Will my 7-year-old get full Social Security dependent benefits after older siblings age out?

I'm helping my neighbor navigate some complicated Social Security dependent benefit questions. She's permanently disabled and receives SSDI. She has three children - twins who are 16 (both juniors in high school) and a 4-year-old. When the twins turn 18 next year, she's worried about a major drop in household income. Originally, when the family started receiving benefits, each child received a portion of the dependent benefit amount. Last month, she got a letter from SSA saying her benefits would change, but she's confused about exactly HOW they'll change. Will her 4-year-old's benefit amount increase to capture what the twins were getting? Or will that money just disappear? The family maximum limit is confusing me! The SSA website makes it sound like the remaining child benefit stays the same percentage (50% of the disabled parent's benefit), but a benefits calculator she used suggested the household would lose a substantial amount. Does anyone know how this actually works in practice?

Will my state pension count toward Social Security earnings limit at age 62?

I'm planning to retire next year and start collecting Social Security at 62. My financial situation is a bit complicated and I'm confused about the earnings test. I receive a state pension of $1300 per month from my previous government job (I worked there for 15 years). Now I'm in the private sector making about $35,000 annually, but I'll be leaving that job when I retire. I understand there's a limit of around $22,000 that I can earn before they start reducing my Social Security benefits. What I can't figure out is whether my monthly pension payment counts toward this earnings limit? That's $15,600 annually from the pension - does this count against the $22,000 limit? And if I decide to work part-time after starting SS, how would they calculate what counts against the limit? Would it be both my pension AND any part-time income? Really confused about this and the SSA website isn't clear. Thanks for any help!

Is autism classified as mental or cognitive disability for SSI/SSDI when my teen functions at 1st grade level?

I'm so confused after calling SSA about my daughter's disability status. She's 15 but functions academically at a 1st grade level. When I called to ask about getting her deemed disabled, the representative insisted autism is categorized as a 'mental disorder' for Social Security purposes. I always thought autism was considered a cognitive disability? Her school testing at age 9 showed an IQ of 71, and honestly she hasn't progressed much since then. She's still on a 1-2 grade academic curriculum, can't really write or spell independently. She does have additional diagnoses including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia, but I was specifically asking about how SSA classifies autism. I'm worried about what happens when she turns 18 and needs to apply for adult disability benefits. Will it make a difference if autism is considered mental vs. cognitive in her approval chances? Has anyone gone through this process with a child with significant developmental/cognitive delays? Any advice would be appreciated!

SSI Medicaid loss due to Survivor benefits increase - Pickle Amendment and disabled child benefits questions

I'm completely lost after getting some confusing information from SSA about my daughter's benefits. My 14-year-old daughter has severe disabilities and was receiving SSI with Medicaid. After my husband passed away, we started receiving survivor benefits which increased our income and now they're terminating her SSI/Medicaid (which covers therapies and medical equipment insurance doesn't). The SSA rep told me to apply for something called the "Pickle Amendment" through Health & Human Services to possibly keep Medicaid. Has anyone gone through this process? What's the income limit? Is it a huge paperwork nightmare? The rep also dropped another bombshell - she said when my daughter turns 16, I'll lose MY survivor benefits, but my daughter can keep hers due to disability. I always thought caregivers of disabled children could continue receiving benefits! Then she mentioned something about applying for "disabled adults in care benefit" when my daughter turns 18. I feel like I'm getting different information every time I talk to someone. This is our financial lifeline and I'm panicking about making the wrong moves. Any advice from parents who've navigated this SSI/survivor benefits maze with disabled children would be SO appreciated.

How to get a Social Security appointment - phone vs. walkins for benefit application?

I need to apply for my Social Security benefits soon and I'm confused about the best way to set up an appointment. Does anyone know if I should call first? If I do call, will they just schedule me for an in-person appointment or can they actually help me apply over the phone? Also, are walk-ins still a thing at SS offices these days? My local office always looks packed when I drive by. I'd prefer to have everything scheduled but I don't want to wait months either. Any recent experiences would be super helpful! Thanks in advance!

Should I start Social Security immediately after retiring if I'm no longer earning income?

Social Security earnings limit confusion - will 2025 pre-retirement income count against survivor benefits?

I'm planning to start collecting my late husband's survivor benefits when I turn 62 this September, then switch to my own retirement benefit at either 67 or 70 (still deciding). But I'm completely confused about the earnings limit for 2025! I'll continue working full-time until August 2025, so I'll earn about $76,500 before retiring - obviously way over the $23,500 annual limit. My questions: 1. Do they count ALL income for the entire year, including the months BEFORE I start collecting survivor benefits? 2. If I'm over the limit, do they just reduce benefits proportionally or stop them entirely until next year? 3. Does this earnings test apply differently for survivor benefits vs. regular retirement benefits? This is so confusing and the SSA website isn't clear. I'm afraid of getting hit with an overpayment notice later. Has anyone navigated this particular situation successfully?

Can I claim survivor benefits from first husband after second divorce? Married 20 years

I'm trying to figure out if I'm eligible for any Social Security benefits after my first husband passed away last month. Our marriage lasted 20 years (1989-2009), then I remarried in 2015 when I was 55. My second marriage ended in divorce last year (2022). My first husband just died in August and I've heard something about possibly being able to claim survivor benefits since my second marriage ended. I'm 63 now and struggling financially, so any benefits would really help. Does anyone know if I qualify for survivor benefits from my first husband? The SSA website is confusing me with all these marriage/remarriage rules.

How to apply for Social Security survivor benefits for grandchildren after son's death

I'm still in shock over losing my son suddenly last month. He had two young children (ages 8 and 11) who are now living with their mother, my ex-daughter-in-law. My son was their primary financial support and I promised to help figure out their Social Security options. I know children can get survivor benefits, but I'm completely lost on how to start this process. Do I need to go to a local office? What documents will they need? Is there an online application? Does my ex-daughter-in-law need to be the one to apply since she has custody? My son had been working steadily for about 15 years paying into Social Security. Any guidance would be so appreciated during this difficult time.

Can my husband receive Social Security disability while working after his strokes? VA disability complicates things

My husband (57) had two strokes in the past month that affected his mobility and left arm function. He's already rated 100% disabled through the VA, but we're considering applying for Social Security disability too since his recovery is uncertain. The problem is he's stubborn and talking about returning to his construction management job part-time during the SSDI application process. Would this automatically disqualify him? I've heard about some earnings limit but don't understand if that applies during application or only after approval. Does his VA disability status help or complicate the SSDI application? I'm trying to plan our finances while supporting his recovery, but he won't listen about potentially hurting his case by working too soon.