my sister got QI last yr and she got 2 payments in december just like theyre telling you! its normal

I went through this exact same thing when I got approved for QI about 6 months ago! The double payment in the transition month is totally normal - you're not getting overpaid. The SSA rep was right. What happens is your October benefit gets paid on November 27th (your old schedule), then your November benefit gets paid on December 3rd (your new schedule). After that, you'll just get payments on the 3rd each month. The payment date change happens because when you qualify for QI, SSA has to adjust how they process your account since the state is now handling your Part B premium instead of deducting it from your Social Security. It's just an administrative thing. Definitely keep that letter they sent you - it's your proof that this change was authorized. And like others mentioned, your payment amount should be higher now since they're not taking out the Part B premium anymore. Mine went up by the full premium amount and it's been smooth sailing ever since!

To answer your question about COLA timing: The official 2025 COLA will be announced in mid-October 2024 when the September 2024 CPI-W data is released. The increase (if any) will be applied to benefits beginning January 2025. You'll receive an official notice by mail in December 2024, and it will also appear in your my Social Security account in December if you have one set up. Based on current inflation trends, analysts are projecting a COLA between 2.5-3.1% for 2025, but that's just an estimate until the official announcement in October.

As someone new to Social Security benefits, this is really eye-opening and scary! I had no idea these phishing scams were so common. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and the detailed advice about protecting ourselves. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and share it with my parents who are also on SS. It's amazing how these scammers target people during COLA announcement periods when we're all naturally more anxious about our benefits. I'll make sure to only ever go directly to ssa.gov and never click email links. Stay safe everyone!

this is why i always tell people to use the local office!!! been trying to tell my sister this for MONTHS but she keeps trying to call...drives me crazy...glad u got thru finally!!!

Congratulations on finally getting through! That's such a relief after weeks of trying. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, I'd also recommend checking if your state has a SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor who can help with Social Security questions. They're free and sometimes have better connections or knowledge about navigating these complex benefit situations. Also, when you go to your appointment next Tuesday, don't forget to ask about whether you're eligible for any Medicare premium assistance programs - sometimes people with government pensions qualify for help with Part B premiums but don't know about it. Good luck with everything!

My husband just went thru this. Apply online but then call to make sure they got it right. They messed up his first calculation and he had to call like 5 times to get it fixed!!

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! This is really helpful. Based on what I'm reading, it sounds like there's some inconsistency in how different SSA offices are handling the WEP repeal implementation. Some people are getting it calculated correctly automatically, while others are having to fight for proper adjustments. I think I'll follow the advice about preparing a comprehensive spreadsheet of my work history and gathering all my documentation (W-2s from both covered and non-covered employment, pension statements) before I apply. I'm leaning toward applying in person at my local office rather than online, just so I can discuss the WEP situation directly with a specialist from the start. One quick question for those who've been through this recently - when you mention "substantial earnings," is that the same threshold SSA uses for quarters of coverage, or is there a different dollar amount that qualifies as "substantial" for WEP calculations?

Just wondering, have they given you blood thinners for life now? My uncle had PE last year and he's on permanent blood thinners. Does that affect your ability to work certain jobs? That might help your case since some jobs have higher injury risks when you're on anticoagulants.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - losing your job right after a medical emergency is devastating. As someone who works in disability advocacy, I want to emphasize that bilateral pulmonary embolism can absolutely qualify for SSDI, especially with your age working in your favor. The key is documenting not just the initial event but the ongoing limitations - shortness of breath, fatigue, exercise intolerance, and the bleeding risks from anticoagulants. Since you mentioned being on blood thinners, make sure your doctors document any work restrictions this creates. Many jobs become unsuitable when you're at increased bleeding risk. Also, PE often causes long-term pulmonary hypertension or chronic fatigue that may not show up immediately - keep detailed records of your symptoms and limitations. Given your tight financial situation, I'd suggest filing for both SSDI and early retirement simultaneously. The retirement benefits can provide immediate income while you wait for the SSDI decision. Don't let anyone tell you this hurts your SSDI case - it doesn't. You can always receive the higher benefit amount if disability is approved. Most importantly, get an attorney consultation ASAP. Many specialize in respiratory cases and offer free initial consultations. The 25% contingency fee is worth it for the expertise in presenting your case properly from day one.