After calling literally 47 TIMES over 3 days trying to get an update on my disability review, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through in under an hour. If your sister needs to actually speak to someone at SSA about her case status, it's worth checking out. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Also - make sure she checks her online mySocialSecurity account DAILY! Sometimes they'll request additional info and only give a short window to respond, and the mailed notices often arrive AFTER the deadline!

I'm going through a similar situation with my dad who had a stroke at 59. Just wanted to add that if your sister is having trouble with daily activities, make sure that's well documented by her doctors too - not just the medical diagnosis but the functional limitations. SSA really looks at how the condition affects her ability to work and perform daily tasks. Also, regarding the house sale - we were in the same boat and our disability lawyer told us to go ahead with the sale since SSDI doesn't have asset limits. Just keep all the paperwork in case you need it later. The stress of maintaining a home she can't manage isn't worth it, especially when dealing with stroke recovery. Hang in there - the waiting is the worst part but stroke cases often have good outcomes if the medical evidence is strong.

This is such helpful information! I've been researching Social Security timing for my own situation (turning 62 next year) and this thread has clarified so many things I wasn't sure about. The monthly proration of DRCs is really important to understand - it gives people much more flexibility than having to wait full years. One thing I'd add is that your sister might want to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov if she hasn't already. She can see her estimated benefits at different claiming ages, which might help with the decision. The online calculator shows exactly how much her benefit would increase for each month she delays past FRA. Also, given her health concerns, she might want to factor in spousal benefits if she's married. Even if her own longevity is uncertain, a higher benefit amount could benefit her spouse later through survivor benefits.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in retirement planning - this is a really thoughtful question and the advice here has been spot on! The monthly proration of DRCs is definitely one of the most misunderstood aspects of Social Security timing. One additional consideration for your sister: if she's concerned about health issues, she might also want to think about whether she has other sources of retirement income. If she has a good pension or significant 401k/IRA savings, she might be in a better position to delay Social Security for those extra DRCs. But if Social Security will be a major portion of her retirement income and she's worried about her health, claiming at FRA might give her more peace of mind. Also, just a heads up - if she does decide to wait the 6 months, she should mark her calendar to file in July 2025 and not delay the actual application. As others mentioned, you don't want to accidentally lose months of payments due to application delays. The SSA processes applications pretty quickly these days, but it's still good to file promptly once you've made your decision. Hope this helps with her planning!

Not to be negative but people need to be realistic about how long this whole process takes! My mom applied for divorced spouse benefits and it took SEVEN MONTHS to get approved, then another 2 months for payments to start. And they DIDNT give her all the backpay they owed her!!! She's still fighting to get the missing 3 months they owe her. The SSA is overwhelmed and understaffed so tell your sister to be prepared for a long wait.

I'm going through something similar right now! I'm 58, on SSDI, and just found out my ex-husband is now 63. We were married for 12 years before divorcing 8 years ago. I called SSA last month to ask about this and the representative told me I could apply immediately since he's over 62 and we've been divorced more than 2 years. She explained that even though I'm on disability, I can still get divorced spouse benefits if they're higher than my current SSDI amount. The good news is there's no reduction for my age like there would be for regular retirement benefits - the disability protects against that early filing penalty. I submitted my application 3 weeks ago and I'm still waiting to hear back, but at least I know the process has started. Your sister should definitely apply as soon as possible - even if it takes months to process, any increase would be retroactive to when she first became eligible. Make sure she has certified copies of both the marriage certificate and divorce decree ready!

Tell her to get a benefit verification letter from her online my Social Security account first. She'll need that when applying for the spousal portion. Also, if she does qualify for a spousal top-up, they might owe her back pay from when her husband filed, but only if she applies within 6 months of his filing date.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help your sister-in-law - when she does get through to SSA, she should ask them to run what's called a "dual entitlement" calculation. This will show her exactly what she's eligible for under both her own SSDI record and as a spouse on her husband's record. Also, if the first agent she speaks with seems unsure about the rules for disabled spouses, don't be afraid to politely ask to speak with someone else or call back. The rules around SSDI + spousal benefits are more complex and not all front-line agents are familiar with them. I've found that being specific about what you're asking for ("dual entitlement calculation for a disabled spouse") helps get you connected to someone who knows the process. Good luck to her - hope she's able to get some additional benefits!

Update: I finally got through to SSA this morning! I took the advice about calling right when they open (7 AM in my time zone) and only waited about 20 minutes. The representative confirmed I'm not too late for January benefits and helped me submit my application. She did transfer me to a specialist for my WEP/GPO questions, and I learned my survivor benefit will be reduced by about $570 due to my husband's government pension. Not great news, but at least I know what to expect now. Thank you all for your help and suggestions! What a relief to have this submitted finally.

Congratulations on getting through, Laura! That's such a relief after all the frustration you've been dealing with. The early morning call strategy really does work - I've had success with that approach too. Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread: if you're dealing with WEP/GPO calculations, it's worth double-checking the math when you get your award letter. The government pension offset can be complex, especially when there are multiple pension sources or if the pension amount changes over time. Also, keep copies of everything related to your husband's pension records - SSA sometimes requests additional documentation months later to verify the offset calculations. Having it ready can save you from delays in your payments. Great job persisting through this process! January will be here before you know it.