As someone completely new to this community and the SSA system, I'm absolutely horrified reading about your 5+ hour hold ordeal! The fact that they can just leave you hanging after closing time is beyond cruel. But this thread has been incredibly valuable - the insider advice from Brady about "critical payment" requests and all the Congressional intervention success stories have given me real hope that there are ways to fight this broken system. PrinceJoe, I really hope you finally hung up and got some rest after that marathon torture session! Your 90+ day backpay delay is exactly what Congressional representatives are designed to help with. The strategy everyone has outlined seems perfect: call at exactly 8 AM tomorrow asking specifically for "critical payment" assistance, while also contacting your representative's office since you're way past normal timeframes. It's absolutely maddening that we have to become bureaucratic ninjas just to access our own earned benefits, but this community has armed you with proven tactics from people who've actually won these battles. Thank you to everyone for turning this nightmare into actionable solutions - this thread should be pinned as a resource for others facing SSA phone hell!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely appalled by what you've been through - 5+ hours on hold only to be abandoned after closing time is just inhumane! Reading through all these incredible responses has been more educational than anything I've ever gotten from SSA directly. The strategic advice from Brady about the "critical payment" designation and all the Congressional intervention success stories give me real hope that there are actually effective ways to navigate this nightmare system. PrinceJoe, please tell me you finally hung up and got some well-deserved rest! Your situation at 90+ days is exactly what Congressional representatives are equipped to handle. The dual approach seems bulletproof: hit that 8 AM call tomorrow with the "critical payment" request while simultaneously contacting your representative's office since you're way beyond normal processing times. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become tactical experts just to access benefits we've paid into our entire working lives, but this amazing community has given you a proven battle plan from people who've actually succeeded. Thank you everyone for turning this frustrating experience into hope and actionable solutions - this thread is going to help so many others trapped in SSA phone purgatory!

As a newcomer to both this community and Social Security benefits in general, I'm finding this thread incredibly valuable! I'm still several years away from needing to make decisions about survivor vs. retirement benefits, but I'm already learning so much from everyone's shared experiences. What really stands out to me is how this conversation demonstrates the importance of doing your homework before making the switch. The fact that you can't reverse the decision once you switch from survivor to retirement benefits is a crucial detail that I definitely wouldn't have known to research on my own. I'm also taking notes on all the practical preparation tips: verifying benefit amounts first through your mySocialSecurity account, having banking information ready, allowing plenty of uninterrupted time for the online application, and being prepared for a potential follow-up phone call. It sounds like while most people can start the process online successfully, having backup plans (early morning phone calls, in-person appointments, or alternative connection services) is smart given the variability in everyone's experiences. Thank you all for being so generous with your real-world insights - this kind of peer-to-peer guidance is exactly what makes navigating these complex government systems feel more manageable. As someone just starting to learn about Social Security, I really appreciate this supportive community environment!

As a newcomer to this community and someone who's just starting to understand Social Security benefits, I wanted to express my gratitude for this incredibly informative discussion! Reading through everyone's experiences has been so much more educational than trying to navigate the SSA website alone. I'm particularly grateful for the emphasis on checking your benefit amounts BEFORE making the switch - the fact that this decision is permanent and irreversible is something I never would have thought to research on my own. The practical tips about preparation (having documents ready, banking info, uninterrupted time for the online application) are exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes these complex processes feel more manageable. What I find most reassuring is seeing how this community provides both the standard process (start online, expect potential phone follow-up) and multiple backup strategies for when things don't go smoothly. Whether it's calling at 8 AM for shorter wait times, getting help at the library, or using alternative services to reach SSA representatives, it's clear there are paths to success even when the primary method hits obstacles. As someone new to navigating government benefits, I'm taking detailed notes from this thread for future reference. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment where people feel comfortable sharing both their successes and their frustrations - this peer-to-peer guidance is invaluable!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly impressed by the depth of knowledge and support shown in this thread! Dylan, your situation really highlights how complex these benefit transitions can be, but it's clear from everyone's responses that you're on the right track with your planning. What's particularly valuable is seeing how many people have shared real outcomes from their own SSI to DAC transitions - the consistent theme that people often end up in better financial positions with more opportunities is really reassuring. The practical roadmap everyone has created here (BPQY reports, WIPA counselors, protective filing dates, concurrent benefits) turns what could be an overwhelming process into manageable steps. I'm also struck by how many protective programs and resources exist that aren't widely known - from ABLE accounts to 1619(b) Medicaid protections to state-specific supplemental programs. It really emphasizes how important communities like this are for sharing information that can make such a significant difference in people's lives. Best of luck with your transition planning, Dylan! With all the excellent guidance you've received here, it sounds like you and your daughter are going to be in great shape.

