Can my children get retroactive Social Security benefits back to my protected filing date? No appointments available!

Your kids won't lose the retroactive benefits. As long as you filed for YOUR benefits with the protected filing date, your children's benefits can be based on when you filed. Make sure to keep trying for an appointment and document ALL your attempts to contact SSA. That protective date in January is just when you'd have to RE-APPLY if you hadn't completed YOUR application.

Thank you so much for clarifying! I've been so worried about this. I'll document all my calls and attempts to get appointments. Do you know if there's any way to submit their birth certificates without an in-person appointment? The closest office is 2 hours away and I'd need to take the kids out of school.

The SSA phone reps gave you the correct information about retroactive benefits for your children. Their benefits can go back to your initial filing date in July 2024, PROVIDED you add them to your record within the appropriate timeframe. The protective filing date primarily relates to your own application, but there is a separate 6-month window for adding eligible dependents.One suggestion: check if your local office accepts documents by mail with a scheduled phone appointment. Some offices implemented this during COVID and have continued the practice. You'll need certified copies of birth certificates (not photocopies) and completed applications for each child (Form SSA-2-BK).

This is extremely helpful! I had no idea about the 6-month window for adding dependents or that some offices might accept mailed documents. I'll definitely call to ask about this option. Do you know if I would need anything besides the birth certificates and those application forms?

You'll also need their Social Security numbers, and if you're not the custodial parent, you'll need custody documentation. The SSA-2-BK forms require quite a bit of information including any prior marriages, detailed income information for the children (unlikely they have any), and school enrollment information for children 18-19. Check the SSA website for the full checklist for child benefits - search for \

ur actually wrong about this. i went thru similar thing last year and my kids only got benefits from when i actually BROUGHT THEM to the office in person with certificates. lost almost 4 months of backpay...SSA doesnt care if u cant get appt, thats ur problem not theres. they told me specifically that protected date was ONLY for the person filing not dependants

That's definitely not how it's supposed to work. Sounds like someone at your local office made a mistake. The program operations manual for SSA (POMS) is clear that auxiliary benefits (including children) can be paid retroactively based on the primary claimant's filing date. OP should insist on speaking to a supervisor if anyone tells them differently.

whatever man, just saying what happened to ME. different offices do things different ways and theres nothing u can do about it

I had almost this exact situation last year! What worked for me was calling my Congressional Representative's office. They have liaisons who work directly with SSA and can often get things expedited. I couldn't get an appointment for months, called my Rep's office, and had everything resolved within 2 weeks.Regarding your actual question - yes, your children should receive benefits retroactive to your protective filing date as long as you establish their entitlement within 6 months of your approval. The January date is when your own protected filing date would have expired if you hadn't completed your application.The key is to document everything. Write down dates of calls, names of representatives, and what was said. If you're told conflicting information, ask to speak with a supervisor.

I never thought about contacting my Congressional office! That's brilliant. I'll try that route tomorrow. It's so frustrating that there's no consistent information. Thank you for confirming the 6-month window - that gives me some breathing room at least!

Have you tried using Claimyr to reach an SSA agent? I was in a similar situation last month - couldn't get through on the phone for days, and online appointments were months out. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that calls SSA for you and connects you once they reach an agent. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puUThe agent I reached was able to document in my file that I had been attempting to complete my children's applications and told me exactly what to do next. They even scheduled a phone appointment for me where I could submit documents electronically rather than waiting for an in-person slot. Saved me weeks of frustration!

I've never heard of Claimyr before! That sounds like exactly what I need right now. Going to check out that video and website immediately. If they can get me a phone appointment where I can submit documents electronically, that would solve everything! Thank you so much for this tip.

I tried that service once and it didn't work for me. Still waited forever. Just saying, nothing's guaranteed with SSA.

Sorry it didn't work for you! I guess experiences vary. For me it connected within about 40 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own with no luck.

I'm a little confused about something in your post... You say you got retirement benefits, but mention having minor children? Are you over full retirement age with young kids, or are you on disability benefits? Because that would change the advice people are giving you.

