When my husband got approved for SSDI, we were told the kids qualified but we had to apply separately. Noone told me I could get benefits too! Now its been 8 months and I'm worried I missed out on thousands of dollars. Can I still apply and get backpay?

I just wanted to update everyone - I was able to use Claimyr to get through to SSA yesterday and the agent was incredibly helpful! She confirmed both my children qualify for about $900 each per month, and I qualify for about $900 as their caregiver. However, due to the family maximum, we'll get a total of about $3,550 for all three of us combined (instead of $2,700). She also helped me schedule an appointment at our local office next week to complete the application since some documents need to be verified in person. Thank you all for your advice and support - this additional income will make a huge difference for us while I figure out our new normal.

Good thinking on setting up the online account. One thing I'd suggest: sometimes the local SSA offices process applications faster depending on their workload. You might try calling your local office directly instead of the main number. Their direct numbers aren't well-publicized but you can usually find them with some searching online. Sometimes you can get through to a real person much faster this way.If you still don't hear anything after 5-6 weeks, that's when I'd recommend using the Claimyr service others mentioned. I've had good experiences with it when I needed to resolve an issue quickly.

That's a great tip about the local office! I'll see if I can track down their direct number. Appreciate all the help from everyone - feeling much less anxious now that I have a better idea of the timeline and options.

I TRIED FOR WEEKS to get through to SSA on the phone when my husband died last year!!! The wait times were INSANE and they kept disconnecting me. I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person in less than 20 minutes. They charge a fee but OMG it was worth it! I was ready to pull my hair out before I found them.

Based on your situation, here's what I recommend: 1. Wait until exactly 66+6mo (your FRA) to file for survivor benefits 2. Continue working without worrying about the earnings test 3. Switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 This strategy will maximize your lifetime benefits. During your call with SSA, ask specifically: - What your wife's PIA was (the amount she would have received at her FRA) - How the RIB-LIM applies in your case - Confirmation that the earnings test won't apply once you reach your FRA Document everything from the call, including the representative's name and direct quotes about benefit amounts. Social Security rules are complex, and sometimes you'll get different information from different representatives.

Let me address a few key points about your situation: 1. For couples with separate finances, the standard "one delays, one claims early" advice often doesn't apply. 2. With your savings level ($390,000), you can easily afford to delay claiming. 3. The 8% per year increase (actually about 8.33% per year after FRA) is a guaranteed return that's hard to beat elsewhere. 4. Women typically live longer than men, meaning you have a higher statistical likelihood of benefiting from maximized benefits. 5. If you're both in excellent health with family longevity, delaying is generally the mathematically optimal choice. One thing to consider: the optimal strategy also depends on tax implications. Since you're drawing from retirement accounts during the delay period, check how this affects your tax bracket compared to taking SS now and smaller 401(k) distributions later.

Just want to say its so refreshing to see someone who has almost $400K saved!!! So many posts here are ppl who have nothing saved and are trying to live on just SS. Good for you for being responsible!

Thank you all for the incredibly helpful information! I'm going to: 1) Make sure I report my October wages by November 10th, 2) Prepare for my November SSI payment to be slightly reduced based on my few September workdays, 3) Expect a larger reduction in December, 4) Talk to my EN about work incentives like IRWE, and 5) Keep ALL my paystubs and documentation. I feel so much better understanding the timeline now! This community is amazing.

Sounds like you have a solid plan! One final tip: set calendar reminders for your monthly reporting deadlines. It's easy to forget, especially as you adjust to your new work schedule. Congratulations on the new job, and good luck with your Ticket to Work journey!