One thing no one mentioned - if your daughter qualifies for SSI, she might be eligible for subsidized housing which could help with your living situation. There are often long waiting lists but some areas prioritize disabled applicants. Just something to look into while you're working on the SSI application.

I'm so sorry you and your daughter are going through this difficult situation. As someone who navigated the SSI process with a family member, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help: 1. Document everything NOW - keep a daily log of her symptoms, episodes, and how they affect her daily functioning. This becomes crucial evidence later. 2. When you do get her to a psychiatrist, ask them specifically about completing a "Medical Source Statement" or RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) form - these carry significant weight in disability decisions. 3. Consider reaching out to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in your area - they often have support groups for families and can connect you with local resources you might not know about. 4. If she's had any emergency room visits for mental health crises, those records can be valuable documentation even if they're older. The waiting and uncertainty is exhausting, but don't give up. Many people with bipolar disorder do qualify for SSI, especially when it significantly impacts their ability to work consistently. You're doing the right thing by advocating for her.

One other important thing to know: If you're eligible for survivor benefits before your own retirement (say your husband passed when you were 60), you could claim REDUCED survivor benefits at 60, let your own retirement benefit continue growing, and then switch to your own benefit at 70 if it would be higher than the survivor benefit. Or the reverse: You could take your own reduced retirement benefit at 62 and then switch to the full survivor benefit at your full retirement age. This is one of the few scenarios where you can still switch between benefit types after the rules changed in 2015. The key is comparing the two amounts and understanding how claiming early reduces benefits permanently. These calculations get complicated, which is why discussing your specific situation with SSA is so important.

Just wanted to add one more consideration that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're divorced from a previous marriage that lasted 10+ years, you might also be eligible for survivor benefits based on your ex-husband's record if he passes away, even if he remarried. You can't collect both your current husband's survivor benefits AND ex-husband's survivor benefits simultaneously, but SSA will pay whichever is higher. This could potentially give you another option to consider when planning your retirement strategy. It's worth mentioning to SSA when you discuss your situation since they can help you understand all your potential benefit sources.

Well EXCUSE ME for trying to help!!!!! I was just saying she should look into ALL options!!!! Some people have very little in savings after a spouse dies!!!! 🙄

I'm so sorry for your loss, Miguel. Losing a spouse suddenly is devastating, and navigating the benefits system while grieving makes it even harder. Based on what others have shared, here's a quick summary to help you plan: **Your options:** - Age 60: Reduced survivor benefits (about 71.5% of his full amount) - Age 67: Full survivor benefits (100% of what he would have received) **Key things to remember:** - The reduction is permanent if you claim early - You can't collect both survivor and your own retirement benefits simultaneously - Since you have some work credits, you might benefit from the "claim one, switch later" strategy others mentioned **Next steps I'd suggest:** 1. Check your Social Security statement online (ssa.gov/myaccount) to see your exact work credits 2. Get an estimate of both your potential survivor benefit and your own retirement benefit 3. Consider whether you can work part-time now to build up more credits The strategy Liam and Amara mentioned about claiming survivor benefits at 60 then potentially switching to your own benefit later (if higher) could be really valuable in your situation. Hang in there - you've got this! 💙

That's exactly right. You've got all the key points. Just remember that you have flexibility - you can switch between your own retirement benefit and the survivor benefit depending on which is higher at different points in time. That's a planning opportunity many people miss.

One thing I'd add for your planning - consider consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security strategies before making any decisions. The rules are complex and there might be filing strategies that could maximize your benefits over time. For example, if your husband is still working and hasn't filed yet, there could be opportunities to coordinate your claiming strategies. Also, keep good records of all your Social Security statements and communications - as others have mentioned, getting accurate information can be challenging, so having documentation helps. It's smart that you're thinking about this now while you have time to plan rather than during a crisis.

Thank you all for the helpful responses. I'm going to try to get through to SSA this week and specifically ask about the RIB-LIM calculation and restricted application strategy. If I can't get through, I'll try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. I'll update once I know more in case it helps someone else in the future.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Zoe. This is such a difficult time to have to navigate these complex benefit rules. From what I understand, you may actually be entitled to more than the $1,750 your husband was receiving due to the RIB-LIM (Retirement Insurance Benefit - Limited) provision that others mentioned. The key thing to remember is that as a widow, you have unique flexibility in timing your claims. You can claim survivor benefits now and switch to your own later, or vice versa. Given your ages and benefit amounts, it sounds like the restricted application strategy could work well for you - taking survivor benefits while letting your own benefit grow until 70. I'd strongly recommend getting this sorted out soon though, not just because of the 60-day retroactive window, but because having a clear plan will give you peace of mind during this difficult time. Make sure to ask specifically about the RIB-LIM calculation and how it applies to your situation when you speak with SSA. Keep us updated on what you find out - your experience could really help other widows navigating this same confusing system.