Social Security survivor benefits not showing online - will I only get updates by mail?

yep thats how it works. MySocialSecurity only shows retirement stuff not survivor. all my updates came through mail when i applied last year after my wife died

Unfortunately, this is correct. The MySocialSecurity online portal has limitations and survivor benefits information does not typically display there. The SSA primarily communicates about survivor benefits through postal mail. You can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to check on your application status, but be prepared for long wait times. I recommend calling early in the morning when they first open or later in the afternoon before closing to minimize your wait time. Also, if you're concerned about mail delivery, you might want to set up Informed Delivery through USPS if you haven't already. It sends you daily emails with scanned images of mail that's scheduled to arrive, so you'll know when to expect something from SSA.

I've been dealing with this EXACT same issue for months!!!! It's so frustrating that they haven't updated their website to include survivor benefits. I've literally received THREE contradictory letters in the mail because someone at SSA entered my birthdate wrong, and I had NO WAY to see this online or fix it without calling and waiting HOURS on the phone. In 2025 we should be able to handle this stuff online!!!!

If you need to reach SSA quickly about your survivor benefits, I had a great experience using Claimyr when I was in a similar situation. I was tired of getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Claimyr held my place in line and called me back when an agent was available. Saved me so much frustration! You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU or just go to claimyr.com. It was the only way I could get updates on my survivor claim without waiting for letters.

My neighbor told me she just goes to the SS office in person whenever she has questions about her widow benefits. She says it's worth the trip to talk to someone face to face. Have you tried that?

To answer your question definitively: Yes, you are thinking correctly. The MySocialSecurity portal currently does not display survivor benefit application status or payment information. This is a known limitation of their system. For survivor benefits, you will receive all official communications through postal mail, including: - Application receipt confirmation - Requests for additional documentation - Benefit amount determination - Payment start notification - Annual COLA adjustments If you're concerned about mail delivery, I recommend: 1. Setting up direct deposit for payments 2. Calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 for status updates (though wait times are substantial) 3. Considering an in-person appointment for critical issues The SSA has acknowledged this limitation but has not announced any timeline for adding survivor benefit tracking to their online portal.

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! I've set up USPS Informed Delivery as suggested and will try using Claimyr to reach SSA by phone. It's disappointing that the online system doesn't show survivor benefits in 2025, but at least I know what to expect now. I'll make sure to watch my mail carefully and follow up if I don't hear anything in the next couple weeks.

I went through this same situation when my mom passed away two years ago. The lack of online tracking for survivor benefits is really frustrating, especially when you're already dealing with grief and paperwork. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log of every interaction - dates I called, reference numbers, what was discussed. When I finally got through to someone, having that information made the conversation much more productive. Also, if you have any local senior centers or AARP chapters nearby, they often have volunteers who are very knowledgeable about navigating SSA processes and can provide guidance. Hang in there - the process does eventually work out, it's just unfortunately slow and old-fashioned.