I'm so sorry for your loss, Sean. My father passed away two years ago and I went through this exact same process with my mother. Just wanted to add a few practical tips that might help your mom: 1) When she calls SSA, try calling right when they open at 8 AM - the wait times are usually shorter then. 2) Have her write down the representative's name and any reference numbers they give her in case she needs to call back. 3) The death benefit will be direct deposited if she has that set up with SSA, otherwise they'll mail a check. 4) Most importantly, don't let the small amount of the death benefit discourage her from applying for the ongoing survivor benefits - those can make a real difference financially. The whole process feels overwhelming when you're grieving, but taking it one step at a time helps. Wishing you and your mom strength during this difficult time.

I'm sorry for your loss, Sean. This is such a difficult time to have to navigate bureaucracy. Just wanted to share that when my mother-in-law passed last year, we found it helpful to make the SSA call on speakerphone so multiple family members could hear the information directly - it prevented confusion later about what was said. Also, if your mom is comfortable with technology, she might be able to create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov to check some of her benefit information before calling, which can help speed up the phone conversation. The representatives we spoke with were actually quite compassionate once we got through. Don't hesitate to ask them to repeat information or explain things in simpler terms if needed. Take care of yourself and your mom during this time.

Update from the original poster would be helpful. Has there been any change in status? For others reading this thread, auxiliary benefits for children under a parent's record typically take 2-4 weeks for processing, but can take up to 6 weeks during high-volume periods. The SSA's published standard is 21 business days, but they rarely meet that timeline in practice.

I'm a newcomer here but going through something very similar! Just had my phone interview for my son's benefits last week and they told me it was approved with a monthly amount of $892. The rep said "everything looks good, you'll get your letter in 7-10 days" but reading all these responses is making me realize I should probably expect to wait longer. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money and they give you timelines that seem way too optimistic. Thank you Eva for posting this - it's really helpful to see I'm not the only one dealing with this uncertainty. Hope you get your approval letter soon!

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! Sounds like 3 months before is the sweet spot. Going to start gathering my documents now so I'm ready to apply in February. One last question - is it better to apply online or should I make an appointment at my local office?

I just went through this process myself last year! Applied exactly 3 months before my FRA birthday and everything went smoothly. One tip that saved me time - create your my Social Security account online first if you haven't already. You can review your earnings history and get an estimate of your benefits before applying. Also, certified copies of documents work just fine - you don't need originals. The online application took me about 30 minutes and I was able to save it partway through when I realized I needed to grab my bank routing number. Got my first payment right on schedule!

For your April benefits (since your birthday is March 12th), applying now is perfect timing. For documents, they usually just need to see the originals if you apply in person, or uploads/copies if applying online. They'll notify you if they need anything else. Also, an important tip: Create your "my Social Security" account online before applying if you haven't already. This lets you track your application status and eventually view/manage your benefits. It's much easier to set this up before you're in the middle of the application process.

As someone who just went through this process last year, I can confirm that applying 3-4 months ahead is the sweet spot. I applied exactly 4 months before my intended start date and everything went smoothly. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - if you're still working when you apply, make sure to report your expected earnings accurately. SSA has an annual earnings limit if you're under full retirement age, but since you're turning 67 (full retirement age), you won't have to worry about earnings limits. Also, double-check that all your employers properly reported your wages over the years by reviewing your Social Security Statement online - any discrepancies are much easier to fix before you apply rather than after. The online application saved me a lot of time compared to going to the office. Best of luck with your application!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Your LTD company will likely take most or all of your backpay, but here's what helped me minimize the damage: 1. Request a detailed calculation from your LTD carrier BEFORE they take anything - they're required to provide this if you ask 2. Double-check that they're only calculating offset for months they actually paid you benefits (not any gap periods) 3. Make sure they're using the correct SSDI effective date - sounds like yours would be December 2023 after the 5-month waiting period 4. Verify they're not double-counting any dependent benefits if you have them In my case, my LTD company initially calculated wrong and tried to take $3,000 more than they were entitled to. Once I challenged it with documentation, they corrected the amount. You probably won't keep much of the $13,100, but you should still get your ongoing monthly LTD payment (around $800) plus your full SSDI going forward. The key is getting their calculation in writing and reviewing it carefully against your policy terms. Don't just let them take the money without explanation!

I'm new here but going through a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was just approved for SSDI last month after an 18-month wait, and I've been dreading the conversation with my LTD company about backpay offsets. My situation is almost identical to yours - LTD monthly benefit of $3,800, SSDI monthly of $2,950, and about $15,200 in backpay after attorney fees. Based on all the advice here, it sounds like I need to: 1. Request their detailed calculation in writing before they take anything 2. Verify they're using correct effective dates and only counting months they actually paid me 3. Check my policy for any provisions about attorney fees or minimum benefits 4. Make sure they're not using gross vs net amounts incorrectly One question for everyone who's been through this - did your LTD company require any specific documentation from SSA, or did they just take your word for the approval and backpay amounts? I'm wondering if I need to get official statements from SSA before I contact my LTD carrier. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's making this process feel much less overwhelming knowing what to expect and how to advocate for myself!