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who works in disability advocacy, I'm amazed by the quality of information and real-world experiences shared here. Dylan, you've received some of the best practical guidance I've seen on SSI to DAC transitions. I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - many Area Agencies on Aging have Benefits Counselors who specialize in exactly these types of transitions when parents are approaching retirement. They often work closely with the disability community and can help coordinate between SSA, state agencies, and care providers like group homes. Since you're turning 69, you might qualify for their services even if your daughter is the primary beneficiary of the transition. Also, kudos to everyone who shared their personal experiences - Connor, Dmitry, NightOwl42, and others. These real stories of successful transitions with better outcomes are exactly what families need to hear. The fear around these changes is so common, but as this thread shows, the protections really do work and often lead to improved situations. Dylan, it sounds like you have an excellent plan now. Your proactive approach is going to serve you and your daughter well!

Just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I'm a newcomer here but have been lurking and reading through all these comments - this community has provided more useful information than hours of searching the SSA website. My statement has also been stuck on "being processed" for about 4 weeks now. My SSN ends in 15, so based on @Mateo Hernandez's batch processing explanation, I should be in the 10-19 group that was likely already processed. This makes me think I might need to call in rather than wait, since mine should have been in one of the earlier batches. Has anyone else whose SSN falls in the early groups (00-29) had success calling the technical support line? I'm planning to try the 8-10am window that was mentioned. Thanks again to everyone for sharing - this thread should honestly be pinned somewhere as a resource!

New member here but this thread has been a lifesaver! I've been dealing with the exact same "being processed" issue for about 5 weeks now and was starting to panic. My SSN ends in 06, so according to the batch processing info from @Mateo Hernandez, I should have been in the very first group (00-09) that was processed. Since mine still isn't showing up after all this time, I'm thinking there might be a specific issue with my account that needs manual review. Planning to call the technical support line tomorrow morning during that 8-10am window. Has anyone else in the early SSN groups (00-09) successfully gotten their statement resolved by calling? I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - this community has provided way better information and support than any official SSA communication!

I'm also approaching 65 and this entire thread has been absolutely eye-opening! Like so many others here, I was completely unaware that the retirement landscape had changed so dramatically from what our parents experienced. I was all set to start Social Security at 65 thinking it was just the standard thing to do. The information about needing to select July for a June 28th birthday makes perfect sense now - you have to be 65 for the entire month to be eligible for benefits that month. But honestly, the bigger revelation has been learning about the 13% permanent reduction for taking benefits before Full Retirement Age of 67. That's a huge amount of money to lose over a lifetime! What I find most valuable is the advice about separating Medicare enrollment from Social Security timing. I had no idea these were independent decisions - I thought everything had to happen at once when you turned 65. Knowing I can enroll in Medicare to avoid penalties while taking more time to decide on Social Security timing is such a relief. I'm definitely going to spend time with that SSA retirement estimator tool before making any moves. After reading all these personal experiences and professional insights, it's clear this decision deserves much more careful consideration than I was giving it. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge - this discussion has probably saved me from making a very expensive mistake!

I'm turning 65 in a few months and this entire discussion has been incredibly enlightening! Like so many others here, I was planning to start Social Security at 65 thinking that was still the standard retirement age. Reading through all these expert responses has completely changed my understanding. For your June 28th birthday question, everyone's right that you should select July since you need to be 65 for the entire month to be eligible. But the bigger takeaway from all this advice is really considering whether to take benefits at 65 at all given the 13% permanent reduction. I had no idea that Medicare and Social Security were separate programs that could be handled independently. Being able to enroll in Medicare at 65 while delaying Social Security until Full Retirement Age (or even later) seems like such a smart strategy that I wish was more widely known. The SSA retirement estimator tool that multiple people mentioned sounds like a must-use resource. After seeing the financial impact that early filing can have over a lifetime, it's clear this decision deserves much more careful analysis than just assuming 65 is the right time. Thanks to all the SSA professionals, financial advisors, and people who shared their personal experiences - this thread has been more helpful than anything I've found on official websites!