just to add another thing that tripped me up - any medical expenses paid by workman's comp don't count toward the offset, only the actual cash benefits you receive. SSA only cares about the income replacement part

I worked for SSA for 23 years before retiring. The workers' compensation offset is one of the most misunderstood aspects of SSDI. To be clear: 1. You never have to pay back SSDI you've already received because of workers' comp (unless there was an actual overpayment for some other reason). 2. The offset is applied prospectively - meaning they adjust future payments, not demand repayment. 3. Your state matters - some states have what's called "reverse offset" laws where the workers' comp gets reduced instead of your SSDI. 4. The calculations can be complex, and I've seen many cases where SSA calculated incorrectly and had to be corrected. I recommend getting a benefit verification letter that shows the offset calculation, then verify it matches your actual situation. If something seems wrong, request an explanation or reconsideration.

Try logging out completely and clearing your browser cookies, then log back in. Sometimes the system gets stuck in a weird state. That fixed a similar issue for me where I couldn't access certain forum features a few months ago.

hey quick question thats off topic but since ur applying for SSDI - did they make u wait the full 5 months before your first payment? my doctor said sometimes they waive that for certain conditions

Yeah there is a fee, but honestly after spending DAYS trying to get through and getting nowhere, it was worth it to me. Got my questions answered in one call instead of trying for weeks. Time is money too ya know!

Here's a summary of what we've discussed to help clarify: 1. If you're married at least 9 months before your husband passes away, you qualify for survivor benefits 2. If your husband passes away while on SSDI, your survivor benefit would be 100% of his disability benefit amount IF you claim at your Full Retirement Age or later 3. If you claim your own retirement benefit early (before your FRA) and later switch to survivor benefits, the RIB-LIM rule might reduce your survivor benefit amount 4. You can choose to receive either your own retirement benefit OR the survivor benefit, whichever is higher (not both simultaneously) 5. You can switch between benefits - for example, take your reduced retirement now and switch to survivor benefits later, or take survivor benefits first and switch to your own retirement later if it's higher The best strategy depends on the specific benefit amounts in your case. I recommend speaking with a knowledgeable SSA representative who can review both your records.

does she own her house?? that makes a HUGE difference if she has a mortgage or not. my SIL retired at 63 with just ss and she does ok because her house is paid off.

Here's another option for your sister to consider: If she really doesn't want to work full-time anymore, she could look for a part-time job just to cover her expenses until reaching an age where her SS benefit would be higher. Each year she delays claiming between 62 and 70 increases her benefit by approximately 8% FOR LIFE. Working part-time would also help address the health insurance gap before Medicare at 65, as some part-time positions offer health benefits. Plus, if she finds something less stressful than her previous job, it might be a good transition to full retirement. Just food for thought as she weighs her options.

Since ALS is progressive and your sister's speech is already affected, I'd suggest looking into assistive technology right away, in addition to the benefits applications. Many ALS patients use eye-tracking technology and speech generating devices that Medicare will cover with the right documentation. Ask her neurologist for a referral to a speech-language pathologist who specializes in ALS right away. They can help with both communication strategies and the documentation needed for Medicare to cover communication devices when needed.

I know everyone's focused on the SSDI/SSI question, but don't forget to look into whether your sister's state has a Medicaid waiver program that could help with home care. Many ALS patients eventually need significant assistance, and these waiver programs can provide caregivers, equipment, and home modifications. The income/asset limits are sometimes more flexible than regular Medicaid too. Also, has she worked enough recently to qualify for short or long-term disability through her business? That might provide some immediate income while the SSDI application is being processed, even with the expedited timeline.