Social Security application filed 6 weeks ago still 'processing' - normal wait time?

Yea thats pretty normal right now, SSA is understaffed and backed up. I filed in September and didn't hear anything for nearly 9 weeks. Then suddenly got approval email. You'll be fine.

This is actually quite common, especially during the end-of-year period. SS retirement applications typically take 6-8 weeks for processing under normal circumstances, but the holiday season plus their current backlog can extend this timeline. Since you're still within that window and they've confirmed it's in process, there's no need to worry yet. A few things to keep in mind: - Your benefits are calculated from your eligibility/filing date, not when the application finishes processing - First payments typically arrive the month after approval - You can continue checking your MySocialSecurity account for updates If you reach the 8-week mark with no updates, then it might be worth visiting your local office in person.

OMG I went through the EXACT same thing!!!! Filed in August and didn't hear ANYTHING for 2 months!!! I called every week and got different answers each time. One agent said everything was fine, another said they were missing documents (they weren't), another said just to wait. It's SO frustrating!!! The SSA system is completely BROKEN!!! I finally got approved in late October but only after I contacted my congressman's office and had them inquire. Suddenly my application was "found" and processed within 3 days. COINCIDENCE??? I think NOT!!!

I'm a retired SSA claims specialist, and I can provide some context. Six weeks is still within normal processing times, especially this time of year. Many people file for retirement benefits in Q4, creating seasonal backlogs. Additionally, retirement claims go through several verification steps: 1. Income verification against earnings records 2. Identity verification steps 3. Potential pension offset calculations (if applicable) 4. Benefit computation confirmations As long as your MySocialSecurity account shows it's processing, the system has your application. If you're approaching 8+ weeks with no updates, you might want to schedule an appointment at your local office or try calling early in the morning (right when they open) to minimize wait times. Since you filed in November for February benefits, you're actually ahead of schedule. Most people only need to file 2-3 months before their eligibility date.

I've been trying to reach SSA for weeks about my application status too. Kept getting disconnected or waiting forever. I finally tried using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in under 10 minutes. They called me back when they had an agent on the line! You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The SSA agent told me exactly where my application was in the process and what to expect. Definitely worth it rather than wasting hours on hold or getting disconnected.

my cousin waited 3 months last year so 6 weeks is nothing lol

Are you applying for retirement or SSDI? Because SSDI takes way longer, like sometimes over a year. If this is regular retirement then 6 weeks is normal processing time. My mom got hers processed in about 7 weeks earlier this year.

Check your online account everyday! Mine changed from processing to approved with no email notificaiton or anything, I only knew because I happened to login that day.

One additional thing I should mention - when your application is approved, you'll receive an official award letter by mail detailing your benefit amount and payment schedule. This typically arrives about a week after the online status changes to approved. Make sure your mailing address is current in your MySocialSecurity profile. Also, I highly recommend setting up direct deposit through your online account if you haven't already. Even if your application is still processing, you can set this up now to ensure your payments arrive promptly once approved.