Do SS appointment attempts preserve filing dates even if SSA can't schedule right away?
I'm trying to help my sister file for widow's benefits and we're hitting a roadblock. She called SSA yesterday to set up an appointment (understanding this would protect her filing date), but they told her they don't have ANY appointments available and would call her back in 10 days to try scheduling her then. This seems really concerning! Does anyone know if her attempt to make an appointment yesterday will still protect her filing date, even though they couldn't actually schedule her? Or is she now at risk of losing benefits because SSA couldn't accommodate her? Also, should she be documenting these calls somehow? She got the rep's name but nothing in writing. Will SSA have a record that she tried to file yesterday, or should she be keeping detailed notes of every contact? I'm really worried this could cost her thousands if her filing date isn't protected until they finally get her an actual appointment slot.
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Luca Esposito
Yes, her attempt to file counts as a protective filing date! This is specifically called a "protective filing statement" in SSA terms. The initial contact where she expressed intent to file establishes that date as her application date for benefit calculation purposes. She should absolutely document everything though: - Date and time of call - Representative's name (which she got) - Reference/confirmation number if provided - Brief notes about what was discussed SSA should have records of the call in their system, but having your own documentation is crucial in case there's any confusion later.
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Zara Ahmed
•Thank you so much! That's a relief to hear. She didn't get any reference number though - should she call back and specifically ask for one? Or just keep detailed notes on her end?
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Nia Thompson
When I filed for survivors benefits last year they told me they didn't have appts for 3 weeks but my date was still protected from my first call. But document EVERYTHING!!! They messed up my records twice and I had to argue with them to fix it. Write down every single thing.
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Mateo Rodriguez
•This is making me so nervous about my upcoming filing! Did they eventually sort it out correctly for you? I'm approaching FRA and planning to file next month but now I'm worried about them making mistakes with my record too.
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GalaxyGuardian
I had almost the exact same experience when filing for disability. Called to make an appointment, they didn't have any for nearly 2 weeks, but the rep SPECIFICALLY told me that my filing date was protected based on that initial call. However...I later found out they had no record of my call! It was a complete disaster and delayed my benefits by 3 months while they sorted it out. I would tell your sister to: 1. Call back and specifically ask for a "protective filing statement" to be noted in her record 2. Ask for a confirmation number for this request 3. Send a follow-up fax or letter to the local office stating her intent to file (keep proof of sending) 4. Consider starting the online application even if she can't complete it (it saves progress and documents intent) Don't trust that they're handling it correctly - the system is overwhelmed right now.
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Zara Ahmed
•This is really helpful, thank you. I didn't even think about starting the online application as a backup. I'll help her do that today, and we'll definitely call back to request a confirmation number.
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Aisha Abdullah
ok but is she filing for survivor benefits or widows benefits?? those are different things with SSA. if shes under FRA the survivors has different rules than regular widows i think
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Luca Esposito
•For clarification, survivor benefits is the general category that includes widow's benefits. Widow's benefits are a type of survivor benefit specifically for surviving spouses. The protective filing date works the same way for both - it's the date of first contact expressing intent to file that matters.
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Ethan Wilson
Something similar happened to me a few weeks ago. I tried calling the national number for DAYS and couldn't get through. When I finally did, they had no appointments for almost 3 weeks! I was really worried about losing my filing date too.
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Ethan Wilson
•Oh, forgot to add - I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real person at SSA in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. The agent confirmed my protective filing date was set from that first call, even though my actual appointment wasn't until later.
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Yuki Tanaka
The rules regarding protective filing dates are clear: 1. Initial contact expressing intent to file (call, visit, or partial online application) establishes the protective filing date 2. This protection generally lasts for 6 months, giving time to complete the formal application 3. Benefits can be paid retroactively from that protected date once the application is processed Your sister should follow up with a written statement to her local office explicitly stating her intent to file for widow's benefits as of yesterday's date. This provides additional documentation beyond the phone call. Also, request a "SSA-5002" (Statement of Claimant) be added to her record documenting her intent to file. This form specifically documents protective filing intent.
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Zara Ahmed
•Thank you for this information! We weren't aware of the SSA-5002 form. Should she request this over the phone or does she need to visit an office to get this form completed?
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Yuki Tanaka
She can request it by phone, but I'd recommend both calling AND sending a written statement. The written statement should include: 1. Her full name and SSN 2. Statement that she intends to file for widow's benefits 3. Date of her initial call 4. Name of representative she spoke with 5. Request that an SSA-5002 be added to her record Send this certified mail to her local office. This creates a paper trail that's much harder for SSA to overlook.
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Zara Ahmed
•Perfect, thank you! We'll do exactly this to make sure she's protected.
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Nia Thompson
THE SSA MAKES SO MANY MISTAKES!! My neighbor lost 4 months of benefits bcuz they didn't record her call properly! DOCUMENT EVERYTHING and don't trust what they tell you on the phone!!!!
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Mateo Rodriguez
•That's absolutely terrifying. It makes me wonder how many people are silently losing benefits they're entitled to because they don't know how to navigate this system. I'm getting really worried about my own filing now.
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Luca Esposito
Just to add some reassurance: while documentation is definitely important, the SSA does generally honor protective filing dates even if there's a scheduling delay. The system is designed to protect claimants' rights to benefits from first contact. One additional tip: if your sister wants to be extra cautious, she can start (but not necessarily complete) the online application process. This creates a definitive electronic record of intent to file with a timestamp, which can serve as backup documentation for her protective filing date.
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GalaxyGuardian
•This is good advice, but my experience shows it's not 100% reliable. I started an online application AND called, and they still initially claimed to have no record of my intent to file. It took multiple calls and escalation to a supervisor to get it resolved. The system is overwhelmed right now, and mistakes happen more than they should. Belt and suspenders approach is definitely warranted.
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