WAIT!! If you have a mySSA account you can get the updated benefit letter online in early December!! Thats what I did last year after waiting FOREVER for the paper letter!!! Go to ssa.gov and make an account if you dont have one!

I work at a local senior center and deal with this issue every year! Here's what I've learned: The SSA usually updates the online benefit verification letters in the first week of December, which is your best bet for meeting that December 10th deadline. Since you have POA, you can definitely set up the mySSA account for your mom. Just make sure to have her Social Security card, birth certificate, and a utility bill handy when you create it - they're pretty strict about identity verification. Also, pro tip: some assisted living facilities will accept a printed email from SSA customer service confirming the new benefit amount if you explain the urgent housing deadline when you call. Worth asking your mom's facility if they'd accept that as backup documentation!

I'm so glad you found this information helpful! As someone who went through a similar situation, I wanted to add one more important point: when you call SSA, make sure to specifically ask about the "deemed filing" rules since you're already receiving SSDI. Sometimes the SSA representatives aren't familiar with how SSDI interacts with spousal benefits, so you might want to mention that you understand you can receive the higher of either your SSDI amount or the spousal benefit amount, but not both in full. Also, since you're 62, ask them to calculate both what you'd get now versus what you'd get if you waited until your full retirement age - sometimes the math works out better to wait depending on your specific situation. One last thing - if the first person you talk to seems uncertain about the rules, politely ask to speak with a supervisor or specialist. These cases can be complex and not every rep handles them regularly. Wishing you the best of luck with this process!

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share what I learned when I helped my neighbor with a similar situation last year. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that you should ask SSA about any potential "government pension offset" (GPO) or "windfall elimination provision" (WEP) that might affect your benefits. These rules can reduce Social Security benefits if you receive certain types of pensions, though they typically apply to government pensions rather than SSDI. Also, since you mentioned being in Florida now, you might want to check if there's a local SSA field office near you. Sometimes it's easier to get help in person, especially for complex cases like yours where you're dealing with both SSDI and potential ex-spousal benefits. You can find local offices on the SSA website. One more tip: if your ex-husband's earnings were significantly higher than yours (which sounds likely given the potential benefit amounts others have mentioned), this could be a game-changer for your monthly budget. Don't get discouraged if the first call doesn't go smoothly - persistence really pays off with SSA. Good luck!

One additional thing to consider - if you received retroactive survivors benefits while also receiving another type of benefit (like retirement on your own record), there might be an offset calculation happening too. Also, I'd recommend checking if the $13,358.20 figure includes any amount they might have withheld for potential tax liability. For larger backpay amounts, SSA sometimes withholds 10% for federal taxes unless you specifically requested otherwise. When you call, ask for a "MACADE" printout (Master Beneficiary Record Computer Access Data Extract) which shows all payment calculations and adjustments. Most representatives don't offer this unless specifically requested.

This is a really comprehensive discussion! As someone new to survivor benefits, I'm finding all these document names and potential reasons for discrepancies incredibly helpful. One thing I'd add - when you do call SSA, ask them to send you a written explanation of the calculation along with whatever documents people have mentioned. Having it in writing protects you if there are future disputes about overpayments. Also, if you're not satisfied with the first representative's explanation, don't hesitate to call back and speak with someone else. Sometimes different reps have different levels of knowledge about the more complex calculation issues that can affect survivor benefits. Good luck getting this sorted out - it sounds like you're being very proactive about understanding the numbers, which is exactly the right approach!

Update: I finally got through to someone at SSA today after trying for three days. The agent explained that they had initially calculated my benefit based on my husband's estimated earnings for his last year of work, but when the actual earnings were processed, it was lower than estimated. They're giving me options to either have reduced payments for 10 months or pay a lump sum (which I can't afford). I'm still going to file for reconsideration because I don't think I should be penalized for their estimation error. Thank you all for your helpful advice and support during this stressful time. The forms and information you suggested really helped me understand what was happening and what my options are.

I'm so glad you were able to get through and get some clarity on what happened! That estimation issue is incredibly frustrating - you're absolutely right that you shouldn't be penalized for their error. When you file your reconsideration, make sure to emphasize that: 1. You relied on SSA's benefit determination in good faith 2. You had no way to verify their earnings estimate was incorrect 3. The overpayment was entirely due to their administrative process, not any action on your part Also consider requesting a waiver alongside the reconsideration. Even if the overpayment stands, you might still qualify for waiver if repayment would cause financial hardship. Many people don't realize you can pursue both options simultaneously. Keep us posted on how the reconsideration goes - your experience could really help others in similar situations!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm bookmarking it for future reference. It's really reassuring to see how common these Medicare premium adjustment payments are when transitioning to Social Security. The lack of immediate explanation from SSA definitely causes unnecessary anxiety, but seeing everyone's experiences here shows it's just part of their standard process. For anyone else dealing with mysterious payments - it seems like the pattern is: if you're transitioning from direct Medicare payments to SS deductions, expect some kind of adjustment payment that might not be immediately explained in your online account. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and especially to those with professional knowledge who provided the detailed explanations!

This thread is incredibly helpful for anyone dealing with unexpected SSA payments! I just went through something similar when I started my disability benefits - got a random $67 payment about three weeks before my regular benefits began, with zero explanation. Like others mentioned, it turned out to be related to Medicare premium adjustments since I had been paying Part B premiums directly. The frustrating part is that SSA's customer service seems to assume everyone understands their complex payment systems, but for those of us new to the process, these mystery deposits can be really stressful. It's great to see the community filling in these knowledge gaps where official communication fails. For future readers: if you're transitioning any type of Medicare premium payment method when starting SS benefits, expect some kind of adjustment payment that may not be immediately explained!