This has been such an educational thread! As someone who's about to apply for Social Security benefits myself, I was already worried about scam calls, but reading through all these experiences has really opened my eyes to how sophisticated these scammers can be. The caller ID spoofing information is particularly alarming - I definitely would have been more trusting of a call that appeared to come from the official SSA number. What I'm taking away from all this excellent advice is that there's really no downside to being overly cautious. The verification methods everyone has shared (calling back through the official number, asking for employee IDs, requesting written documentation, checking MySSA account first) seem foolproof when used together. I especially appreciate learning that legitimate SSA representatives are trained to expect and encourage this kind of verification - that takes away the worry about seeming uncooperative. Thank you all for creating such a comprehensive guide to staying safe during the SSA application process!

This thread is absolutely fantastic! As someone who just submitted my Social Security application yesterday and was literally Googling "how to avoid SSA scams" when I found this community, I can't tell you how relieved I am to have found all this practical advice. The combination of technical insights (like the caller ID spoofing warning) and real-world experiences from people who've actually been through this process is incredibly valuable. I'm definitely implementing the multi-layered verification approach: checking MySSA account first, using the official callback number, asking for employee IDs and extensions, documenting everything, and requesting written documentation when possible. The reassurance that legitimate SSA reps are trained to expect and appreciate caution is huge for me - I was worried about being rude or uncooperative. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - this community is a treasure trove of protective information!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might be helpful for your planning. My daughter has Down syndrome and we went through the SSI to DAC transition about three years ago when my husband reached his FRA. Regarding timing, the actual application process for DAC benefits took about 4-5 months from start to finish in our case. However, we were fortunate that SSA approved the retroactive benefits back to the protective filing date, so she didn't lose any money during the processing time. The key was filing the application within the first few months after my husband became eligible. One practical tip: when we made the transition, our daughter's monthly benefit amount actually increased by about $200, but we lost some state benefits that were tied to her SSI status. Make sure to check with all the agencies that currently provide services to your son (vocational rehabilitation, transportation assistance, etc.) to see how the change might affect those programs. Also, I can confirm what others mentioned about concurrent benefits - for the first year after transitioning, our daughter received a small supplemental SSI payment because her initial SSDI amount was below the SSI threshold. SSA handled the calculations automatically, which was a relief because the math looked impossibly complex when I tried to figure it out myself! This community has been such a valuable resource for navigating these decisions. Good luck with your planning!

I'm new to this community but have been following this discussion with great interest as we're facing a very similar situation with my disabled son. I wanted to add one more consideration that I discovered during my research: the potential impact of your husband's work history on your son's DAC benefit amount. From what I understand, the DAC benefit is calculated based on your husband's earnings record over his entire working career, not just his recent years. So if your husband had some lower-earning years earlier in his career, it might be worth checking whether he has enough work credits to maximize the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) that your son's benefit will be based on. I've also been wondering about the interaction between DAC benefits and any work your son might be able to do in the future. I know SSI has strict earnings limits, but I'm curious if the work incentives are different for SSDI recipients. Has anyone here had experience with their disabled adult child working part-time while receiving DAC benefits? This thread has been incredibly informative - thank you all for sharing your experiences and knowledge. It's such a relief to find a community where people understand the complexities of planning for disabled adult children!

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what I've learned from my research and speaking with SSA representatives. The key thing to understand is that there are really two separate calculations happening here: 1. Your son's DAC benefit amount (50% of your husband's PIA - this doesn't change based on when your husband files) 2. The Family Maximum Benefit limits that could reduce everyone's payments From what I've gathered, if your husband is the only one receiving benefits on his record initially, the family maximum won't be an issue. But once your son starts receiving DAC benefits, the combined payments might hit that ceiling, especially if your husband took reduced benefits early. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - consider whether your earnings record might provide better benefits for your son than your husband's. DAC benefits can be claimed on either parent's record, so it's worth having SSA calculate both scenarios. Also, regarding timing - your son can potentially start receiving DAC benefits as soon as your husband begins receiving retirement benefits, assuming he meets the disability requirements and has the proper documentation. The age 18/22 confusion often comes from mixing up DAC benefits with student benefits or other programs. Definitely start gathering all medical documentation now and consider that SSI application to establish the disability determination!

