Trying to apply for SS survivor benefits for January 2025 - How far in advance is required?

For survivor benefits, you should ideally apply 3-4 months before you want them to begin. So for a January 2025 start, applying in September or October 2024 is perfect timing - you're not too late at all. SSA is perpetually backlogged, especially for more complex cases involving survivor benefits with WEP/GPO considerations. If you can't get your application submitted until after January, they will backpay you to your entitlement date as long as you indicate January 2025 as your intended start date on your application. For your specific WEP/GPO questions - those are legitimately complex and you really do need to speak with a knowledgeable claims specialist. Most of the front-line staff at local offices aren't well-versed in these calculations.

u should just apply online!!! i did that for my retirement benefits last year and never had to talk to anyone on the phone. took like 30 mins tops

I faced the EXACT same issue when applying for survivor benefits with WEP/GPO considerations! The online system is NOT equipped to handle these complex situations properly. You absolutely NEED to speak with a Tier 2 specialist at SSA who understands government pension offset rules. Here's what worked for me: I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an SSA agent in under 10 minutes after weeks of failed attempts. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I got through to SSA, I specifically asked for someone who handles WEP/GPO calculations for survivor benefits. The first person transferred me to a specialist who was incredibly helpful and got everything set up correctly. Worth every penny to avoid the endless busy signals and disconnects!

i waited too long to apply for my ss and lost 2 months of payments they WILL NOT backpay if u miss the window!!!! apply NOW!!!!

The whole system is DESIGNED to be impossible to navigate! They WANT you to give up so they don't have to pay you. I spent 8 MONTHS trying to get my survivor benefits straightened out with my late husband's federal pension affecting the calculations. Every person told me something different about WEP/GPO. They lost my paperwork TWICE and made me restart the application. The only way I finally got it resolved was by contacting my congressional representative's office. Their constituent services person called SSA and magically I had an appointment with a specialist the next week. Try that route if you keep hitting walls.

I had the same frustration when applying for my retirement benefits (not survivors, but still). I suggest trying to call at weird times - I finally got through at 7:05 AM on a Tuesday, right when they opened. Most people don't know they open at 7 AM (at least in my time zone). My husband receives benefits affected by WEP because of his state teacher's pension, and we learned that only certain SSA employees are trained on these calculations. When you do get through, immediately ask for someone who specializes in government pension offset cases. The regular reps often give incorrect information about WEP/GPO. Also, document EVERYTHING. Write down who you spoke with, when, what they told you. It helped us tremendously when we had to correct some misinformation later.

my aunt got survior benefets and she said you have to do it 6 months ahead but she might be wrong lol

Update: I finally got through to SSA this morning! I took the advice about calling right when they open (7 AM in my time zone) and only waited about 20 minutes. The representative confirmed I'm not too late for January benefits and helped me submit my application. She did transfer me to a specialist for my WEP/GPO questions, and I learned my survivor benefit will be reduced by about $570 due to my husband's government pension. Not great news, but at least I know what to expect now. Thank you all for your help and suggestions! What a relief to have this submitted finally.

Congratulations on getting through, Laura! That's such a relief after all the frustration you've been dealing with. The early morning call strategy really does work - I've had success with that approach too. Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this thread: if you're dealing with WEP/GPO calculations, it's worth double-checking the math when you get your award letter. The government pension offset can be complex, especially when there are multiple pension sources or if the pension amount changes over time. Also, keep copies of everything related to your husband's pension records - SSA sometimes requests additional documentation months later to verify the offset calculations. Having it ready can save you from delays in your payments. Great job persisting through this process! January will be here before you know it.