One more thing I should mention - while the offices are closed on those dates, the MySocialSecurity online portal is still accessible 24/7, even during holidays. If you're just uploading documents, you can still do that during the closure dates. However, as others have mentioned, they won't be processed until staff returns. The online submission system basically creates a queue that's processed in order when employees return to work.

I wonder if anyone here knows - does this holiday schedule apply to the payment processing too? Will our January direct deposits be affected by their closure days? My husband depends on his SSDI payment coming on time.

make sure u list ALL ur symptoms not just the main ones!! my nephew got approved faster cuz he included everything even the brain fog and fatigue not just the physical stuff

That's a really good point - I do have significant fatigue and cognitive issues from both the RA and the medications. Some days the brain fog is actually more limiting than the joint pain. I'll definitely make sure to document all of these effects.

Please update us after you speak with SSA! I'd like to know what happened in your case as it might help others in similar situations. The disabled widow benefit conversion makes the most sense, but the lack of notice and reduction in benefits is concerning. Document everything during your call - representative's name, date/time, and what they tell you about the conversion and your options moving forward.

my mom got switched from SSI to disabled widoes benefits and got EXTRA money but also got medicare too. maybe check if u got medicare now cuz that worth something too even if money went down a little

One additional document to consider is the "ANYPIA" calculation (Average Indexed Monthly Earnings calculation). This shows the detailed formula used to determine your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). What complicates your situation is coordinating between your own benefit and the potential spousal benefit. Here's what many people don't realize: if you take your own benefit early at 62, and later become eligible for a spousal benefit when your husband files at 70, your spousal benefit will be reduced because you took your own benefit early. This is why getting these calculations done professionally is so important in your specific situation. The difference could potentially be tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

When I was planning my retirement, I found it helpful to make a list of specific questions before my SSA appointment. Make sure to ask: 1. What's my retirement benefit at 62, 63, FRA, and 70? 2. What would my spousal benefit be at each of those ages? 3. How does my husband delaying until 70 affect my spousal benefit? 4. What happens to my benefit if I switch from my own to spousal later? 5. How does continued work affect these calculations? Bring a notepad and write down everything they tell you. I found the representatives helpful but they sometimes skip details if you don't specifically ask.

Has anyone tried the online application for survivor benefits? The SSA website says you can apply online but when I tried for my mom it kept giving errors. wondering if thats another option for OP besides going in person?

Update: I went to the office today and got there at 6:45am - there were already 8 people in line! But I did get in during the first group. The process took about 2 hours total, but I'm now officially applied for survivor benefits! The representative confirmed I was absolutely eligible at age 60 (that phone rep was completely wrong). She said I should see my first payment in about 3-4 weeks, and it will include any back benefits from my filing date. The amount was close to what I expected - $1,790 per month. Not as much as I'd get if I waited until FRA, but it will keep a roof over my head right now. Thanks everyone for your advice. Going in person was definitely the right move.