I'm a newcomer to this community but have been researching this exact situation for my own family. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! One thing I want to emphasize that several people have touched on - the timing of starting the disability application process is critical. Even though your son is only 17, beginning the SSI application now can establish that crucial disability determination before he turns 18. This creates a paper trail that will be invaluable when applying for DAC benefits later. From what I've learned, the Social Security Administration requires extensive medical documentation proving the disability began before age 22. Having that SSI application in process (even if denied due to family income) creates an official record of the disability evaluation that can streamline future DAC applications. Also, I noticed someone mentioned considering both parents' earnings records for potential DAC benefits - this is huge! Many families don't realize they can choose which parent's record provides better benefits for their disabled adult child. Definitely have SSA run calculations for both scenarios. The complexity of how early retirement affects family maximum benefits seems to vary case by case, so getting those personalized calculations from SSA will be essential for your decision-making process. Good luck navigating this - it's overwhelming but you're asking all the right questions!

This thread is such a valuable resource for anyone dealing with post-death SSA complications. I'm currently helping my elderly neighbor organize her affairs and had no idea these kinds of bureaucratic tangles could happen. The specific advice about requesting "Administrative Unfreezing" from the Payment Center (not local offices) is gold - I'm definitely saving this information. @TommyKapitz, I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother and the additional stress this situation has caused. It's terrible that families have to become experts in government procedures during such difficult times. Your persistence in documenting and sharing this experience will undoubtedly help others avoid some of the confusion you've faced. The fact that congressional offices can actually cut through this red tape is something more people need to know. It sounds like the combination of knowing the right terminology and having official advocacy made all the difference in your case.

This is an incredibly informative thread that highlights a serious systemic issue with SSA's post-death processing. As someone who works in estate planning, I see families struggle with these exact situations regularly, and it's clear that SSA's internal systems aren't properly coordinated. The "Administrative Unfreezing" procedure mentioned here is crucial knowledge that should be more widely known. I'm going to share this information with my professional network because too many families get caught in this exact bureaucratic loop without knowing the specific terminology or escalation paths that actually work. @TommyKapitz, I'm sorry for your loss and the additional stress this has caused. Your documentation of this process and willingness to share updates is invaluable for others who will inevitably face similar situations. The combination of congressional involvement and knowing the right procedural language seems to be the key to breaking through these system conflicts. For anyone reading this in the future: save this thread and don't hesitate to contact your representative's office early. These constituent services exist specifically to help with federal agency problems like this.

Thank you all for this incredibly detailed and helpful discussion! As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by how much practical knowledge has been shared here. I'm in a similar situation with my elderly mother who receives Social Security, and this thread has been eye-opening. The distinction between what SSA actually does (stops payments and reclaims benefits) versus what banks might do (their own freezing policies) is so important to understand. A few additional questions based on what I've read: For those who had to return Social Security payments, did you face any penalties or just have to return the amount? And has anyone dealt with this situation across state lines - like if the death occurs in one state but the bank account is in another? I'm definitely going to follow the action plan that's been outlined here: call my mom's bank for their specific policies, get it in writing, set up backup emergency funds, and know to call SSA first when the time comes. This community is incredibly valuable for this kind of real-world guidance that you just can't get from official websites.

This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! As a newcomer to this community, I'm blown away by the depth of real-world experience everyone has shared. I'm currently helping my 75-year-old father plan for these situations, and this discussion has completely changed my understanding of what actually happens. The clarification that SSA doesn't freeze accounts but individual banks have their own policies is crucial - I was operating under the same misconception as the original poster. The specific experiences people shared (Wells Fargo's 5-day hold, Chase's 10-day policy, credit unions being more flexible) are incredibly helpful for planning purposes. I'm particularly grateful for the timing advice about calling SSA first before notifying the bank - that seems like it could prevent significant bureaucratic delays. And the suggestion to get bank policies in writing is brilliant. One quick question for those who've been through this: Did any of you encounter situations where the bank required additional documentation beyond just a death certificate, like probate paperwork or affidavits? I want to make sure we're prepared with everything that might be needed. Thank you all for creating such a comprehensive resource on this topic. This is exactly the kind of practical guidance that makes a real difference during difficult times.