Great to hear people are starting to receive their paper forms! For those still waiting, I'd recommend checking your MySocialSecurity account settings to make sure your mailing address is current. Sometimes delays happen because forms get sent to old addresses. You can update your address online and it should take effect for future mailings. Also, if you moved recently and filed a change of address with the postal service, that should forward your SSA-1099 to your new address automatically.

Just wanted to add that if you're missing your SSA-1099 and need to file your taxes urgently, you can also request a replacement form online through your MySocialSecurity account once the online forms become available (after January 31st). There's an option to print a duplicate copy immediately. I had to do this a few years ago when my original got lost in the mail, and it worked perfectly. The replacement has all the same information and is accepted by the IRS just like the original. Much faster than waiting for them to mail another paper copy!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable for understanding the DAC application process! As a newcomer who just discovered this community, I'm amazed by how much practical knowledge everyone has shared. I'm 61 and planning to file for early retirement next year, with a 25-year-old son who has been on SSI since age 18 due to severe epilepsy. Reading through all these experiences has helped me realize there are so many aspects of this transition I hadn't considered - especially the family maximum calculations and the potential Medicaid coverage gaps. The advice about gathering documentation early really resonates with me. My son has been seeing the same neurologist since he was 16, and we have comprehensive seizure logs and medication records that should clearly establish his disability timeline. I'm also going to request his high school IEP records based on the suggestions here. One quick question for this knowledgeable group: has anyone dealt with DAC applications where the adult child's disability is episodic like epilepsy? I'm wondering if SSA requires additional documentation about seizure frequency and control, or if the existing disability determination from his SSI application will be sufficient for establishing the DAC eligibility. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative community - the guidance here is far more detailed and practical than anything I've found through official channels!

Welcome to the community! This thread has been incredibly educational for me as well. I'm 59 and planning to file for retirement benefits when I turn 62 next year, and I have a 28-year-old daughter with autism who's been receiving SSI since she was 19. Reading through everyone's experiences has really opened my eyes to how complex the DAC application process can be, but also how beneficial it could be for our children. The detailed explanations about family maximum calculations and the various documentation strategies have been invaluable. One thing I wanted to add that might help other newcomers: I've been keeping a detailed folder of all my daughter's medical and educational records for years, not necessarily thinking about future benefit applications, but just as a general practice. After reading this thread, I realize how much this organizational habit is going to help when we start the DAC application process. For parents of younger disabled children who might be reading this, I'd strongly recommend starting that documentation organization early - even if retirement and DAC benefits seem far away, having everything chronologically organized and easily accessible makes such a difference. The community knowledge shared here is truly remarkable. Thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences and guidance - it's making what seemed like an overwhelming process feel much more manageable!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful to have found this incredibly detailed thread! Reading through your entire journey with the SSA application process has been so educational - from that initial frustration with the missing signature box to all the technical troubleshooting that finally led to success. What strikes me most is how this demonstrates both the challenges of government digital services and the power of community support. The fact that you needed to become a browser compatibility expert just to apply for benefits you've earned through decades of work really highlights how much these systems need improvement, especially for accessibility. But seeing how everyone contributed solutions - from the direct iClaim link and browser fixes to creative alternatives like library computers and congressional representative contacts - shows how valuable community knowledge-sharing can be. This thread has essentially become a comprehensive troubleshooting guide that's more useful than most official help documentation! Your persistence through all those technical barriers, especially while dealing with vision challenges, is truly inspiring. Congratulations on finally getting your application submitted and securing those retroactive benefits - you definitely earned them! This thread is going straight to my bookmarks as an invaluable resource for anyone facing similar SSA challenges. Thank you for sharing your experience and helping create what's become an essential guide for navigating these frustrating but important government processes!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely blown away by how this thread has become such an invaluable resource for SSA application issues! Reading through your entire journey - from that initial frustrating search for the signature box to finally getting your application successfully submitted - has been both incredibly educational and genuinely inspiring. What really resonates with me is how your persistence through multiple technical barriers (especially while managing vision challenges and working with older technology) ultimately paid off. The fact that the "electronic signature" turned out to be just a checkbox rather than an actual signature field really illustrates how counterintuitive these government interfaces can be for users expecting more traditional processes. The collective problem-solving effort here is remarkable - from browser compatibility solutions and the crucial direct iClaim link to creative alternatives like library computers and congressional representative assistance. This thread has honestly become more comprehensive and useful than any official SSA help documentation I've encountered! It's concerning that accessing benefits you've rightfully earned requires this level of technical troubleshooting, but seeing how this community came together with real, actionable solutions gives me so much confidence about navigating these challenges when they arise in my own family. Congratulations on successfully getting your application through and securing those important retroactive benefits! Your willingness to share both the struggles and solutions is going to help countless others facing similar obstacles. This thread is definitely getting bookmarked as an essential resource - thank you for turning a frustrating experience into such a valuable community guide!

