Just throwing this out there - have u checked if ur state offers paid family leave? Some states like CA, NY, NJ have programs where u can get paid while taking care of a family member. Its not a ton of money but its something. Also check if his cancer treatment center has social workers - they often know about resources that regular people dont know exist.

I'm so sorry you and your husband are going through this difficult time. The financial stress on top of a cancer diagnosis must be overwhelming. Since others have covered the SSDI and spousal benefits well, I wanted to mention a few other resources that might help bridge the gap while you're waiting for benefits decisions: 1. CancerCare (cancercare.org) offers financial assistance grants specifically for cancer patients and their families. They can help with things like transportation, childcare, and home care costs. 2. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has a co-pay assistance program that might help with treatment costs, freeing up other funds for living expenses. 3. Many utility companies have hardship programs that can reduce or defer bills when someone in the household has a serious illness. Call each utility company directly to ask about their medical hardship programs. 4. Food banks and local churches often have emergency assistance funds for families dealing with medical crises. Don't hesitate to reach out - that's exactly what these programs are for. 5. GoFundMe or similar crowdfunding can sometimes help with immediate needs while waiting for official assistance. The combination of all these smaller helps can sometimes make a real difference while you're navigating the longer government processes. Wishing you and your husband strength during this challenging time.

I want to thank everyone for their insights. I'm going to go ahead and apply now, even though it looks like I might not get anything after the GPO reduction with my CSRS pension. At least I'll know for sure, and there's always the small chance there might be some special circumstance I'm not aware of that could result in a small benefit. Since there's no advantage to waiting longer, I might as well get an official determination.

Good luck with your application! I'd recommend calling SSA first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) to avoid the long hold times. Also, when you do apply, make sure you have all your documentation ready - your CSRS pension statement, marriage certificate, and your husband's Social Security information. Even if the GPO eliminates your spousal benefit, having an official determination letter can be helpful for tax purposes and other benefits you might be eligible for in the future.

After you get this sorted out, set a reminder for yourself each May to report any new COLA increases. That's what I do for my husband's pension. Just mark it on your calendar so you don't forget - dealing with an overpayment later is much more hassle than making a quick report each year!

This is such a common issue that catches people off guard! I went through something similar with my mom's state pension. Here's what I learned from our experience: 1. **Call the SSA field office directly** - don't use the 800 number if you can help it. They're much more knowledgeable about WEP cases. 2. **Bring ALL documentation** - pension statements showing the original amount and each COLA increase with dates. This makes the process much smoother. 3. **Ask about the "de minimis" rule** - sometimes very small pension increases don't actually change your WEP reduction if you're already at the maximum reduction amount. 4. **Request a benefit verification letter** after they update everything so you have proof of the correct benefit amount going forward. The good news is that most SSA offices are understanding when it's clearly an honest mistake and you're being proactive about fixing it. They deal with WEP confusion all the time. Don't panic - just get it sorted out as soon as you can!

did u try calling ur congressperson? my aunt had a problem with SS and she called her congressmans office and they fixed it in like 2 days

I'm really sorry you're going through this - it's such a stressful situation to be in. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you have several good options to pursue simultaneously: 1. File the formal appeals (SSA-561 and SSA-632 forms) as soon as possible - these seem to be the most direct path to getting your benefits restored while you're dealing with the overpayment issue. 2. Try that Claimyr service that Ethan mentioned to actually get through to a Claims Specialist who has the authority to adjust your withholding rate. The regular phone reps clearly don't have the same level of knowledge about these policies. 3. Request the detailed breakdown of how they calculated your overpayment amount - if there are any errors, that could significantly reduce what you owe. 4. Consider reaching out to your congressional representative's office for help - it's free and they have direct contacts at SSA who can often resolve these issues quickly. The key thing seems to be that you absolutely DO have the right to a reduced payment plan, but you need to get to the right person who knows the proper procedures. Don't let them tell you otherwise - the policy is clearly written that you can request reduced withholding for financial hardship. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself. This sounds like a bureaucratic mistake that can be fixed once you get to someone who knows what they're doing.

Since it hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand that Social Security benefits might be partially taxable depending on your combined income. If your provisional income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + 1/2 of Social Security benefits) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 85% of your benefits could be subject to federal income tax.With your unemployment benefits, any part-time work, and your husband's income, you might hit these thresholds, so it's worth factoring that into your calculations.

Just want to add a perspective as someone who's been through this recently - I filed for SS at 64 after being laid off, similar to your situation. The key thing that helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet comparing my monthly cash flow under different scenarios (unemployment only vs unemployment + reduced SS vs waiting for FRA). Given that your husband is still working and has multiple pensions coming, you have more flexibility than someone who's completely on their own. The 12% reduction sounds scary, but if you need the income now and your husband will likely have good benefits later, it might be worth the peace of mind. Plus, unemployment benefits are temporary - only 26 weeks in most states. One thing I wish I'd known: even though you can withdraw your SS application within 12 months, it's not as simple as just changing your mind. You have to repay EVERYTHING including any Medicare premiums that were deducted, and the paperwork takes time. So really think through your decision before filing. Good luck with whatever you decide! Being laid off at our age is stressful enough without having to navigate all these government systems.