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 The 30-day estimate is outdated and hasn't been updated on their systems.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 in a very similar situation! Filed my spouse's retirement application in mid-November and we're still waiting too. The "processing" status hasn't changed in over 6 weeks now. It's really frustrating when they give you a 30-day estimate but reality is so different. From reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like 60-90 days is unfortunately the new normal. At least we're not alone in this! I keep reminding myself that as long as it shows "processing" in the system, our applications are still active and moving through the queue. Thanks for posting this - it's helpful to know others are experiencing the same delays. Hopefully we'll both get good news soon!

I'm experiencing the exact same situation! Filed my retirement application in late November and it's been stuck on "processing" status for over 6 weeks now. Like many others here, I was initially told 30 days but clearly that's not realistic anymore. What's been particularly helpful from reading these responses is learning that the application date is what matters for establishing your filing date, not the approval date. So even if there are delays, your husband's benefits should still start in February as requested (paid in March due to the one-month delay in SS payments). I also didn't realize that Social Security prioritizes applications based on start dates, so future entitlement applications like ours naturally take longer since they're not considered urgent. That makes sense but is frustrating when you're trying to plan financially. Thanks for posting this - it's really reassuring to know so many others are dealing with the same delays. The system seems overwhelmed right now, but at least our applications are still active in the queue. Hang in there!

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.

I'm currently going through this exact same situation! Filed my retirement application in late November and it's been showing "processing" status for about 6 weeks now with absolutely no updates. Like everyone else here, I was initially told 30 days but clearly that timeline is completely unrealistic. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring - it sounds like 60-90 days is unfortunately the new reality, even though SSA's website hasn't updated their estimates. What really put my mind at ease was learning that the application filing date is what establishes your entitlement, not the approval date, so even with delays our benefits will still start as requested. The explanation about how SSA prioritizes applications based on start dates also makes sense - since we're not requesting immediate benefits, we're naturally lower priority than those with current month start dates. I tried calling once but gave up after being on hold for over an hour. It's frustrating that their phone system is so overwhelmed, but at least we know from everyone's experiences that these delays are completely normal right now. Thanks for posting this question - this community has been way more informative than anything I could find on SSA's official website!

I just went through this exact same experience! Filed my retirement application in October and it took 73 days to get approved. The "processing" status never changed until the day it was suddenly approved - no warnings or updates along the way. The 30-day estimate on SSA's website is completely unrealistic right now. From what I experienced and heard from others, 60-90 days seems to be the actual timeframe. The good news is that since you applied in November for a February start date, you're well within the processing window. One thing that helped me stay sane during the wait was checking the online account only once a week instead of daily - the status rarely changes until the very end anyway. And like others mentioned, your application date in November is what matters for establishing your filing date, so even if approval comes later, your February benefits are protected. The system is definitely overwhelmed, but your application is in the queue and will get processed. Try to be patient - I know it's easier said than done when you're planning your finances around it!