Sorry for the confusion! I'm 63 and took early retirement benefits. My wife and I had children later in life - we have twins who are 12. You can receive benefits for dependent children even on retirement (not just disability) as long as you're entitled to Social Security benefits and they're under 18.

Oh wow, I had no idea! I'm 60 with a 16-year-old and was planning to wait until 67 to file. Does this mean my daughter could get benefits if I filed now instead of waiting? This could change my whole retirement strategy!

Just to add some additional information that might help: if you're absolutely unable to secure an appointment before the 6-month window closes, you can establish a written protective filing date specifically for your children's benefits. Send a signed and dated letter to your local Social Security office via certified mail stating your intention to file for child's benefits on behalf of your minor children (list their names and SSNs). Specifically mention you've been unable to secure an appointment despite multiple attempts. This creates a paper trail that can protect their retroactive benefits even if processing is delayed.Also, bring evidence of all your attempts to contact SSA (phone records, online appointment attempts, etc.) when you eventually get an appointment. This documentation can be crucial if there are questions about the timing.

This is incredibly helpful advice - thank you! I'll absolutely send a certified letter this week to create that paper trail. I've been taking screenshots of the appointment calendar showing no availability and noting down all my phone call attempts, so I'll have that documentation ready too.

One more thing that might help - if you have any other Social Security offices within reasonable driving distance, try calling them too. Sometimes offices in different areas have different availability, and they can often handle applications for people who live in other service areas. I had a friend who couldn't get an appointment at her local office but was able to get one at an office about an hour away within a week. It's worth checking if you're willing to travel a bit further. Also, some offices have walk-in hours for urgent situations - you might want to ask about that when you call.

I went through something very similar earlier this year! A few additional tips that helped me: First, try calling the national SSA number (1-800-772-1213) at exactly 8 AM when they open - I had better luck getting through then. Second, when you do reach someone, ask them to document in your file that you've been trying to schedule an appointment for your children's benefits since [date] - this creates an official record. Third, some offices have "emergency" walk-in slots they hold for urgent situations. Explain that your protective filing window is closing and ask if they have any emergency appointments available. I actually got seen this way when regular appointments were booked for months. Also, don't give up on the mail-in option - it varies by office but mine did accept certified copies by mail with a phone interview scheduled. Keep pushing and document everything!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! My husband filed for retirement benefits in September and we're trying to add our 14-year-old son to his record. The local office has been completely booked for months. One thing that worked for me was asking specifically about "telephone claims interviews" when I called - apparently some offices can complete the child's application over the phone if you can email or fax the required documents beforehand. The rep I spoke with said they're doing more of these remote applications since COVID. Also, try calling different times of day - I had better luck around 2-3 PM on weekdays when the morning rush dies down. Don't let them tell you that your kids won't get retroactive benefits back to your filing date - that's absolutely incorrect based on everything I've read and been told by multiple SSA reps. Keep fighting for it and document every conversation!

I've been following this thread with great interest as I work with Social Security issues regularly. A few additional points that might help: First, if you're still struggling to get through by phone, try using the automated system to schedule a "callback" - you can request SSA to call you back rather than waiting on hold. This often works better than trying to stay on the line. Second, regarding the protective filing for children's benefits that Jamal mentioned - this is absolutely correct and crucial. Even if you can't complete the full application, establishing that protective filing date in writing will preserve their retroactive benefits. Third, I wanted to clarify the conflicting information about retroactive benefits - the POMS (Program Operations Manual System) is very clear that auxiliary beneficiaries (including children) can receive benefits retroactive to the primary beneficiary's entitlement date, provided the auxiliary application is filed within the appropriate timeframes. Any office that tells you otherwise is either misinformed or applying incorrect procedures. Don't hesitate to ask for a supervisor and reference POMS sections if needed. Finally, if all else fails, definitely contact your Congressional representative as Mei suggested - their constituent services offices are specifically designed to help with federal agency issues like this.