You're making a smart decision to wait it out, especially given the significant difference between reduced and full retirement benefits ($690/month is substantial over a lifetime). Since you already have legal representation, that puts you in a much better position than many applicants. One additional thing to consider - if your husband's condition has worsened since the initial application, make sure your lawyer documents any progression or new limitations. Sometimes cases get approved not just on the original condition but on how it has deteriorated during the waiting period. Also, keep detailed records of all your financial hardship during this waiting period (medical bills, lost income, etc.) as this documentation can be helpful both for expedite requests and potentially for calculating any additional backpay periods. The financial stress of waiting is real and legitimate grounds for requesting faster processing. Hang in there - 11 months is frustrating but not unusual, and having a lawyer significantly improves your odds at each stage of the process.

I went through a very similar situation with my father who applied for SSDI at 64 after a workplace injury. What helped us was understanding that you can actually request a "dire need" or "critical case" expedite if you're facing serious financial hardship - which it sounds like you definitely are. The key is having documentation ready: unpaid medical bills, utility shutoff notices, mortgage/rent arrears, etc. Your lawyer should be able to help request this expedite, but sometimes calling SSA directly (when you can get through) works better. Also, I learned that even if the decision comes after his FRA, the "protective filing date" from his original application protects his rights to full disability backpay from that original date. So you're not losing those months - they're just being delayed. One more thing - if your husband's medical condition has worsened during this waiting period, make sure your lawyer documents that progression. Sometimes cases that might not have been approved initially get approved based on how the condition has deteriorated over time. The waiting is absolutely brutal, but don't give up. The system is slow but it does eventually work for people with legitimate claims.

Maya, I just wanted to add one more consideration that hasn't been mentioned yet - timing. Since you're 63 and still 2 years from your Full Retirement Age, you might want to consider spreading out your investment income over multiple years if possible. For example, instead of investing all $400K at once in high-yield investments, you could stage your investments to keep your annual income below the IRMAA thresholds until you reach FRA. This could help you avoid the Medicare premium increases while still generating the supplemental income you need. Also, remember that the IRMAA calculations are based on your tax return from 2 years prior, so any income changes you make in 2025 won't affect your Medicare premiums until 2027. This gives you some time to plan strategically. Best of luck with your new chapter - it sounds like you're being very thoughtful about planning ahead!

Maya, I'm so glad you found this community to get clarity on your situation! As someone who went through a similar financial transition while on SSDI, I wanted to emphasize a few practical steps that helped me: 1. Document everything - keep detailed records of the home sale proceeds and how you invest the money. This will be helpful for tax purposes and if you ever need to provide information to SSA. 2. Consider working with a fee-only financial advisor who has experience with disability benefits. They can help you create a withdrawal strategy that minimizes tax implications while maximizing your income. 3. Don't forget about state taxes - depending on where you live, your state might have different rules about taxing Social Security benefits and investment income. The peace of mind you'll have knowing your SSDI is secure regardless of your assets is huge. You're being smart to plan ahead and ask these questions before making any major investment decisions. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this new financial chapter!

let us know what u find out! im curious what they tell u since ill be in the same boat in a couple years

Just wanted to add a quick tip from my own experience - when you do contact SSA, make sure you have your husband's Social Security statement handy too. They'll need his projected benefit amount to run the calculations for your potential spousal benefit. You can both create accounts at ssa.gov to access your statements if you don't have them already. Also, don't be surprised if different agents give you slightly different answers - I had to call twice to get consistent information, but it was worth it to understand exactly where we stood financially. The automatic adjustment when your husband files is nice though - one less thing to worry about!

Just wanted to add that if your daughter is consistently working part-time, she should also keep detailed records of her earnings and work history. Sometimes there are errors in SSA's records, and having your own documentation can help resolve discrepancies later. Also, encourage her to create a my Social Security account online once she has a few years of work history. She can track her credits in real-time and get benefit estimates as her situation evolves. It's much easier to spot and fix errors early rather than years down the road when she's ready to apply for benefits. The fact that you're planning ahead for her future shows great foresight - many people don't think about this until it's too late to make strategic decisions about work history.

As someone who's navigated similar waters with a family member, I wanted to add that you might also want to look into your state's disability services and vocational rehabilitation programs. Many states offer job training, assistive technology, and workplace accommodations that could help your daughter increase her earning capacity while managing her health condition. These programs sometimes partner with employers who are specifically looking to hire people with disabilities, and they often provide ongoing support to both the employee and employer. It could be a pathway to higher wages or more stable employment, which would improve her future Social Security benefit calculations. Also, don't overlook that some part-time positions offer better hourly rates than minimum wage - remote customer service, data entry, or specialized skills she might develop could significantly boost those earnings within the same limited hours she can work.

I understand how stressful it must be to think about these scenarios, but you're being incredibly responsible by planning ahead. Having gone through the Social Security maze myself when my father passed, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help. First, when the time comes to apply for survivor benefits, try to have multiple copies of the death certificate ready - SSA will need an original, but other agencies (banks, insurance companies, etc.) will also need copies, and it can take weeks to get additional certified copies from the state. Second, I'd recommend documenting your husband's work history and any military service if applicable. Sometimes there are discrepancies in SSA records, and having your own documentation can help resolve issues faster. Also, consider that if your husband has any pension or 401k benefits with survivor options, those decisions need to be made now while he's healthy, not later. The Social Security survivor benefits are just one piece of your financial security puzzle. One last thing - if you do need to take survivor benefits before your full retirement age, remember that the earnings limit I mentioned earlier ($21,240 in 2025) gets adjusted annually for inflation, so the actual limit may be higher when you need it. You're asking all the right questions, and it sounds like you'll be in a much better position than many people who have to figure this out during the crisis itself.

I'm so sorry you're having to worry about this, but you're absolutely doing the right thing by planning ahead. I went through this with my mom when my stepdad passed away a few years ago. One thing that really helped us was understanding that you have up to 2 years to apply for any retroactive survivor benefits you might be owed, but it's much easier to apply sooner rather than later when all the paperwork and memories are fresh. Also, I'd suggest keeping a simple file with copies of both your Social Security cards, marriage certificate, and any divorce decrees from previous marriages (if applicable) in an easily accessible place. When my mom had to apply, the SSA agent told her that having the marriage certificate ready sped up the process significantly. The earnings limit that others mentioned is really important if you plan to keep working. But here's something encouraging - once you reach your full retirement age, any benefits that were withheld due to the earnings test are recalculated and added back into your monthly benefit amount going forward. So it's not actually "lost" money, just delayed. I hope you have many more years together, but having this knowledge will definitely give you peace of mind. You're being such a thoughtful planner!