one other thing about the special needs kids - make sure you look into setting up a special needs trust if you havent already. if they qualify for SSI (not SSDI) when they're adults then having assets in their name could disqualify them. my sister's kid lost benefits for 6 months because of this!!

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share what I learned from a similar situation. I had to navigate survivor benefits with special needs children too, and one thing that really helped was getting everything documented early. For the disability determination process, start collecting medical records NOW - not just recent ones, but going back to when their disabilities were first diagnosed. The SSA looks for evidence that the disability began before age 22, so having that complete medical timeline is crucial. Also, don't overlook vocational rehabilitation services. My state's VR program helped my special needs son get job training that actually INCREASED his allowable work activity under SSA rules, which meant he could earn some income without losing benefits. One more tip - if you decide to use a service like Claimyr to get through to SSA faster, make sure you have all your documents ready (marriage certificates, death certificates, kids' SSNs, medical records) before you call. They can run scenarios quickly if you have everything at hand. Good luck with this complex situation - it's overwhelming but you'll get through it!

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is exactly the kind of confusing situation that adds unnecessary stress during an already difficult time. Based on what others have explained about Social Security's payment timing, it sounds like you're absolutely entitled to keep that March payment since your father was alive for the entire month it covers. I went through something similar with my mother-in-law, and the key thing I learned is to document everything carefully. Keep records of when you report the death to SSA, save any confirmation numbers they give you, and consider keeping a simple log of all the steps you take. This not only protects you legally but also helps you stay organized when you're grieving and everything feels overwhelming. That $2,350 can definitely help with funeral costs - you've got enough to worry about without adding financial stress on top of everything else.

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is an incredibly stressful situation to navigate while you're grieving. I want to echo what others have said - that March payment that arrived on April 15th is legitimately part of your father's estate. Social Security pays benefits the month after they're earned, so that payment was for March when your father was alive the entire month. One thing I'd suggest is calling SSA first thing in the morning (8 AM sharp) when wait times are typically shorter. When you do get through, ask them to walk you through exactly what happens next and request they send you written confirmation that the death has been properly recorded in their system. This gives you documentation for the estate records. That $2,350 can absolutely be used for funeral expenses - you have enough to deal with right now without worrying about money that rightfully belongs to the estate. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

Just to clarify one more thing - the monthly earnings limit only applies to the first year you receive benefits. In 2026 and beyond, they'll use the annual test until you reach your full retirement age of 67. Also, remember that the earnings limit only applies to wages and self-employment income. It doesn't count pensions, investments, interest, annuities, capital gains or other government benefits. And once you hit your FRA, there's no earnings limit at all.

Just wanted to add one more important point - make sure you apply for benefits about 3 months before you want them to start (so around March for June benefits). This gives SSA time to process your application and ensures your first payment arrives on time. When you apply online or in person, there's a specific question about when you plan to retire - that's where you'll indicate June 2025. The system should automatically apply the monthly earnings test for your first year. Also keep documentation of your final day of work in case you ever need to prove your retirement date later on.

I've been through this exact nightmare with my brother. The DAC benefits are worth fighting for though. Have you followed up with the congressional office recently? They can request something called a "congressional inquiry status report" which forces SSA to provide updates. In our case, we found out the application was just sitting on someone's desk for MONTHS with no action. Also, don't forget to ask about retroactive benefits. Since your application has been pending for a year, they should backpay from the application date. Make sure they don't try to reset the clock because of their error!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare. As someone who works with disability advocates, I've seen the "deceased" error cause massive delays because it corrupts multiple database entries that need to be manually corrected across different SSA systems. A few additional suggestions beyond what others have mentioned: 1. Request a "case summary printout" from SSA showing all actions taken on your daughter's file since the original application. This will help you identify where exactly the process stalled. 2. Ask specifically if the DAC application is in "pending status" or if it needs to be resubmitted due to the death record error. Sometimes these errors require starting over completely. 3. Contact your state's Protection & Advocacy organization - they specialize in disability rights and often have direct contacts within SSA who can expedite complex cases like yours. 4. Document everything with timestamps. Create a log of every phone call, letter, and interaction. This becomes crucial evidence if you need to escalate further. The fact that your daughter has 33 years of established SSI history should work in your favor - there's no question about her disability status. The holdup is likely purely administrative at this point. Hang in there. These cases do eventually get resolved, especially with congressional pressure.

Hey Mateo! I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the SSA main number (1-800-772-1213) early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) and kept pressing 0 to get to a human. It took several tries, but I eventually got through to someone who walked me through the new verification process. They can do identity verification over the phone now using a series of questions about your credit history and past addresses. Also, make sure you have your most recent SSA statement handy - they'll ask for specific info from it. Don't give up! The system is messy right now but there are ways through it.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! It's been such a headache since they stopped using ID.me. I tried calling multiple times but kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. Reading through these comments, I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy and see if I can get the phone verification process. Also thinking about reaching out to my congressperson's office like Giovanni suggested - didn't even know that was an option. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it's helpful to know I'm not alone in this mess!