I'm so sorry for your loss, Zoe. This is exactly the kind of situation where SSA's complexity really shows - you're dealing with grief while trying to navigate rules that even their own representatives sometimes get wrong. From reading through all the excellent advice here, it sounds like you have a solid plan forming. The RIB-LIM rule could potentially get you that higher survivor benefit amount (around $2,021 as Steven calculated), and the restricted application strategy could be perfect for your situation since you haven't claimed your own benefits yet. One thing I'd add to the great suggestions already given: when you go to the SSA office, consider asking them to provide you with a written breakdown of your options and the calculations they're using. Sometimes having it in writing helps catch errors and gives you something to reference later if you need to follow up. Also, don't feel pressured to make a decision immediately if the information feels overwhelming during your appointment. You can always ask for time to review your options, especially for something this important to your long-term financial security. The fact that you're asking these detailed questions and doing your research shows you're going to navigate this successfully. This community will be here to help interpret whatever information SSA gives you!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zoe. Dealing with Social Security survivor benefits while grieving is incredibly overwhelming, and you're asking exactly the right questions. From my own experience helping family members navigate this, the RIB-LIM rule that others mentioned is crucial for your situation. Since your husband claimed at 62, you're not stuck with just his reduced $1,750 amount. The calculation typically uses the higher of what he was receiving OR 82.5% of his Primary Insurance Amount (what he would have gotten at full retirement age). Based on your numbers ($2,450 PIA), that 82.5% would be around $2,021 - significantly more than the $1,750 he was actually receiving. Given that you're 65 and haven't claimed your own benefits yet, you have valuable flexibility. The restricted application strategy could work well - take survivor benefits while letting your own retirement benefit grow with delayed credits until age 70. My advice: Go to your local SSA office in person with all your documents and a written list of questions specifically mentioning RIB-LIM calculations and restricted applications. Phone representatives often don't know these specialized rules well. Don't let them rush you into a decision - this choice affects your financial security for life. Document everything, and please update us with what you learn. Your experience could help other widows facing this same confusing system.

I'm fairly new to this community but wanted to share what I learned during my own SSDI process. The CE at the Appeals Council stage is definitely unusual, but from what I've read and experienced, it often means they're seriously reviewing the case rather than just issuing a quick denial. One thing that really helped me was preparing a simple one-page summary before my CE that listed my conditions, medications, and specific daily limitations. I didn't bring it to show the doctor, but having organized my thoughts beforehand helped me give clearer, more consistent answers during the brief exam. Also, if your brother uses any adaptive techniques to get through daily tasks (like sitting on a stool while cooking, using a reacher to pick things up, taking frequent breaks), he should definitely mention these during the exam. These work-arounds actually demonstrate the extent of his limitations rather than showing he's "fine." The waiting and uncertainty is absolutely exhausting, but the fact that multiple specialists have provided detailed RFC forms supporting his claim should carry significant weight. Hoping this CE leads to the breakthrough your brother needs after fighting for so long. This community has been such a valuable resource for navigating this complicated process!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out with some encouragement. I went through a very similar situation with my SSDI case about 6 months ago - ALJ denial followed by an unusual CE order from the Appeals Council. I was terrified it meant they were just looking for more reasons to deny me, but it actually turned out to be the turning point in my case. The CE itself was pretty straightforward - about 20 minutes with basic physical tests and questions about daily functioning. What really mattered was being completely honest about my limitations without trying to minimize them out of embarrassment or pride. The doctor documented everything objectively, and that report ended up supporting my case when the AC remanded it back to a different ALJ. One thing I wish I'd known beforehand: take someone with you who can help observe your functioning that day. Sometimes we don't realize how much pain or difficulty we're showing because we've gotten so used to compensating. Having my spouse point out afterward how I was moving helped me understand what the doctor likely observed. The whole process took about 8 months from CE to final approval, but getting that remand was actually a relief - it meant they were taking my case seriously instead of just rubber-stamping the original denial. Your brother's case sounds very strong with all those specialist reports and RFC forms. Hang in there - this could be the breakthrough you've been waiting for after such a long fight.

One more thing to consider: While your daughter's total monthly benefit only increases slightly, there are some potential advantages to receiving survivor benefits: First, survivor benefits don't have the same strict disability reviews as SSI, so that's one less thing to worry about in the future. Second, survivor benefits typically have fewer reporting requirements than SSI. Third, survivor benefits have no resource limits, so your daughter could potentially have over $2,000 in savings (though this would affect the SSI portion). Lastly, if your daughter's condition improves to the point where she no longer qualifies as disabled for SSI, she could still receive survivor benefits until age 18 (or 19 if still in high school).

I'm so sorry for your loss and the confusion you're dealing with during an already difficult time. As others have explained, the offset is unfortunately how the system works, but I wanted to add a few practical tips that helped me when I went through something similar: 1. Request a written explanation from SSA detailing exactly how they calculated your daughter's benefits - having it in writing helps avoid the conflicting verbal information you've been getting. 2. For the backpay delay, ask specifically about "interim assistance" - sometimes they can provide partial payments while sorting out the full calculation. 3. Keep calling about the backpay every 2-3 weeks. I found that different reps had access to different information, and persistence eventually got results. 4. Consider contacting your local SSA field office directly rather than just the main phone line - they often have more detailed case information. The system is frustrating, but you're advocating well for your daughter. Don't give up on getting the backpay sorted out - it's rightfully hers.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Micah. Going through this while grieving is incredibly overwhelming. I wanted to add one more important detail that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you're receiving spousal child-in-care benefits, there are earnings limits you need to be aware of. For 2025, if you're under full retirement age, you can earn up to $23,400 before your benefits start getting reduced. They reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn over that limit. This is different from your children's benefits - their benefits aren't affected by your earnings, only yours are. It's worth factoring this into your work planning, especially since everyone's emphasizing how important it is to keep working. The SSA website has a calculator that can help you figure out how much you can earn without affecting your benefits. Just another layer of complexity in an already confusing system, but important to know about.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Micah. I went through this same confusion when my husband passed 3 years ago, leaving me with two kids. The terminology is absolutely maddening! Here's the simplest way I can explain it: Think of it as two separate benefit "buckets." Bucket 1: Your CHILDREN each get their own individual benefit (Child's Insurance Benefit) - this lasts until they're 18/19. Bucket 2: YOU get a benefit (Mother's/Father's Insurance Benefit) for taking care of kids under 16 - yours stops when your youngest hits 16. The reason SSA calls them both "child-in-care" benefits is because they're both triggered by having eligible children, but they're completely separate payments with different rules. What really helped me was getting a written breakdown from SSA showing exactly what each person in my family was getting and when each benefit would end. Don't be afraid to ask for this in writing - it makes planning so much easier than trying to remember verbal explanations. You're doing great navigating this impossible system while dealing with such a huge loss.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'll go ahead and apply in October for my January start date. It's a relief to know that SSA will automatically recalculate and make adjustments once my 2024 earnings are processed. I appreciate everyone sharing their personal experiences too - it makes navigating this whole process much less stressful!

Just wanted to add one more consideration - make sure you understand the timing of when your benefits actually start vs when you apply. Since your FRA is November 2024, you can start receiving full benefits then if you want, or delay until January 2025 as you mentioned. But remember that each month you delay past your FRA (up until age 70), you earn delayed retirement credits that increase your benefit by about 0.67% per month. So if you delay from November 2024 to January 2025, that's 2 months of delayed credits which would permanently increase your monthly benefit by about 1.33%. Just something to factor into your decision along with the automatic recomputation for your 2024 earnings!