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
This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation planning to start benefits mid-2025, and the clarity everyone has provided about switching from monthly to annual testing is exactly what I needed. One question I haven't seen addressed - does the timing of when you file your application matter, or just when benefits actually begin? I'm wondering if I should file early in 2025 even though I want benefits to start in October, or if it's better to wait until closer to my desired start date. Also, has anyone had experience with how quickly SSA processes applications these days? I want to make sure there aren't any delays that could push my start date into 2026 unintentionally.
Great questions! From what I understand, the timing of your application versus when benefits start is important. You can actually file up to 4 months before you want your benefits to begin, so you could file in June 2025 for an October start date. This is actually recommended to avoid processing delays. As for processing times, I've heard they're running about 2-3 months right now, so filing early is definitely wise. The key thing is that your "entitlement date" (when benefits actually start) is what determines whether you're on the monthly or annual earnings test, not when you filed. So even if you file in June, as long as your benefits start in October 2025, you'd still use the monthly test for Oct-Dec 2025 and then switch to annual in 2026. I'd suggest calling SSA or visiting their website to confirm current processing times in your area though!
This is exactly the kind of detailed discussion I was hoping to find! I'm also planning to retire mid-2025 and had the same confusion about the earnings test timing. Based on all the responses here, it sounds like the key takeaway is: monthly test for the remainder of 2025 after you start benefits, then automatic switch to annual test starting January 2026. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned - does anyone know if there are any special considerations for seasonal workers or people with irregular income? My part-time work in 2026 will likely be project-based, so my monthly earnings might vary quite a bit even though my annual total should stay under the limit. I assume the annual test handles this better than trying to track monthly fluctuations, but wanted to check if anyone has experience with this situation. Also, huge thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences with SSA processing times and customer service challenges - this kind of practical advice is invaluable for planning!
You're absolutely right that the annual test is much better for irregular income! I had a similar situation with freelance work that varied month to month. With the annual test, SSA looks at your total earnings for the entire calendar year, so it doesn't matter if you earn $3000 one month and $500 the next - they just care about the yearly total staying under the limit (around $22,200 for 2026). This is actually one of the big advantages of the annual test over the monthly test. Just make sure to track your project income carefully throughout the year so you can adjust if you're getting close to the limit. And definitely report your estimated annual earnings to SSA when you apply - you can always update it later if your project schedule changes!
Join the conversation
For the death certificate, they usually want to see the original but they'll make a copy and give it back to you. At least that's what happened when my sister applied for survivor benefits. And yes, having his Social Security number would definitely help speed things up when you contact them, but if you don't have it, they should be able to find his record with enough other information.
Just to add to this - I helped my cousin with her survivor benefit application last month, and they were able to locate her ex's record with just his name, date of birth, and date of death. Having his SSN makes it faster, but they can find it without it if you have other identifying info.
One more important thing to consider: If you're working and planning to apply for survivor benefits at 60, be aware of the earnings test. In 2025, if you earn more than $23,000 (approximate figure), SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit until you reach your Full Retirement Age. This earnings test can significantly reduce or eliminate your survivor benefits if you have substantial income. However, once you reach FRA, the earnings test no longer applies, and you can earn any amount without reduction in benefits.
@f2cd0aba38ea With your income level, you're absolutely right that the earnings test would significantly impact your benefits at 60. At $50k/year, you'd be about $27k over the limit, which means they'd withhold roughly $13,500 in benefits annually. Definitely worth discussing with SSA - they can help you calculate whether the reduced benefit amount would still be worthwhile or if waiting makes more financial sense. Every situation is different!
@f2cd0aba38ea Another thing to consider is that even if the earnings test reduces your benefits now, those withheld benefits aren't lost forever. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, Social Security will recalculate your benefit amount to account for the months when benefits were withheld due to earnings. So you'd get credit for those "lost" months through a higher monthly benefit for the rest of your life. It's definitely worth getting a personalized calculation from SSA to see what makes the most sense financially in your situation.
Join the conversation
Congratulations on getting through and getting approved! That's a significant monthly benefit that will definitely help with raising your daughter. Just wanted to add a couple of things others haven't mentioned: 1) If your situation changes and you and your husband legally separate or divorce, you may still be eligible for divorced spouse benefits later when you turn 62 (as long as your marriage lasted at least 10 years, which yours has). 2) Keep good records of all the paperwork you submit to SSA. Sometimes documents get lost in their system and having copies can save you time if you need to resubmit anything. 3) The benefits should be retroactive to when you first became eligible (likely when your daughter started receiving benefits), so you might get a lump sum back payment. It's really encouraging to see someone navigate the SSA system successfully and get the help they're entitled to. Your story will definitely help other parents in similar situations!
