As someone new to this community, I'm absolutely amazed by the incredible support and practical advice shared in this thread! @Hannah White, your situation is so frustrating but you've really struck gold finding this community - the collective wisdom here is incredible. I wanted to add one more potential approach that worked for my neighbor last year: if you have a local Senior Center or AARP office nearby, many of them have volunteers who specifically help people navigate SSA issues. They often have direct contacts or know the local field office staff personally, which can sometimes open doors that regular channels can't. Also, regarding the Congressional representative route that several people mentioned - this really is a game-changer! I helped my elderly father use this service for a Medicare issue, and I was shocked at how quickly they responded and resolved something he'd been struggling with for months. The fact that you've documented 7+ hours of hold time shows incredible persistence. Between all the strategies shared here - the specific phone menu paths, Congressional office, in-person visits, mail verification, and even that three-way call option - you definitely have multiple paths forward now. Really hoping one of these breaks through for you soon! Thank you to everyone who shared their hard-earned experience here. This is exactly the kind of real-world problem-solving that makes all the difference when dealing with bureaucratic nightmares.

I'm new to this community, but I had to join this conversation because this thread is absolutely incredible! @Hannah White, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - the two-factor authentication catch-22 is one of the most frustrating bureaucratic problems I've ever heard of. Reading through all the advice here, I'm blown away by how many alternative solutions exist that most people (including me) would never know about. The Congressional representative option seems like an absolute game-changer - I had no idea they helped with federal agency issues like this! And @Oliver Schmidt's three-way call verification process sounds like it could be perfect for your exact situation. What really impresses me is how this community has essentially created the most comprehensive SSA troubleshooting guide I've ever seen. Between the specific phone menu paths, timing strategies, local office tips, and backup verification methods, you now have multiple approaches to try simultaneously. Your persistence through 7+ hours of documented hold time is incredible, and honestly highlights how broken these systems can be for regular people just trying to access their own benefits. I'm bookmarking this entire thread because this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't find anywhere else. Really hoping one of these community-shared strategies breaks through for you soon - and thank you for starting a conversation that's clearly helping so many others facing similar challenges!

I'm new to this community and stumbled across your post while researching representative payee responsibilities myself. This thread has been incredibly informative! I just wanted to add that when I was first appointed as rep payee for my nephew, I made the mistake of mixing his benefits with my regular checking account thinking it would be simpler. Big mistake! The SSA representative strongly advised me to open a separate account specifically for his benefits to make tracking much easier. It also helps when tax time comes around because you can clearly see the deposits and withdrawals that belong to him versus your own finances. Some banks even offer special accounts for representative payees that come with better record-keeping features. Just thought I'd share this tip since it would have saved me a lot of stress if I'd known from the beginning!

As someone who's been a representative payee for my disabled brother for over 5 years, I can confirm what others have said - you're only taxed on YOUR caregiver benefits, not the money you manage for your son. The key thing that helped me was understanding that you're essentially acting as his "financial guardian" for that larger payment, not receiving it as your own income. One practical tip I wish someone had told me early on: when you get your SSA-1099 form, it might show the total of both payments, but you can call SSA to get a breakdown if needed. Also, consider meeting with a tax professional for your first filing as a rep payee - it's worth the cost for peace of mind and they can help you understand exactly what to report going forward. The record-keeping does seem overwhelming at first, but it becomes routine. I use a simple Excel sheet with monthly tabs tracking his expenses by category, and it makes the annual SSA-623 form much easier to complete. You're doing great by asking these questions early - shows you're taking the responsibility seriously!

Hi Anastasia! I'm also new to this community and wanted to congratulate you on your Social Security approval! What an exciting milestone to reach. I've been reading through all these incredibly detailed responses and I'm amazed by how much helpful information has been shared. As someone who's still about 5 years away from retirement, this entire conversation has been such a valuable learning experience. I had no idea about so many of these details - like how benefits are paid a month behind or the birth date payment schedule system. The advice about regularly checking your mySocialSecurity account seems particularly useful since it sounds like information often appears there before the physical mail arrives. And all the tips about keeping organized records and being prepared to review the award letter carefully for accuracy are exactly the kind of practical insights that are so valuable to know ahead of time. I hope your award letter arrives within the next couple of weeks as everyone has suggested, and that everything goes smoothly with your first payment in February. Thank you for asking such thoughtful questions that have helped educate all of us newcomers about this important process! This community really seems like an amazing resource for navigating these significant life transitions. Welcome, and best of luck with everything!

