This whole system is DELIBERATELY complicated. They make it impossible to navigate so people give up. My daughter lost benefits for 8 months because of contradictory information from SSA. We finally got a lawyer who specializes in disability benefits and suddenly everything got fixed. Had to pay for the lawyer but it was worth it because we got backdated benefits. The government agencies work against disabled people, not for them.

I'm going through something similar with my disabled son and want to add a few things that might help. First, definitely appeal the SSI termination in writing within 60 days if you haven't already - this preserves your right to continued benefits during the appeal process. For the Pickle Amendment, each state has different application processes. In my state (California), I had to apply through the county social services office, not directly through SSA. The key is proving you were receiving both SSI and Medicaid before the COLA increase caused the loss of SSI eligibility. Also, document EVERYTHING. I keep a log of every phone call with dates, times, and the name of who I spoke with. When workers give conflicting information (which happens constantly), I ask them to put it in writing or send me to a supervisor. One more tip: If your daughter is receiving survivor benefits on your late husband's record, those benefits might actually be higher than what she'd get from SSI when she becomes an adult through the Childhood Disability Benefits program. Sometimes the transition actually works in your favor financially, even though losing your own benefits at 16 is scary. Hang in there - this system is brutal but there are people who will help you navigate it properly.

UPDATE: I finally got some traction! After mentioning the "Administrative Unfreezing" procedure that someone suggested here, the SSA supervisor knew exactly what I was talking about. She's submitted the request to the Payment Center and said it should be processed within 10 business days. She also put a temporary hold on the collection notices while this is being resolved. My state senator's office also called and said they've assigned a caseworker who will follow up next week to make sure everything is progressing. Thank you all for your suggestions and support. This has been such a stressful situation on top of grieving my mother.

I'm so sorry for your loss and the additional stress this bureaucratic nightmare has caused during an already difficult time. It's encouraging to see you're making progress with the Administrative Unfreezing procedure and congressional involvement! For anyone else who might face this situation in the future, it seems like the key lessons are: 1. Know the specific terminology ("Administrative Unfreezing") when speaking with SSA 2. Request to speak with supervisors who are familiar with these complex cases 3. Don't hesitate to contact your congressional representative's constituent services office early in the process 4. Document everything with names, dates, and reference numbers 5. Work with the bank's legal department rather than just branch managers Your experience shows how important it is for this community to share specific procedural knowledge that can help families navigate these systems during already stressful times. Thank you for taking the time to update us on your progress - it will definitely help others who find themselves in similar situations.

question - does anyone know if its different if ur spouse was already getting disability before they passed? thats my situation

I can add some clarity here based on my experience helping clients navigate survivor benefits. Yes, COLA increases absolutely apply to survivor benefit amounts while you're waiting to claim - this is codified in the Social Security Act and happens automatically each January. What's particularly important for your situation at age 57 is understanding the "step-up" in benefits. Since you're considering waiting until 60 or later, each year's COLA will compound, meaning you're not just getting inflation protection, but actually building on previous increases. Here's a practical example: If your survivor benefit at age 60 would be $2,000 today, and we see 3% COLA increases over the next 3 years, that same benefit would be approximately $2,185 when you turn 60. The mathematical advantage of waiting becomes even more compelling when you factor in these guaranteed increases. One strategic consideration many people miss: survivor benefits don't earn delayed retirement credits past your full retirement age (unlike your own retirement benefits which grow 8% per year until age 70). So there's no benefit to waiting past your FRA to claim survivor benefits - that's typically the sweet spot for maximizing this benefit type.

Just to add a bit more clarity: when I went through something similar, I confirmed that inheritance money doesn't count against the Social Security earnings test. In 2025, if you're under FRA, the earnings limit is around $22,320 (they adjust it annually for inflation). But again, this only applies to earned income from work, not money from inheritance, investments, or other unearned sources. You should be completely fine receiving your full inheritance without any impact on your Social Security retirement benefits.

I'm sorry for your loss, Chloe. Losing both parents within a year must have been incredibly difficult. The good news is that everyone here is absolutely right - your inheritance won't affect your Social Security retirement benefits at all. I went through something similar when my father passed and left me his property. The key thing to remember is that Social Security only looks at "earned income" (wages, salary, self-employment income) when applying the earnings test for early retirees. Inheritances, along with pensions, investment income, and other "unearned income" don't count toward that limit. You can receive your $137,000 inheritance and continue getting your full Social Security benefits without any reduction. Just make sure your tax preparer properly categorizes it as an inheritance on your tax returns, and you'll be all set. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

Just wanted to say thx for asking this question, im in almost the same boat (self employed, turning 65 next yr) and was confused about the same thing!

As someone who went through this exact situation with my spouse last year, I can confirm what others have said - you definitely report the EXPECTED 2025 income, not 2024. The SSA application specifically asks for estimated earnings for the year you'll be receiving benefits. A few things that helped us: - Write a brief explanation letter to include with your application detailing the business transition and how you calculated the $23K estimate - Keep monthly records once benefits start - even a simple calendar noting work days/hours - Consider the timing advice others mentioned about scheduling work after his 65th birthday in June when the earnings limit increases One thing I wish someone had told us: if his income ends up being significantly different from the estimate (more than a few thousand), contact SSA proactively rather than waiting for them to discover it during their annual review. It makes the adjustment process much smoother. The earnings test can seem scary but remember - any benefits withheld due to excess earnings get added back to your monthly benefit amount once you reach FRA, so it's not truly "lost" money, just delayed.