Need help lowering Medicare costs & stopping deceased MIL's SSA benefits - any advice for in-person SSA appointment?
Hey everyone, I'm dealing with some Medicare and Social Security issues. Our Medicare payments are super high right now and we're trying to get them lowered. Also, we need to apply for Social Security benefits which should have lower costs. On top of that, we need to stop my mother-in-law's Social Security payments since she recently passed away. Has anyone dealt with similar situations? Any advice on how to handle all this at once?
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Javier Torres
I'm so sorry for your loss. Dealing with all of this at once must be overwhelming. For your mother-in-law's benefits, you need to report her passing to the SSA asap. They don't automatically know when someone dies, so it's important to let them know to stop payments. As for lowering Medicare costs, have you looked into Extra Help or Medicare Savings Programs? They can significantly reduce your expenses if you qualify.
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Natasha Volkov
•Thanks for the condolences. We're planning to report her passing in person at the SSA office. As for the Medicare costs, we have some specific reasons why we need to advocate in person. The usual programs don't quite fit our situation.
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Javier Torres
•Ah, gotcha. In-person advocacy can definitely be more effective for complex situations. Make sure to bring all relevant documents like income proof and medical bills. Good luck!
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Emma Wilson
Ugh, the SSA can be such a pain to deal with 🙄 I've been trying to get my benefits sorted for months now. Every time I call, I'm on hold forever and then get transferred around like a hot potato. It's so frustrating!
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QuantumLeap
•Tell me about it! I feel like I'm playing phone tag with a brick wall sometimes 😫
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Malik Johnson
•Hey, I found a way to actually get someone on the phone! There's this site called claimyr.com that has a calling tool. It dials through the phone menu, stays on hold, and then connects you when a real person picks up. It costs $20, but it saved me hours of frustration.
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Isabella Santos
Listen up, OP. Here's what you need to do: 1. Report your mother-in-law's passing: Go to your local SSA office with her death certificate. They'll stop her benefits and might even be able to help with any other issues. 2. Medicare costs: If you don't qualify for standard programs, prepare a detailed case for why you need lower payments. Bring proof of income, all medical bills, and any other relevant financial documents. 3. Applying for Social Security benefits: While you're there, ask about this too. The requirements vary depending on your age and situation, so be ready with your work history and personal info. 4. Schedule an appointment: Call your local SSA office directly to set up an in-person meeting. This way, you can handle everything at once. Remember, persistence is key with the SSA. Don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if you're not getting the help you need. Good luck!
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Natasha Volkov
•Wow, thanks for the detailed advice! This is really helpful. I'll definitely make sure to bring all those documents you mentioned.
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Ravi Sharma
•This is solid advice right here 💯 I wish I had known all this when I was dealing with my dad's benefits last year.
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Freya Larsen
has anyone else noticed that the SSA website is always down when you need it most? like, do they run it on a potato or something? 🤔
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Omar Hassan
•LOL a potato would probably work better 🥔💻 I swear it's held together with duct tape and hopes and dreams
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Chloe Taylor
•For real tho, it's ridiculous. You'd think with all our tax dollars they could afford a decent server 🙄
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ShadowHunter
Hey OP, just a heads up - when you go to the SSA office, be prepared to wait. Like, bring-a-book-and-snacks kind of wait. Last time I went, I was there for 4 hours! 😫
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Diego Ramirez
Quick question - has anyone here successfully lowered their Medicare costs? I'm in the same boat as OP and could use some pointers.
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Anastasia Sokolov
•I managed to get mine reduced last year. The key is to really know your stuff and be persistent. I had to appeal twice, but it was worth it in the end.
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Diego Ramirez
•Thanks for the tip! Mind sharing what kind of evidence or arguments worked for you?
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Anastasia Sokolov
•Sure thing! I brought a detailed breakdown of my medical expenses vs income, letters from my doctors explaining my health needs, and even got my local congressperson involved. It was a lot of work, but it paid off.
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Sean O'Connor
unpopular opinion: the whole system needs an overhaul. it's ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get basic help. 🤦♂️
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Zara Ahmed
•Preach! 🙌 It's like they make it complicated on purpose to discourage people from claiming benefits.
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Luca Conti
•100% agree. My grandma literally gave up trying to get her benefits adjusted because it was too confusing and stressful for her.
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