of survivor benefits to navigate. Regarding your disability-to-retirement conversion at 67, the amount should stay exactly the same - it's really just a label change from "disability" to "retirement" benefits. As for Trial Work Period months, SSA does track these automatically based on your reported earnings, but I'd strongly recommend keeping your own records as a backup. A TWP month is triggered when you earn over a certain threshold (around $1,050 for 2025, much lower than the SGA limit). Since you're being careful to stay under SGA, you're in good shape, but definitely ask about your TWP status when you meet with that Technical Expert. One thing to consider: if you're currently 64 and will reach FRA at 67, you have time to plan. You might want to explore whether your retirement benefit would be higher if you waited until age 70 - those delayed retirement credits can add up significantly. The Technical Expert can run those projections for you. Great job staying informed and asking the right questions!
As someone who's also new to navigating Social Security complexities, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly informative discussion! I'm in a somewhat similar situation - 63 years old, receiving SSDI for the past two years due to chronic health issues, and also receiving reduced survivor benefits from my late spouse. Reading through all these responses has been eye-opening, especially learning about the importance of requesting a Technical Expert rather than just any representative. I had no idea that SSA won't automatically give you the highest benefit - that's crucial information! I'm particularly concerned about the work income limits after seeing the discussion about SGA. I've been doing some freelance work to supplement my benefits, and now I'm worried I might be close to that $1,550 threshold. The advice about Trial Work Period months is something I definitely need to look into. One question for the community: has anyone had success getting clear information about their TWP status during a phone call, or is this something that really requires an in-person appointment? Also, for those who've worked with Technical Experts, how far in advance do you typically need to schedule those appointments? My local office has been just as backed up as the original poster mentioned. Thanks again to everyone sharing their experiences - this community is a lifesaver for those of us trying to make sense of this complex system!
Welcome to the community, Lucy! Your situation sounds very similar to what several of us are navigating. Regarding your TWP status question, I've found that phone representatives can usually tell you how many TWP months you've used, but getting detailed explanations about how it affects your benefits timeline is definitely better done in person with a Technical Expert. For appointment scheduling, I've had better luck calling first thing in the morning (8 AM when they open) or trying multiple offices in your region as @6d31d8f0f4bb suggested. Some offices have cancellation lists you can get on for earlier appointments. Your concern about freelance work is valid - definitely track those earnings carefully! The TWP threshold for 2025 is much lower than the SGA limit (around $1,050 vs $1,550), so you might be using TWP months even if you're under SGA. I'd recommend creating a simple monthly log of your freelance income to bring to your Technical Expert appointment. Also, since you have both SSDI and survivor benefits like the original poster, make sure to ask about the comparative analysis between your own retirement benefits at 70 versus maximizing survivor benefits. The strategies discussed here about taking the lower benefit early while letting the higher one grow could really apply to your situation too. Hang in there - we're all learning together!
Join the conversation
Since your friend's husband hadn't started benefits yet, she should definitely understand the "deemed filing" rules don't apply to survivor benefits. This means she could potentially take reduced survivor benefits now at 62 and then switch to her own retirement benefit at 70 if it would be higher (or vice versa - take her reduced retirement now and switch to full survivor benefits at her full retirement age). This is one of the few remaining ways to use a "claim now, claim more later" strategy since the 2015 rule changes. The chart should help explain this, but it might be worth her consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security to run the numbers for her specific situation.
Wait WHAT?? You can still do that with survivor benefits?? I thought they eliminated ALL the switching strategies with that 2015 law! So you're saying if my husband dies (God forbid) I could take survivor benefits at 60 and then switch to my own at 70?? Why don't they make this clear on the SSA website???
Yes, that's correct. The 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act eliminated most of the "claim now, claim more later" strategies for retirement and spousal benefits, but it specifically exempted survivor benefits. This is one reason why the flowchart is so helpful - it clarifies which rules apply to which benefits. The SSA website explains this, but it's buried in technical language most people don't understand.
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a widow myself (lost my husband 18 months ago) and I wish I had found that flowchart back then. I made some mistakes early on because I didn't understand all my options. Just wanted to add a few things that might help your friend: 1. She should definitely apply for the $255 death benefit if she hasn't already - it's a one-time payment but every bit helps during this difficult time. 2. If she's working, there are earnings limits that could affect her survivor benefits before her full retirement age (but NOT after FRA). 3. The Social Security office will want to see the death certificate, so make sure she has certified copies. 4. Don't let anyone pressure her into making quick decisions about when to claim - she has time to figure out the best strategy for her situation. The grief makes everything so much harder to process, so having visual aids like that flowchart really does help. Sending good thoughts to your friend during this tough time.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and these practical tips! I'm so sorry for your loss. You're absolutely right about not rushing decisions - my friend is still in that overwhelming stage where everything feels urgent but she really does have time to make the best choice for her situation. I'll definitely make sure she knows about the earnings limits since she's still working part-time. The reminder about getting certified copies of the death certificate is really helpful too. I'll pass along all of this information to her. It's so valuable hearing from someone who has been through this process.
Amina Diallo
I'm so sorry for your loss, Selena. I went through this exact situation 3 years ago when my ex-husband passed away. You absolutely need to contact SSA immediately - they will NOT automatically switch your benefits, even though you're already in their system as his ex-spouse. I was receiving about $1,100/month in divorced spouse benefits, and after applying for survivor benefits, it increased to $1,750/month. The process took about 5 weeks once I submitted all the paperwork. Make sure you have his death certificate, your marriage certificate, and divorce decree ready when you call. Most importantly, document the exact date you first report his death to SSA - they backdate the increased payments to that date, not when they finish processing your application. Don't delay on this - every month you wait potentially means losing money you're entitled to. The 22-year marriage definitely qualifies you, and the survivor benefit should be significantly higher than your current payment even with the early filing reduction.
0 coins
Carmen Ortiz
•Thank you so much, Amina. Your experience mirrors exactly what I'm going through, and it's incredibly helpful to hear from someone who's been in this exact situation. The increase from $1,100 to $1,750 gives me a real sense of what I might expect, which helps so much with planning. I really appreciate the emphasis on documenting when I first report the death - that seems to be a crucial detail that could save me from losing months of payments. I've got all my paperwork gathered and I'm calling SSA first thing Monday morning. It's reassuring to know that the 22-year marriage definitely qualifies me and that others have successfully navigated this process. Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed and encouraging guidance during this difficult time.
0 coins
AstroAlpha
I'm so sorry for your loss, Selena. I went through this exact situation when my ex-husband passed away in 2021. You definitely need to contact SSA immediately - they won't automatically switch your benefits even though you're already receiving divorced spouse benefits on his record. When I called to report his death and apply for survivor benefits, my monthly payment increased from about $1,300 to $2,100. The process took roughly 6 weeks, but they backdated the increase to the month I first reported his death. Make sure you have his death certificate (certified copy is fine), your marriage certificate, and divorce decree ready when you call. Document the exact date you contact them about his death - this is crucial for the backdating. Since you were married for 22 years, you definitely qualify for survivor benefits. Even with the reduction for taking benefits early at 62, the survivor benefit should still be substantially higher than your current divorced spouse benefit. Don't wait - call them as soon as possible to start the process!
0 coins