Just learned I'm eligible for Social Security survivor CIC benefits after being denied - can I get backpay?

First, I'm very sorry for your loss. You absolutely should apply for Child-in-Care benefits! The SSA representative who told you that you weren't eligible made a mistake (happens all too often). With a child under 16 in your care, you qualify for widow's benefits regardless of your age. To answer your questions: - Yes, you can receive backpay to February 2024 (when your children began receiving benefits) - For 2025, the earnings limit for CIC benefits is around $22,320 per year. Since you earn $25,000, you'll face a reduction - they deduct $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit - Your children's benefits won't be affected by your application - Bring birth certificates, your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, and proof of your current income Make sure to specifically ask for the Child-in-Care benefit by name during your appointment. Sometimes representatives don't check all possible benefits unless you specifically mention them.

The SSA office told me EXACT same thing when my wife died and I had our 4yr old! They said I made too much $ and couldn't get benefits. Six months later I learned about CIC benefits from a grief support group and reapplied. Got approved with backpay! For your income situation: The formula is $1 reduction for every $2 you earn above limit. So if you're $2,680 over the annual limit ($25,000 - $22,320), your annual reduction would be $1,340, or about $112/month. So you'd still get most of your benefit! BTW - the monthly benefit is indeed 75% of your husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) just like your kids. And it doesn't affect their payments at all - you're drawing from a different part of the family maximum.

I went through this exact situation last year and I can tell you it was a NIGHTMARE trying to get someone on the phone at SSA. I spent literally 4+ hours on hold multiple times and kept getting disconnected. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through - they got me a callback from SSA within 20 minutes. Saved me hours of waiting. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU When you do talk to SSA, be VERY specific about asking for CIC benefits. The first agent I talked to still didn't know what I was talking about! I had to call back and speak with someone else who finally knew the rules. Good luck!

Not to hijack the thread but does having a child with disabilities change anything? My daughter is 17 but has Down syndrome and gets SSI. Im widowed (husband died 2023) and was told I cant get benefits until I turn 60!

The SSA website is TERRIBLE about explaining this stuff!!! I looked everywhere online when my husband died and never saw ANYTHING about benefits for me as a younger widow with kids. Their pages are sooo confusing. I only found out about CIC benefits from my husband's former coworker whose wife had gone through something similar. They make it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to understand what you're entitled to, and then the people you talk to give wrong information half the time! It makes me so ANGRY thinking about all the grieving parents out there missing out on benefits they deserve just because SSA can't communicate clearly!!

One important thing nobody's mentioned yet - if your income fluctuates, report changes to SSA right away. If you end up earning more than you estimated, they can hit you with an overpayment notice later (happened to me and it was a headache). On the flip side, if your income decreases, you might get more benefits. Also, keep in mind that only wages and self-employment income count toward the earnings limit. Investment income, interest, etc. don't count. And remember that the annual earnings limit increases slightly every year with COLA adjustments. For example, the 2024 limit was $21,240, and the 2025 limit is $22,320.

i got cic benefits when my husband died. one thing - make sure your own work credits and earnings record are good because once your youngest turns 16, your cic benefits will stop completely. i wasnt prepared for that and it was a shock financially

For your appointment, bring as much documentation as possible: 1. Birth certificates for both children 2. Your marriage certificate 3. Your husband's death certificate 4. Your husband's Social Security number 5. Your Social Security card 6. Your ID 7. Recent pay stubs or proof of earnings 8. Direct deposit information When applying, be sure to emphasize that you are caring for children under 16 who are receiving benefits on your husband's record. The technical term is "mother's/father's benefits" (though many people call it CIC benefits). Also, keep in mind that your CIC benefits will continue until your youngest child turns 16, after which you won't be eligible again until you reach widow's benefit age (currently 60). So it's important to plan for that transition.