Just wanted to add one more consideration - make sure to keep detailed records of your earnings throughout the year. SSA will want documentation when they do their annual earnings review, and having everything organized will make the process much smoother. Also, if your income varies month to month, you might want to estimate conservatively and report any changes to SSA promptly. They can adjust the withholding mid-year if your circumstances change, which could help you avoid overpayment situations that need to be sorted out later.

One more thing to consider that hasn't been fully addressed - the timing of when benefits get withheld during the year. SSA doesn't spread the withholding evenly across 12 months. They typically withhold your entire monthly benefit starting in January until they've recovered the projected annual withholding amount. So if they calculate you'll have $30,000 withheld for the year and your monthly benefit is $2,600, they'll withhold your benefits for about 11-12 months, then you might get benefits again in November/December. This can create cash flow challenges if you're counting on any SS income during certain months. Just something to factor into your budgeting when you take that job!

My neighbor got approved for disability and it took like 6-7 weeks to get paid I think? But that was in Florida not NY so maybe different?

I work for a disability advocacy organization and see this situation frequently. Your brother-in-law should expect his first regular SSDI payment within 4-8 weeks of approval (so likely by mid to late October). The backpay typically follows 2-4 weeks after that. Regarding child support - NY follows federal guidelines that limit garnishment to 65% of backpay for arrears and typically 50-65% of ongoing monthly payments. However, he should immediately contact the NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) child support enforcement unit to discuss his situation. Sometimes they'll agree to a lower percentage if he can demonstrate financial hardship. Important: Make sure he keeps detailed records of all his current living expenses (rent, utilities, food, medical costs) as this documentation can help when negotiating with child support enforcement. Also, since DSS will want repayment from his backpay period, he should ask for a written breakdown of exactly what they expect to recover so there are no surprises. The waiting is brutal, but hang in there - the payments are coming!

I've been through a similar situation and wanted to share some practical tips that helped me prepare for when my daughter's benefits ended. First, create a written timeline now - mark your calendar for when your son turns 17.5 (to watch for that school status form), his 18th birthday, and his expected graduation date. Second, start reaching out to SSA about 4-5 months before he turns 18 to confirm the exact termination date and get any necessary forms. Third, if you're planning to modify child support when benefits end, consider consulting with a family law attorney about 6 months before the benefits stop - they can help you understand your state's specific requirements and timeline for filing. Finally, document everything - keep copies of all SSA correspondence, your annual payee reports, and records of how the benefits were used. This documentation will be helpful both for SSA and for court proceedings. The transition doesn't have to be overwhelming if you plan ahead!

I'm new to this community but facing a similar situation with my 15-year-old daughter who receives benefits from her father's disability record. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the Student Statement form or that benefits could continue until 19 if still in high school. One thing I'm wondering about - does anyone know if the rules are different for children receiving benefits from a parent on disability versus retirement? My ex went on SSDI rather than early retirement, but I assume the age cutoffs are the same? Also, I've been struggling with those annual payee reports - they're so confusing. Does anyone have tips for organizing records throughout the year to make completing them easier?

That's a good point. She did work for about 25 years as a teacher in a private school, but I think her own benefit calculation was quite a bit lower than even the 50% she gets from Uncle Frank's record. Still worth checking though!

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This is definitely a stressful time to be dealing with benefit questions, but you're being such a good advocate for your aunt. Just wanted to add that when she calls SSA, she should also ask about any potential lump-sum death benefit ($255) that she might be eligible for as the divorced spouse. It's not a huge amount, but every bit helps during this transition period. Also, if she's feeling overwhelmed by the phone process, many local SSA offices allow walk-ins for urgent matters like survivor benefit applications - sometimes that can be faster than trying to get through on the phone, especially given the current wait times people are experiencing.

This is exactly the kind of detailed, helpful information this community needs! As someone who's been navigating Social Security benefits for my aging parents, I can't stress enough how important it is to get multiple opinions and do your own research. The RIB-LIM rule is so obscure that even I hadn't heard of it until reading your post, despite spending months researching survivor benefits. It's shocking that a rule with such significant financial implications isn't better explained or more widely known. Your persistence at the SSA office was admirable - I know it's uncomfortable to push back when you feel like you're being difficult, but $21,000 is absolutely worth advocating for yourself! The fact that they suddenly found a "technical specialist" when you mentioned calling your Representative's office says everything about how the system works. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation: document everything. Keep notes of what each SSA rep tells you, including their names and the date. If you get conflicting information, ask them to put their recommendation in writing. This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if you need to escalate or if there are errors that need to be corrected later. Thank you for sharing this experience and potentially saving other widows and widowers from making costly mistakes!

As someone who works in financial planning, I can't emphasize enough how critical this story is for anyone dealing with survivor benefits. The RIB-LIM rule is one of those "hidden" provisions that can literally make or break someone's retirement security, yet it's rarely discussed in general Social Security education materials. What's particularly concerning is that this isn't just about one misinformed representative - it reflects a systemic issue where front-line SSA staff often aren't trained on the more complex optimization scenarios. They're taught the basic rules but may not understand how different provisions interact with each other. For anyone reading this thread: if you're dealing with survivor benefits, divorced spouse benefits, or any situation involving multiple benefit types, please get a second opinion before filing. The difference between optimal and suboptimal timing can easily be $20,000-$50,000+ over your lifetime. Ally, thank you for being persistent and sharing this experience. Your willingness to stand your ground potentially saved not just yourself but countless others who will read this story. This is exactly the kind of real-world advocacy that forces the system to work properly.