what about the max family benefit thing? isn't there a limit on how much one family can get from one worker's record? might be something to check into

I'm a case worker at a disability advocacy organization, and I see families in your situation frequently. A few additional points that might help: 1. **Documentation is everything** - Start gathering comprehensive medical records NOW, including any IEPs or 504 plans from school, therapy records, and psychiatric evaluations. The more complete your file, the smoother the process. 2. **Consider getting a disability attorney consultation** - Many work on contingency (they only get paid if you win), and they can help navigate the appeals process if needed. For DAC cases, they're often worth it given the complexity. 3. **Timeline is critical** - As others mentioned, apply 3-4 months before his 18th birthday. But also be aware that if there's ANY gap in benefits, it can create complications. The goal is seamless transition from childhood survivor benefits to DAC benefits. 4. **Work activity matters** - Your son CAN work part-time while on DAC benefits, but keep detailed records of hours and earnings. The SGA limit for 2025 is $1,550/month, but there are work incentives that allow him to earn more in some situations. 5. **College accommodations help your case** - If he needs disability services at college, that documentation actually SUPPORTS his disability claim rather than hurting it. The system is frustrating, but don't give up! Most families eventually get approved with persistence.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the potential impact on your Medicare decisions down the road. If you're planning to claim Social Security at 64, you'll need to consider how this affects your Medicare enrollment timeline at 65. Also, since your husband earns above the maximum taxable limit, his Social Security benefit calculation is already maxed out for the current year in terms of the formula. Any additional earnings beyond $173,100 won't increase his Social Security benefit further for 2025, but they will continue to improve his highest 35 years of earnings if this year replaces a lower-earning year in his calculation. The key insight many people miss is that Social Security claiming is really about optimizing household income over your joint lifetimes, not just individual benefits. Given the significant income disparity you've described, the early claiming strategy likely makes sense, but definitely run the numbers on the tax impact first. You might find that even with higher taxes, the extra years of benefits still come out ahead mathematically.

The strategy you're considering makes a lot of sense mathematically, especially given the significant earnings difference between you and your husband. Since he's earning above the maximum taxable limit ($173,100 for 2025), his Social Security benefit is already being calculated at the highest possible level for this year. Here's what I'd focus on in your situation: 1. **Spousal benefit timing**: When your husband files at 70, you'd potentially receive the higher of your own benefit OR 50% of his full retirement age benefit amount (not his delayed retirement credit amount). Since his benefit will be substantial, this could mean a nice boost for you. 2. **Survivor benefit consideration**: By having your husband delay until 70, his benefit grows by 32% beyond his FRA due to delayed retirement credits. This also maximizes your potential survivor benefit if he passes away first - a crucial factor many couples overlook. 3. **Tax planning opportunity**: Since you mentioned his income is well above the taxable limit, you'll definitely want to model the tax impact. Your Social Security benefits will likely be 85% taxable given your combined income, but even with taxes, claiming early often still provides a net positive over the claiming period. The calculator is probably right, but definitely run a comprehensive analysis that includes taxes before deciding. Have you considered using a fee-only financial advisor who specializes in Social Security optimization?

Yes, you should contact SSA when your wife approaches 62 to evaluate the spousal benefit option. While she can't receive both her own SSDI and spousal benefits simultaneously (she'll only get the higher of the two), the calculation can be complex and depends on your specific earnings histories. Regarding your earlier question about avoiding IRMAA increases: Yes, there's a process for this. When you receive the IRMAA determination (usually in November/December for the following year), you can file for a reconsideration using Form SSA-44, citing the backpay as a one-time income event. This form specifically allows for reporting "life-changing events" that make your current income lower than what appears on your tax return from two years prior. Finally, I highly recommend keeping detailed records of when the backpay is received and how it's spent, especially for any medical expenses which might be deductible.

Congratulations on your wife's approval! As someone new to this community, I wanted to add that you might also want to check if your state has any additional resources for people receiving SSDI backpay. Some states offer financial counseling services specifically for disability recipients who receive large lump sums. Also, if you're planning to use any of the backpay for home modifications or medical equipment, keep those receipts - they could be tax deductible medical expenses. The Medicare.gov website has a tool called the "Medicare Plan Finder" that can help you estimate how premium changes might affect your Part D costs too. Good luck navigating all of this - it sounds overwhelming but you're asking all the right questions!

As a newcomer here, I wanted to share something that helped me when I was dealing with a similar situation with my disabled son. One thing I learned is that it's really important to request a "protective filing date" when you submit your request for the childhood disability determination. This ensures that if your benefits are temporarily stopped while they review the case, any back payments owed to you will be calculated from the date you first requested the determination, not from when they finally approve it. When I called SSA, I specifically said "I need to establish a protective filing date for a childhood disability determination to continue my Child-in-Care benefits past age 16." The representative made note of this in my case file, which ended up being crucial because the review process took longer than expected. Also, don't be afraid to escalate if you're not getting the right answers. I had to ask to speak with a "Claims Specialist" who handles disability cases specifically. Regular customer service reps often don't have the training on these more complex situations involving disabled children and continuing benefits. You're absolutely doing the right thing by questioning what you were told. Trust your instincts - if something doesn't sound right about losing benefits for a disabled child, it probably isn't right. Keep pushing and don't let them discourage you from pursuing what your family is entitled to receive.

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my support to what everyone else has been saying - the SSA representative definitely gave you incorrect information about your CIC benefits stopping at 16 for your disabled daughter. I recently went through this exact situation with my nephew who has intellectual disabilities. The first three representatives I spoke with all gave me different (and wrong) answers. It wasn't until I got connected with someone in the disability determination unit that I learned about the exception for disabled children. One thing that really helped me was preparing a simple one-page summary before calling that included: my nephew's name and SSN, the fact that he's receiving survivors benefits, his documented disability, and specifically that I was calling to "request a childhood disability determination for continued CIC benefits beyond age 16." Having this written down helped me stay focused during the call and made sure I didn't forget to mention any key details. Also, if you encounter resistance, don't hesitate to mention that you're aware this is covered under CFR 404.350(a)(5) and that you'd like them to document in your file that you're requesting this determination. Sometimes mentioning specific regulations helps demonstrate that you've done your homework and aren't going to accept incorrect information. Keep advocating for your daughter - the law is absolutely on your side here, and you shouldn't have to worry about losing benefits you're legally entitled to receive. This community is proof that with persistence and the right information, these situations can be resolved successfully!

Oh that's a good point. I'm on my husband's insurance through his employer (he's 64 and still working). I'll have to check with his HR department about this. Thanks for bringing it up!

Hope you recover quickly! Just wanted to add that if you do end up needing someone to help you apply, make sure they have all your personal information ready - Social Security number, birth certificate info, work history for the last couple years, and your bank account details for direct deposit. The SSA website also lets you create a "my Social Security" account ahead of time which can speed up the process. If your daughter is helping with the laptop, she could even help you set that up first. Wishing you a smooth application process and speedy recovery!