Can't reach Social Security Administration? Claimyr connects you to a live SSA agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the SSA
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the SSA drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm in a very similar situation with my son who has autism, and I was making this way more complicated than it needed to be. The key insight that finally clicked for me is understanding that SSA is essentially asking two completely different questions: 1. "Are you providing half support?" (for dependency/administrative classification) 2. "What food and shelter are you providing?" (for ISM payment reductions) The first question wants you to count EVERYTHING - medical copays, clothing, phone bills, transportation, entertainment, therapy costs, etc. The second question only cares about direct food and housing payments that might reduce his monthly SSI. So when I calculate all the support I provide (including non-food/shelter items), I'm definitely over the 50% threshold. But most of that support doesn't affect his SSI payment at all because it's not food or shelter related. I think what made this so confusing initially is that we naturally assume "support" means the same thing in both contexts, but SSA uses it for completely different administrative purposes. Once you understand that distinction, it becomes much clearer how to answer their questions honestly without worrying about accidentally hurting benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community knowledge has been more helpful than any official SSA explanation I've encountered!
This breakdown is perfect! I'm just starting to navigate SSI for my daughter and was getting so overwhelmed by all the conflicting information. Your two-question framework really simplifies what SSA is actually asking for. I was definitely making the mistake of thinking "support" meant the same thing in both contexts. It's such a relief to understand that I can help with therapy costs, adaptive equipment, clothing, and other quality-of-life expenses without worrying about reducing her benefits. I'm going to save this thread - it's been more educational than hours of trying to decipher the official SSA website! Thank you to everyone for sharing your real-world experiences.
I'm so grateful for this incredibly detailed discussion! As someone who just started the SSI application process for my adult son with disabilities, I was completely lost when I encountered that "half support" question. Like many of you, I was terrified that answering honestly would somehow hurt his benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences has been absolutely enlightening. The key insight that really helped me is understanding that SSA is essentially wearing "two different hats" - one for dependency classification (the half support question) and another for payment calculations (ISM rules). They're using the same information for completely different purposes. I've started making the expense tracking list that several people recommended, separating everything into "food/shelter" versus "other support." It's eye-opening to see how much I provide in non-ISM categories like medical copays, clothing, therapy costs, and technology that won't affect his payment at all. This thread has given me the confidence to answer SSA's questions honestly and comprehensively. More importantly, it's helped me realize that I can support my son's quality of life without fear of accidentally harming his financial security. The community knowledge shared here has been invaluable - thank you all for taking the time to explain your experiences so thoroughly!
Join the conversation
I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - this system is absolutely broken but don't give up! I finally got my appointment scheduled last month after trying for almost 3 weeks. What ended up working for me was a combination of several strategies mentioned here: 1. Called at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday (thanks to whoever mentioned mid-week timing!) 2. Used an auto-redial app when I kept getting busy signals 3. Had all my documents spread out on my desk before calling 4. Asked specifically about cancellation appointments when I got through The agent was actually really helpful once I finally reached someone - turns out they deal with this frustration all day too and genuinely want to help when they can. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you're calling about disability-related services, ask to be transferred to their disability determination services line. It's a separate queue that's usually less backed up than the general line. Also, pro tip - if you're put on hold, don't hang up even if it's taking forever. I waited 90 minutes one time but at least I knew I was in the queue. Way better than starting over with busy signals! Stay strong everyone, we'll all get through this eventually! 💪
This is such a comprehensive summary of all the best strategies! I really appreciate you mentioning the disability determination services line - that's super valuable info that I hadn't seen anywhere else. The tip about staying on hold even when it feels endless is so important too. I made the mistake of hanging up after 45 minutes thinking it was hopeless, but you're totally right that at least you're in the queue at that point. Your persistence really paid off and gives the rest of us hope! Thanks for sharing your success story and keeping everyone motivated 🙏
