Can I get early survivor benefits in person at SSA office after failed phone attempts?
I'm at my wit's end trying to apply for survivor benefits after losing my husband 4 months ago. I absolutely need to file now even though I'm only 60 and know I'll get a permanently reduced amount. Our savings are nearly depleted and I can't keep up with bills much longer. My problem is I CANNOT get through on the phone to save my life! I've called dozens of times over the past few weeks. When I do get through the automated system, the callback feature never works (phone rings once then disconnects). The ONE time I managed to speak with a representative, she told me I couldn't apply until I turned 62, which contradicts everything I've read about survivor benefits being available at 60. Can I just show up at my local office when they open at 8am to apply in person? Has anyone had success doing this? I'm willing to wait all day if needed. I'm so desperate and frustrated - I understand taking benefits early means a permanent reduction, but I NEED the income right now. Any advice appreciated.
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Simon White
I successfully applied for survivor benefits by going in person! Get there at least 30-45 minutes before they open (I arrived at 7:15 for an 8am opening). Bring ALL your documents - your ID, your husband's death certificate, marriage certificate, both SSN cards, and recent tax returns if you have them. Also bring recent bank statements to set up direct deposit. I saw people being turned away for not having complete documentation. Ignore what that rep told you on the phone - you're absolutely right that survivor benefits start at 60. The person you spoke with was confusing it with regular retirement benefits that start at 62. This is exactly why I stopped trying to call and just went in person. With the documentation ready, my appointment took about 50 minutes and I started receiving benefits about 4 weeks later.
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Geoff Richards
•Thank you SO much for confirming this! I was sure that rep gave me wrong info, but it made me doubt myself. I'll gather all those documents tonight and plan to be there super early tomorrow. Did you find the staff at the office to be helpful? I'm worried about getting another person who doesn't understand the rules.
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Hugo Kass
im sorry for your loss. my neighbor had the same problem with the phones. she ended up going to the office and got it fixed in 1 day. bring water and snacks case you wait long time
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Geoff Richards
•Good idea about bringing water and snacks. I'm planning to get there around 7am so I'll definitely pack something to eat while waiting. Thanks for the kind words about my husband too.
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Nasira Ibanez
If you must go in person (understandable given your phone difficulties), I strongly recommend making an appointment first through the SSA website. Many offices now require appointments for non-emergency services, and survivor applications are typically not considered emergencies unless you're in immediate financial distress. Also, be aware that some smaller offices have cut back their hours since COVID and may only be open certain days. You should verify your local office's current schedule on SSA.gov before making the trip. Regarding your benefits: Yes, you are eligible for reduced survivor benefits at 60, but the reduction is approximately 28.5% from what you'd receive at your Full Retirement Age. Make sure you understand exactly how much you'll receive before making decisions. Additionally, if you're working, be aware of the earnings limit ($21,240 for 2025) - earning above this amount will reduce your benefits temporarily.
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Geoff Richards
•I tried making an appointment online but the earliest they had was 6 weeks out! That's why I was considering just showing up. I'll definitely check the hours though - good point. And yes, I understand about the reduction. Based on the statement my husband received before he passed, even with the reduction I should get around $1,875 monthly which would help tremendously right now. I'm only working part-time so shouldn't hit the earnings limit.
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Khalil Urso
I had to get survivor benefits last year and the PHONE SYSTEM IS THE WORST!!! I tried for WEEKS and kept getting hung up on or waiting for callbacks that never happened!!! The system is BROKEN and they don't care about people who are suffering!!! I finally went to the office and even though I got there 30 minutes before opening, there were already 12 people in line. Some had been there since 6am!!! Bring EVERYTHING with you - they will find any excuse to make you come back. And watch out because some of the workers are RUDE and act like you're bothering them just asking for help that you're entitled to!!!
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Myles Regis
•I understand your frustration with the phone system. Having worked as a benefits consultant, I've seen how understaffed SSA offices have become. While the system certainly has issues, most SSA employees are genuinely trying their best with limited resources. If you encounter difficulties with staff, politely ask to speak with a supervisor - they can often resolve issues more efficiently. By the way, there's a service called Claimyr that helps people connect with SSA representatives by phone. I've recommended it to several clients who were struggling to get through. They save you the hours of waiting and connect you directly to an agent. You can check them out at claimyr.com or watch how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Much easier than camping outside an office at dawn.
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Brian Downey
Going in person is definitely the way to go, but be prepared for a potentially long wait. My advice: 1. Arrive at least 45 minutes before opening 2. Bring a folder with ALL possible documents they might ask for (marriage license, death certificate, birth certificates, tax returns, bank info, etc) 3. Write down your questions beforehand so you don't forget anything important 4. Be patient but persistent - if something doesn't sound right, ask to speak with a supervisor And yes, you absolutely CAN apply for survivor benefits at 60. That's the whole point of survivor benefits - they're available earlier than regular retirement. The person you got on the phone clearly didn't know what they were talking about.
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Geoff Richards
•Thanks for the checklist! That's really helpful. I'm going to write out my questions tonight so I don't get flustered and forget something. I'm so glad multiple people have confirmed I can apply at 60 - I was right!
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Jacinda Yu
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?
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Nasira Ibanez
•While SSA does offer online services for many things, initial applications for survivor benefits typically require either a phone interview or in-person visit. This is because they need to verify several items that can't be easily confirmed online. The "errors" you encountered were likely the system recognizing this was a survivor claim that needed personal attention. For retirement benefits, the online system works quite well, but survivor benefits have more complex eligibility factors.
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Geoff Richards
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.
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Simon White
•So glad it worked out for you! That's almost exactly how my experience went too. And yes, sometimes taking the reduced amount early is the right financial decision when you need the income now. You made the right choice for your situation.
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