Hi Anastasia! Welcome to the community and congratulations on your Social Security approval! I'm also pretty new here and wanted to share my experience since I just went through something very similar. I applied for my benefits to start in November 2024 and got my approval letter about 6 weeks ago. Just like you, I was anxiously waiting for the award letter with the actual payment amount! Mine took exactly 18 days to arrive after the approval letter, and it showed up in my mySocialSecurity account about 4 days before the physical letter came in the mail. Since you're born on the 19th, you'll definitely be in that third Wednesday payment group starting in February. I'm born on the 23rd so I get paid on the fourth Wednesday, and I can confirm the payments are very reliable once they start. One thing I wish I had known - when the award letter comes, it will show your gross benefit amount at the top, but then list all the deductions below (Medicare Part B, any tax withholding, etc.). So the actual deposit amount might be a bit different from what you're expecting based on online calculators. Just something to keep in mind for your budgeting! The whole process feels overwhelming at first, but once you get that award letter and see your first payment, it becomes much more routine. Everyone here has given you such great advice already. This community has been incredibly helpful for navigating all these new retirement processes!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Mei. Losing a spouse is devastating, and dealing with SSA bureaucracy while grieving adds such an unfair burden to an already overwhelming time. Three weeks is absolutely the right time to follow up - you're being appropriately proactive, not pushy at all. When I helped my elderly neighbor with his survivor benefits last year, we found that calling right at 8 AM made a huge difference in wait times. One thing I'd add to all the excellent advice already given: when you call tomorrow, ask specifically about the "critical pay" or expedited processing option. Given that you've lost your husband's income and mentioned bills piling up, SSA does have procedures to prioritize financially urgent cases. You may need to speak with a supervisor or case manager to access this, but it's worth asking about. Also, since your husband was already on SSDI, make sure they confirm they have his complete disability file. Sometimes there can be delays if different parts of SSA need to coordinate records, even though it should be straightforward in your case. The retroactive payment you'll receive could be substantial by now - potentially $1,800+ with that $450 monthly increase. That should provide some meaningful relief once everything processes. Keep detailed notes of your conversation, and don't hesitate to ask for supervisor escalation if you don't get clear answers. You're handling this with remarkable strength during such a difficult time. Please update us after your call - your experience will help others facing similar situations.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Mei. Losing a spouse is one of life's most profound challenges, and having to navigate government bureaucracy while grieving makes an already difficult situation even more overwhelming. Three weeks is absolutely an appropriate time to follow up on your survivor benefits application - you're being responsible and proactive, not impatient. Reading through all the excellent advice in this thread, it's clear you have a solid plan for calling tomorrow at 8 AM. I wanted to add one suggestion based on a friend's recent experience: when you call, consider asking if they can provide you with a direct phone number or case worker contact for future follow-ups. Sometimes having a specific person or department to call back can save you from starting over with general customer service each time. Also, given the financial hardship you're experiencing after losing your husband's income, definitely ask about any expedited processing options available. The SSA does have procedures for urgent financial situations, and your circumstances may well qualify. The fact that your husband was already receiving SSDI should work in your favor since they have his earnings history and benefit information readily available. Once approved, that retroactive payment back to your application date - potentially several thousand dollars at this point - should provide meaningful relief from the financial pressure you're under. You're handling this incredibly difficult situation with such grace and determination. Please update us after your call when you're able - your experience will undoubtedly help others who find themselves in similar circumstances. This community is here to support you through this challenging time.

btw my aunt did get survivor benefits after my uncle died in prison. took almost 3 months to process tho so dont expect it right away if it happens. and she said they made her fill out extra forms but it worked out in the end

I want to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your husband does pass away while incarcerated, you'll need to apply for survivor benefits as soon as possible. There's no automatic conversion from your current retirement benefit to the higher survivor benefit. You'll need to contact SSA and specifically apply for widow's benefits. Also, make sure the prison has your current contact information so they can reach you if anything happens. The sooner you apply after a death, the sooner you can start receiving the higher benefit amount. Some people wait months or even years before applying, not realizing they need to take action. Don't let bureaucratic delays cost you money you're entitled to.