As someone who literally just went through this exact same nightmare, I can confirm that basically all the strategies mentioned in this thread actually work! I ended up combining several approaches: calling at exactly 8:00 AM on a Thursday, using the auto-redial trick when I got busy signals, and having all my info laid out beforehand. But here's something I discovered that I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're dealing with anything related to Medicare or retirement benefits, there are actually separate phone lines for those services that tend to be way less congested than the main number. The Medicare line is 1-800-772-1213 (same number but different menu options) and the retirement/benefits line has its own queue. Also, I found that being super specific about what documents I had ready when I finally got through helped speed things up. Instead of just saying "I have my paperwork," I'd say "I have my Social Security card, driver's license, and Form W-2 from last year" - it seemed to help the agent know exactly what they could help me with right away. The whole process took me about 10 days of trying different times and methods, but I finally got an appointment for the next week. Don't give up @fce3a9798c5c - this thread is proof that persistence really does pay off! 🙌
This is such valuable information! The separate phone lines for Medicare and retirement benefits is a total game changer - I had no idea those existed. That could save so many people from the main line nightmare. Your tip about being super specific with what documents you have ready is brilliant too. I can imagine how much time that saves the agent and probably makes them more willing to help when they know exactly what you've got prepared. 10 days of persistence sounds rough but getting an appointment the following week makes it all worth it! Thanks for adding these new strategies to an already amazing thread - this whole conversation has been like a survival guide for dealing with SSA 😊
Join the conversation
I'm 62 and will be facing this same decision in a few years, so I've been reading through this entire thread with great interest! The wealth of information and real experiences shared here is incredible. One aspect I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned yet: what happens if your employer goes through restructuring, layoffs, or other changes that could affect your health coverage between now and when you turn 65? I'm thinking about situations where you might suddenly lose that qualifying employer coverage before you planned to. If someone in Emily's situation (not on Social Security yet, planning to keep employer coverage) suddenly lost their job at, say, 65.5 years old, would they be able to enroll in Medicare immediately through a special enrollment period? Or would they need to wait until the next general enrollment period? I ask because my company has been going through some changes lately, and while I feel secure now, I want to make sure I understand all the potential scenarios so I can plan accordingly. The documentation advice everyone has shared is so valuable - I'm definitely going to start keeping those records now rather than waiting until I'm closer to 65. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling later! Thanks to everyone for creating such a helpful discussion. This is exactly the kind of practical guidance that's so hard to find elsewhere!
That's a really important question about unexpected job loss! If you lose your qualifying employer coverage at any time (including at 65.5 years old), you would be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in Medicare. You wouldn't have to wait for the general enrollment period. The key is that losing employer coverage is a "qualifying event" that triggers an 8-month SEP. This applies whether you lose coverage due to layoffs, company restructuring, retirement, or any other reason. You'd have 8 months from when your employer coverage ends to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B without penalties. If you're not yet 65 when you lose employer coverage, you'd typically be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, which would maintain your qualifying coverage status until you turn 65. Then you could transition to Medicare when your COBRA ends or when you turn 65, whichever comes later. Given the changes happening at your company, it might be worth asking HR about your COBRA options and how long continuation coverage would last in different scenarios. That way you'd have a clear backup plan if anything unexpected happens. The documentation advice everyone mentioned becomes even more important in these situations - having clear records of when your employer coverage started and ended will be crucial for proving you had qualifying coverage and avoiding any penalties. Great thinking to consider these "what if" scenarios ahead of time! It's much better to understand your options now rather than trying to figure it out in a stressful situation.
