I went through this exact same situation two years ago! The process was actually much smoother than I expected once I understood that SSA handles all the comparison work. I applied online at ssa.gov and it took about 6 weeks to get approved. One tip that really helped me: when you're gathering documents, also look for any old tax returns where you filed jointly - SSA sometimes asks for these to verify the marriage dates if there are any discrepancies with your other documents. I ended up getting the divorced spouse benefit which was about $200 more per month than my own would have been. Don't stress about not knowing your ex's benefit amount - the system really does work without you having to figure that out yourself!

I'm going through this same process right now and wanted to share what I learned from my appointment last week. The SSA representative was really helpful and confirmed that you don't need your ex's benefit information. She told me they actually prefer when people apply for both benefits simultaneously because it saves them from having to call you back later to explain options. One thing that surprised me - if you don't have your ex's SSN, they can usually find his record using his full name, date of birth, and place of birth. I didn't have his SSN but they located his file within minutes using those details. Also, she mentioned that even if your ex hasn't filed for benefits yet, you can still get divorced spouse benefits based on what he would be entitled to at his full retirement age. The whole appointment took about 45 minutes and I walked away feeling much more confident about my decision to file early. Hope this helps!

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is definitely a stressful situation to navigate during an already difficult time, but you're absolutely doing the right thing by asking these questions upfront. From what I understand about Social Security timing, that September payment was most likely for August (since benefits are paid in arrears), which means your father-in-law was entitled to it since he was alive for the entire month of August. However, I'd strongly recommend calling SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 to get definitive confirmation about which month that specific payment covers. When you call, also verify that the death notification has been properly processed in their system. Even though the funeral home said they'd handle it, it's worth confirming this was actually completed - sometimes there can be processing delays. Make sure to ask for a reference number for your call and keep detailed notes of what they tell you. This documentation will be helpful for estate records and your own peace of mind. You're handling this very thoughtfully by being proactive rather than just waiting to see what happens. That approach will definitely help avoid any potential complications down the road.

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is such a difficult situation to navigate during an already overwhelming time, and you're absolutely right to seek clarity on this before any issues arise. From everything I've learned about Social Security timing, that September payment was almost certainly for August since benefits are paid in arrears (meaning you receive payment in one month for the previous month). Since your father-in-law was alive for all of August, that payment should rightfully belong to his estate and you shouldn't need to return it. However, I'd definitely recommend calling SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 to get official confirmation on two key points: 1) which specific month that September deposit covers, and 2) that his death has been properly reported and processed in their system. Even though the funeral home said they'd handle the notification, it's always wise to verify this was completed. When you call, have his Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death ready, and ask for a reference number for your call. The wait times can be frustrating, but getting that official confirmation will give you peace of mind and proper documentation for the estate. You're being very responsible by addressing this proactively rather than waiting to see what happens. That approach will definitely help you avoid any potential complications down the road.

Wow, what a relief that it turned out to be money you were actually owed! This thread has been so educational - I had no idea that SSA could do retroactive adjustments based on actual vs. estimated earnings. I'm in a similar situation (recently widowed and working part-time while receiving survivor benefits) and this gives me a better understanding of how the system works. I'm also impressed that the Claimyr service actually worked - I've been dreading having to call SSA about some questions I have. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with the resolution!

This is such a valuable thread for anyone dealing with Social Security benefits! I'm relatively new to the survivor benefits process myself (my husband passed away 8 months ago), and I had no idea that SSA could make these kinds of retroactive adjustments based on actual vs. estimated earnings. Your experience really highlights the importance of not panicking when you see an unexpected deposit - sometimes it's actually good news! I'm also really glad you mentioned the Claimyr service because I've been putting off calling SSA about some questions I have, dreading the long hold times. It's reassuring to know there might be a better way to actually reach someone. Thanks for following through and updating everyone with the resolution - it makes this community so much more helpful when people share how things actually turn out!

Thank you all so much for your helpful advice. I'm going to gather his school records, get statements from family members and his current doctors, and try to get through to SSA to start the application process. I'm feeling much more hopeful knowing that the Disabled Adult Child benefits might be an option, even without childhood medical records. I'll update once we make some progress with the application.

Best of luck with your brother's application! One more tip - when you're gathering those family statements, ask people to be specific about what they observed over the years. Instead of just saying "he always needed help," have them describe specific examples like "I noticed he couldn't manage his money and would get confused counting change" or "he needed reminders to do basic tasks like brushing his teeth even as a teenager." The more concrete details you can provide about his limitations throughout his life, the stronger your case will be. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your brother during such a difficult time.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly impressed by the depth of knowledge and real-world experience shared in this thread! The complexity surrounding IRS Notice 2014-7 exempt income and its interaction with Social Security earnings limits really highlights how challenging it can be to navigate these government program intersections. What concerns me most is the clear pattern of inconsistent information from different SSA representatives. It's both frustrating and enlightening to see that multiple people received completely different answers to the same question. This really drives home the importance of specifically requesting a Technical Expert rather than accepting guidance from general phone support staff for specialized situations like this. The distinction between tax-exempt status and what counts as "earnings" for the SSA limit is something I never would have grasped without reading everyone's detailed experiences here. It's a perfect example of how different government agencies can have entirely different interpretations of the same income source. I'm particularly grateful to those who shared their actual experiences navigating this process - Dylan's detailed account of working with a Technical Expert was especially valuable. Learning from people who've been through the real bureaucratic maze provides insights you simply can't get from reading policy documents alone. For anyone else facing similar situations with Medicaid waiver payments, the consensus advice seems very sound: assume your exempt income will likely count toward the earnings test until you receive definitive written clarification from an SSA Technical Expert. The emphasis on thorough documentation, using Form SSA-795, and getting all decisions in writing appears crucial for protecting yourself given the potential for varying interpretations. Thank you all for such an educational and thorough discussion - this has been an invaluable introduction to understanding these complex benefit interactions!

As someone new to this community and just starting to understand Social Security benefits, this discussion has been absolutely invaluable! The complexity around IRS Notice 2014-7 exempt income and how it interacts with SSA earnings limits really shows how challenging these government program intersections can be. What strikes me most is the clear pattern of conflicting information from different SSA representatives that multiple people have experienced. It's both concerning and important to understand that you really need to specifically request a Technical Expert rather than relying on general phone support for these specialized situations. The distinction between what's tax-exempt for IRS purposes versus what counts as "earnings" for the Social Security earnings test is something I never would have grasped without reading everyone's real experiences here. It's a perfect example of how different agencies can interpret the same income completely differently. I'm particularly grateful to those who shared their actual experiences - especially Dylan's detailed account of working with a Technical Expert and the POMS system. Learning from people who've navigated the real bureaucratic process is so much more valuable than just reading policy documents online. For anyone else facing similar caregiving situations, the consensus advice seems very practical: assume your exempt income will likely count toward the earnings test until you get definitive written clarification from an SSA Technical Expert. The emphasis on Form SSA-795, thorough documentation, and getting all decisions in writing seems crucial for protecting yourself. Thank you all for such an educational discussion - this has been an amazing introduction to understanding these complex benefit interactions!