I'm new to this community but going through the exact same nightmare right now! My ex owes me $31,000 in back alimony and I've been stuck in this same catch-22 for 5 months. The local SSA office keeps telling me only the court can submit the garnishment order, but when I go to the courthouse they act like I'm speaking a foreign language. This thread has been absolutely incredible - I've been taking detailed notes on everyone's advice. The specific forms, addresses, and legal citations you've all shared are exactly what I needed. It's so validating to see that this isn't just my local court being difficult, but apparently a widespread problem with clerks not understanding federal garnishment procedures. I'm planning to go back to court next week armed with Form SSA-1990, printed SSA guidelines, and that Baltimore mailing address. @NebulaNinja and @Paolo Esposito - your step-by-step breakdowns are pure gold. I'm also bringing copies of Section 459 of the Social Security Act to show them this is federal law, not some unusual request. The persistence everyone has shown here is inspiring. Even though it shouldn't be our job to educate court staff about their own procedures, it's clear that's what it takes. Thank you all for creating such a comprehensive resource - this thread should be pinned as the definitive guide for Social Security garnishment issues!

I'm new to this community but currently dealing with this exact same frustrating situation! My ex-spouse owes me over $15,000 in back alimony and I've been stuck in the same bureaucratic loop for 2 months now. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I've literally been printing out everyone's advice to create my own step-by-step guide. The specific forms, addresses, and legal citations shared here are exactly what I needed to move forward. It's both frustrating and validating to see that court clerks being completely unfamiliar with SSA garnishment procedures is apparently a widespread problem. I'm planning to go back to my local courthouse next week with Form SSA-1990, printed SSA Program Operations Manual sections, and that Baltimore mailing address that multiple people have confirmed works. @NebulaNinja's detailed breakdown and @Paolo Esposito's explanation about requesting the specific "Income Withholding Order for Support" language have been particularly helpful. The consistency across everyone's experiences gives me real hope that persistence with the right documentation actually works, even though it's ridiculous we have to educate court staff about federal procedures they should already know. Thank you all for sharing your hard-won knowledge and creating such a comprehensive resource - this thread should be required reading for anyone dealing with Social Security garnishment issues!

As another newcomer who just joined after reading through this incredibly informative thread, I wanted to add my voice to the chorus of gratitude! I've been researching SSDI for weeks and getting more confused by the day trying to decipher the official SSA materials. This single thread has taught me more about the 5-month waiting period than hours of reading government websites. @Amina Diallo congratulations on your well-deserved approval after such a long battle! Your question sparked exactly the kind of discussion that so many of us desperately needed. The clarification that the waiting period starts from onset date (not approval date) was a lightbulb moment for me - I had been dreading the thought of waiting another 5 months after approval! What really stands out to me is how this community handles corrections and misinformation so respectfully. When the SSI vs SSDI payment differences got mixed up, everyone worked together to clarify things without making anyone feel bad about the mistake. That's the kind of supportive environment that makes people feel safe asking questions. To all the other newcomers - it's so encouraging to see how many of us have found this thread helpful! This community seems like exactly what we need to navigate such a complex and often overwhelming system. Looking forward to learning alongside all of you!

Just wanted to add my experience as another newcomer who found this thread incredibly helpful! I'm currently in the middle of my SSDI application process and was completely confused about the 5-month waiting period until reading through everyone's explanations here. The distinction between onset date vs approval date is so crucial and really not explained clearly anywhere in the official materials. @Amina Diallo congratulations on your approval after such a long fight - what a huge relief that must be! Your question has created such a valuable resource for so many people navigating this confusing system. What really impressed me about this community is how everyone jumped in to help clarify things, corrected misinformation respectfully, and shared practical tips that you just can't find in government publications. The banking notification tip and advice about checking the my Social Security account online are exactly the kinds of real-world details that make all the difference. As someone who's been feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the SSDI process, this thread has given me so much more confidence about what to expect. It's amazing to see how many other newcomers have found this discussion helpful too - clearly we all needed this kind of clear, supportive explanation! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences here.

