Social Security application stuck in review since November - normal wait time?

Totally normal. My app took almost 3 months to process last year. They say 30 days but thats not realistic lol

The 30-day timeframe is more of a general guideline than a guarantee. Social Security is currently experiencing significant backlogs, especially for retirement applications. Since your husband's benefit start date isn't until February, your application is likely considered lower priority than those with immediate start dates. A few things you can do: 1. Check your MySocialSecurity account for any notices or updates 2. Look for any mail from SSA requesting additional information 3. Call the national number (though wait times can be extremely long) 4. Visit your local field office if you're concerned As long as the application shows as "processing" in the system, it's still active. It's actually good you applied early since your February start date gives plenty of time for processing.

I went thru the exact same thing when I filed last summer!! The website said 30 days but it actually took 67 days for my application to be approved. Don't panic, as long as it says processing your still in the queue. They are just super backed up right now.

The processing times have definitely increased dramatically in the past year. While SSA still quotes 30 days as the standard processing time, the reality is closer to 45-75 days for most retirement applications right now. The good news is that since you requested a February start date, you still have time before benefits would begin. One important thing to note: the application date (when you submitted) is what establishes your filing date, not when it's approved. So even with delays, your husband's benefits will still start in February as requested, assuming he's reached his full retirement age (FRA) by then. I'd recommend waiting another 10-15 days before taking action. If you still haven't heard anything by mid-January, then it would be appropriate to contact SSA.

THE SSA IS COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED AND UNDERSTAFFED!!! I filed for my benefits in October and didn't hear ANYTHING for 89 days!!! When I finally got through to talk to someone they said they hadn't even LOOKED at my application yet!!! The whole system is falling apart and nobody in Washington cares!!!!!

I work with Social Security claims regularly, and I can confirm that processing times have increased significantly. The 30-day estimate is outdated and hasn't been updated on their systems. Currently, most retirement applications are taking 60-90 days to process, especially for future entitlement (like your February start date). Since you requested a February start date, SSA will prioritize applications with earlier start dates first. Your application is in the system and will be processed in time for the February payment, which would actually be paid in March (Social Security pays a month behind). If you need to check on status or speak with someone at SSA, I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to SSA representatives much faster than waiting on hold for hours. There's a great video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. I've recommended it to several clients who were in similar situations with delayed applications.

My husband and I both applied for our benefits at the same time last year, and strangely, mine was processed in 3 weeks while his took over 2 months! And we submitted them on the same day! I think it depends on which office or even which employee gets assigned to your case. Just keep checking the online account every few days.

Just to add one more thing - if your husband's application is approved after February has already started, don't worry. They will make the payments retroactive to his start date. So even if approval comes in March or April, he'll still get paid for February (though as someone else mentioned, February's payment would actually come in March since SS pays a month behind).

I'm going through something very similar right now! Filed my application in early December and it's been showing "processing" ever since. Like you, I was told 30 days but we're well past that now. Reading all these responses is both reassuring and concerning - reassuring that it's normal, but concerning about how long it might actually take! I did try calling once but gave up after being on hold for 90 minutes. It sounds like the system is just really backed up right now. At least your husband has until February, so there's still time for it to get processed. I'm hoping both our applications move along soon!

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! Filed my spouse's application in early December and we're still stuck on "processing" status too. The 30-day estimate they give is clearly not realistic anymore - it seems like 60-90 days is the new normal based on everyone's experiences here. What's been most helpful from reading all these responses is understanding that the application date (not approval date) determines your filing date, so your husband's February benefits are still protected even with processing delays. I also had no idea they prioritize applications based on start dates, which explains why our future entitlement applications take longer. The Claimyr service someone mentioned sounds interesting if you need to actually speak with someone without waiting hours on hold. I might try that if I don't hear anything in the next few weeks. Thanks for posting this question - it's so reassuring to know we're not alone in these delays! The SSA website really needs to update their processing time estimates to reflect current reality.

I'm going through almost the identical situation! Filed my husband's retirement application in mid-November and we're also still waiting with just the "processing" status showing online. It's been about 7 weeks now with zero updates or communication from SSA. What's really helped ease my anxiety is reading all these responses and realizing this seems to be the unfortunate new normal. The 30-day estimate on their website is clearly outdated - 60-90 days appears to be much more realistic based on everyone's actual experiences here. I'm particularly grateful for the clarification that the application filing date is what matters, not the approval date, so our February start date should still be protected even with these delays. That takes a huge weight off my shoulders since we've been planning our finances around that timeline. Has anyone had luck getting through to SSA by phone recently, or is it still those ridiculous multi-hour hold times? I'm debating whether it's worth trying to call or just continuing to wait it out since we still have time before February.