I'm new to this community but have been closely following this discussion as I'm facing a very similar situation with my granddaughter. The wealth of practical advice shared here has been incredibly valuable - from the detailed documentation strategies to the various support programs I never knew existed. What strikes me most is how many different pathways there are for getting help while navigating the SSA process. The suggestions about state kinship care programs, 211 services, Legal Aid advocacy, and even faith-based community support really show that there's a whole network of resources available if you know where to look. Diego, I wanted to add one more thing that helped me when I was struggling with phone calls to SSA - I found that calling on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings right at 8am local time gave me the best chance of getting through. Mondays and Fridays seem to be the worst for busy signals and long hold times. Also, I'd encourage you to start that expense tracking spreadsheet right away, even if you're not sure you qualify yet. From everything I've read here, having detailed financial records from day one seems to be one of the most important factors in getting approved quickly once you do apply. Your grandchildren are so fortunate to have someone willing to fight through all this bureaucracy for them. This community has shown that with persistence and the right resources, it is possible to successfully navigate this complex system. Keep us posted on your progress - we're all rooting for you!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help with the documentation process while you're waiting to get through to SSA. When I was preparing for my own kinship care situation, I created a simple daily log that included not just expenses, but also notes about the children's daily needs - things like "took grandson to doctor appointment," "bought school supplies," "helped with homework for 2 hours." This kind of detailed daily record really helped demonstrate the full scope of care I was providing, beyond just the financial support. The SSA representative told me later that seeing this comprehensive picture of dependency made my case much stronger. Also, I wanted to mention that some local libraries have social services navigators who can help you understand what programs are available in your area and even assist with applications. I had no idea this service existed until a librarian mentioned it when she saw me struggling with paperwork at a computer terminal. Diego, I hope you're able to get through soon using some of the calling strategies people have shared. The Tuesday/Wednesday morning approach has worked well for others, and that Claimyr service several people mentioned might be worth trying if you continue having trouble. Your dedication to these children is admirable, and this community is clearly behind you!

Thank you all for the helpful responses. I'll check my mySocialSecurity account in mid-January, and if it's not there, I'll watch for the mailed form in early February. I'm definitely concerned about the tax implications now - I had no idea so much of my Social Security could be taxable! I'll look into filing that W-4V form to have taxes withheld going forward. This has been very educational!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this transition a few years ago. The SSA-1099 form is pretty straightforward - it shows your total benefits received and any federal taxes that were withheld (if you had any). The form itself is only one page, so it's easy to read. One thing that caught me off guard was realizing that Social Security benefits can push you into a higher tax bracket when combined with other income. Since you're still working part-time, I'd strongly recommend talking to a tax professional this year, especially since it's your first time dealing with both income types. They can help you figure out estimated quarterly payments for next year so you don't get hit with a big bill again. Also, keep that SSA-1099 form safe - you'll need it every year you file taxes while receiving benefits, and replacements can take weeks to get if you lose it!