I'm in a very similar situation - turning 65 next month and planning to work until 67 with good employer coverage. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! One question I have: when you apply for Medicare Part A initially, do they ask why you're not enrolling in Part B, or do you just simply not check that box on the application? I want to make sure I handle the initial application correctly to avoid any confusion later. Also, has anyone had experience with how this affects your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) - do you still receive those with just Part A coverage? I'm trying to understand all the administrative aspects before I start this process. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't find in the official Medicare handbooks!

I'm a Medicare enrollment specialist and wanted to add some clarity to this excellent discussion. Your two-step approach is definitely feasible, but here are some key points to ensure success: 1. **Initial Medicare Application**: When applying for Part A only, you'll complete Form CMS-40B. You can decline Part B by checking the appropriate box and selecting "I have group health plan coverage" as your reason. 2. **Documentation**: Get Form CMS-L564 completed by your employer NOW, even before you apply. This creates a paper trail showing your employer coverage was in effect when you declined Part B. 3. **Special Enrollment Rights**: Since you're declining Part B due to active employment, you'll have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period that begins the month after your employment OR group coverage ends (whichever comes first). 4. **Social Security Application Strategy**: When you apply for SS benefits later, bring copies of: your Medicare card showing Part A only, your completed CMS-L564, and a letter from your employer confirming your current group coverage. This documentation package will make it much easier for the SS representative to understand your situation. 5. **Pro tip**: Consider calling 1-800-MEDICARE about 2-3 weeks before your SS application to put a note in your Medicare file explaining your Part A-only status and intention to maintain it until employment ends. This approach works well when properly documented from the start!

This whole system makes me SO ANGRY. Why do they make everything so confusing??? I swear they do it on purpose so people make mistakes and get less money. My neighbor told me there's actually a special handbook SSA employees use that has all the REAL rules that they don't tell us about.

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned from meeting with a fee-only financial planner who specializes in Social Security. Since you're only one month in, you have a unique opportunity that most people don't get. The withdrawal option (Form SSA-521) is definitely worth calculating carefully. Here's what to consider: your current $1,450 at 62 would grow to roughly $2,070 at your FRA of 67. That's an 8% annual increase for each year you delay - hard to find that kind of guaranteed return anywhere else. But the real game-changer might be coordinating with your husband's strategy. If his benefit at FRA will be $3,200, waiting until 70 would give him about $4,220/month. Since you'll likely inherit his benefit as a survivor benefit someday, maximizing HIS benefit could be more important than fixing your own. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: consider consulting with a Social Security specialist before making any final decisions. The $300-500 consultation fee could save you tens of thousands over your lifetime. This stuff is way too complicated to figure out from online forums alone (though this community has been incredibly helpful!).

Great discussion here! One thing I'd add - make sure to apply for benefits about 3 months before you want them to start (so around April for July benefits). The SSA needs time to process your application, and you don't want delays that could push your start date later than planned. Also, keep detailed records of your monthly earnings once you start benefits. SSA will ask for wage statements during their annual review, and having everything organized will make that process much smoother. I learned this the hard way when I had to scramble to find pay stubs from months earlier! The strategy outlined by QuantumQuasar sounds solid for your situation. Just remember that the monthly limits can change each year, so double-check the 2025 numbers when they're officially announced.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact scenario in 2023. I was 64, earning about $45k/year, and decided to start benefits in August. The monthly earnings test was a game-changer for me! Here's what actually happened: I worked full-time Jan-July, then negotiated with my employer to go to 25 hours/week starting in August. My monthly earnings dropped to about $1,500, which was well under the monthly limit. I received my full SS benefit every month from August-December while still earning decent part-time income. One thing nobody mentioned - when you reduce your hours, make sure your employer understands it needs to be a permanent change in your work arrangement, not just a temporary reduction. SSA looks at your "substantial services" to an employer, not just earnings. If they think you're still working full-time but just getting paid less temporarily, it can complicate things. The whole process worked out great financially. I maximized my work income for 7 months, then got both part-time wages AND full SS benefits for 5 months. Definitely recommend this approach if your employer is flexible!