This is such valuable additional information! I hadn't even thought about the retroactive payments or keeping copies of documents. The point about divorced spouse benefits is interesting too - good to know that's an option down the road if needed. It's amazing how many different types of Social Security benefits exist that most people don't know about. Thanks for sharing these practical tips!
This thread has been so helpful! I'm in a somewhat similar situation - my ex-husband is collecting disability benefits and our 12-year-old receives benefits on his record. I'm 45 and have primary custody. I had no idea I might be eligible for mother's benefits too. The information about it not mattering that we're divorced (as long as I'm caring for the child) is news to me. Gabriel, thank you for asking this question and sharing your successful outcome - it's given me hope that I can navigate this process too. The tip about Claimyr.com might be a lifesaver since I've also had terrible luck getting through to SSA by phone. Going to look into applying for these benefits this week!
Welcome to the community! Your situation sounds very similar to Gabriel's, and you're absolutely right that you may be eligible for mother's benefits. The great news is that being divorced doesn't disqualify you as long as you're caring for a child under 16 who receives benefits on your ex-husband's record. The key requirements are that you have custody/care of the child and that you were married to the worker (your ex-husband) for at least 10 years - though for these specific mother's benefits, I believe the 10-year rule may not even apply since it's based on caring for the child. Definitely worth pursuing! Good luck with your application this week.
Join the conversation
I just wanted to thank everyone who contributed to this discussion - the information shared here is incredibly valuable! As someone who's been navigating Social Security planning for my own family, I can attest to how confusing these rules can be, especially when dealing with divorced spouse benefits. One additional resource that might be helpful is the SSA's Publication 05-10084 "Benefits For Your Divorced Spouse" which explains these rules in detail. You can find it on their website under publications. Also, many local libraries have AARP tax preparation volunteers during tax season who are often well-versed in Social Security questions and can provide free guidance. The strategy discussed here really highlights the importance of understanding all your options before making claiming decisions. It's great to see a community where people share real experiences and practical advice!
Thank you for mentioning that SSA publication - I'll definitely look that up! And the tip about AARP volunteers at libraries is something I never would have thought of. It's amazing how many resources are available if you know where to look. This whole thread has been such a goldmine of information. I'm feeling much more confident about my Social Security planning now, and it's reassuring to know there's a community of people who've been through similar situations and are willing to share their knowledge. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to help!
This has been such an informative discussion! I'm actually a Social Security representative (though I can't provide official advice here), and I'm impressed by how accurate most of the information shared has been. A few things I'd emphasize for anyone in similar situations: 1. The 10-year marriage requirement is key - you mentioned 25 years, so you're well covered there. 2. Your strategy of waiting until 70 is smart since it maximizes your own benefit with delayed retirement credits. 3. When the time comes to apply for survivor benefits, don't rely solely on phone calls - consider scheduling an in-person appointment at your local SSA office for something this important. 4. Keep in mind that survivor benefits can be claimed as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled), but waiting until your FRA gives you 100% of the benefit. Your plan is sound, and it's great to see so many people helping each other understand these complex rules. The peace of mind alone of having a backup plan is valuable!
Sean O'Brien
One thing that might help with your decision is to calculate the breakeven point. If you're both in good health, delaying might still make sense for the survivor benefit protection, but if you need the income now or have health concerns, claiming at FRA could be better. Also double-check if your wife has enough work credits for her own Social Security - sometimes people assume they need spousal benefits when their own benefit might actually be higher. The SSA estimator tool can help you compare scenarios, but definitely get official confirmation from SSA before making your final choice.
0 coins
CosmicCruiser
•That's really helpful advice about checking the breakeven point and using the SSA estimator tool. I didn't realize there was an official tool that could help compare different scenarios. As someone new to navigating Social Security, it's overwhelming how many factors there are to consider - spousal vs own benefits, survivor benefits, health considerations, immediate income needs. I appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences here because the official SSA materials can be pretty confusing for situations like this.
0 coins
Sofia Martinez
As someone who just went through this decision process with my spouse, I'd strongly recommend using the Social Security Administration's online benefit calculators and getting a personalized estimate. What really helped us was creating a spreadsheet comparing total lifetime benefits under different scenarios - claiming at FRA vs delaying, factoring in both our ages and life expectancies. Don't forget to consider your wife's own work record too - she might be entitled to benefits on her own that could be higher than spousal benefits. The "restricted application" strategy that used to allow claiming spousal while delaying your own benefit was phased out, so now it's really about timing when you both file. Good luck with your decision!
0 coins
Luca Romano
•This is such great advice about creating a spreadsheet to compare scenarios! As someone just starting to research Social Security strategies, I'm realizing how complex these decisions can be. The mention of the "restricted application" strategy being phased out is news to me - it sounds like the rules have changed quite a bit over the years. I'm wondering if there are other strategies that used to exist but don't anymore that I should be aware of? It seems like timing really is everything with these decisions, and I appreciate hearing from people who have actually been through this process recently.
0 coins