I'm 66 and went through this exact situation two years ago! Just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread. Like Emily, I was working full-time with great employer coverage and wasn't taking Social Security yet. The thing that surprised me most was how much my anxiety about "doing something wrong" was completely unnecessary. Since I wasn't on SS benefits, there literally was nothing I needed to do - no forms to fill out, no calls to make, nothing. I just kept my employer insurance and everything continued exactly as before. What I wish I had known earlier was to ask my employer about their "Medicare coordination" policies. It turned out my company had specific procedures for when employees do eventually transition to Medicare, including helping with the paperwork and timing. They even had a benefits specialist who walked me through the whole process when I was ready. Also, keep an eye on your employer's annual benefits enrollment materials once you turn 65. Some companies will flag you as "Medicare eligible" in their system and send you additional information about coordination of benefits, even if you're not enrolled in Medicare yet. The peace of mind came from understanding that I had complete control over the timing - no automatic enrollments, no deadlines I could accidentally miss. Just continue as normal until I was ready to make a change. This thread would have saved me so much worry back then!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Yuki! It's incredibly reassuring to hear from someone who was in the exact same situation just two years ago. Your point about the anxiety being unnecessary really resonates with me - I think that's been the biggest takeaway from this whole thread for me. I love that you mentioned asking about "Medicare coordination" policies specifically. That's such a concrete thing I can ask my HR department about, and it sounds like it could lead to discovering helpful resources I didn't even know existed. The idea that some companies have benefits specialists who can walk you through the eventual transition process is fantastic - definitely something worth exploring. Your observation about being flagged as "Medicare eligible" in their system is also really useful to know about. I'll make sure to pay extra attention to those annual enrollment materials once I turn 65. The reassurance about having complete control over the timing is exactly what I needed to hear. This whole thread has transformed what felt like a scary, confusing process into something much more manageable. Thanks for adding your real-world experience to help others of us who are approaching this transition!
Join the conversation
This thread has been incredibly helpful - thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm 61 and was planning to start SS at 62 next year, but I was really stressing about the earnings limit calculation. Reading about the Grace Year rule has been a game changer. I had no idea that pre-retirement earnings don't count at all toward the limit in your first year on benefits. I was worried I'd have to track every dollar I made from January onward! One thing I'm curious about - for those who have gone through this, how did you handle the transition from full-time work to part-time in terms of benefits coordination? I have health insurance through my current employer and I'm trying to figure out the best timing for everything. Did you find it better to have a gap between leaving your job and starting SS, or did most people start benefits right after retirement? Also, I keep seeing mentions of calling SSA directly. For those who successfully got through, what time of day seemed to work best? I've tried a few times during lunch hours but always get the busy message. Thanks again for all the practical advice - this community is amazing!
Great questions about the transition timing! I went through this exact situation last year. I found it helpful to start SS benefits right after my last day of work to avoid any gap in income, but the key thing is making sure your health insurance is sorted out first. Many people use COBRA to bridge the gap until Medicare kicks in at 65. As for calling SSA, I had the best luck calling right when they open at 7 AM local time. The wait times are usually much shorter first thing in the morning. Also try calling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - Mondays and Fridays tend to be busier. One tip for the transition: if you can, try to time your last day of work so it falls at the end of a month. That way your first SS payment aligns cleanly with the start of a new month, making the earnings tracking much simpler for that Grace Year monthly test. The logistics get a bit cleaner that way!
This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm 61 and planning to start SS at 62 in about 8 months, and I had the exact same confusion about how the earnings limit works in the first year. The Grace Year rule explanation has been a huge relief - I was panicking thinking I'd need to calculate every dollar from January onward. Knowing that only earnings AFTER you start collecting benefits count makes the planning so much easier. One thing I wanted to add based on my research: when you apply for benefits, SSA Form SSA-777 is specifically for reporting estimated earnings. They use this to determine if they should withhold any benefits upfront. I've learned it's better to be slightly conservative with your estimates since underestimating can lead to overpayment issues later. Also, for anyone doing contract or gig work after retiring, remember that estimated tax payments you might make quarterly don't affect the earnings limit calculation - SSA only cares about the gross wages/net self-employment income, not what you pay in taxes. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences - this practical guidance is worth its weight in gold when trying to navigate these complex rules!
This is exactly the kind of detailed information I've been looking for! Thank you for mentioning Form SSA-777 - I had no idea there was a specific form for reporting estimated earnings. That's going to be really helpful when I apply. Your point about being conservative with estimates makes total sense. From reading everyone's experiences here, it seems like the consequences of underestimating (potential overpayment issues) are much more problematic than slightly overestimating and maybe having some benefits withheld initially. The clarification about estimated tax payments not counting toward the earnings limit is really valuable too. I do some freelance work now and was worried about how quarterly tax payments might complicate things, so that's one less thing to stress about. This whole discussion has transformed what seemed like an overwhelming bureaucratic maze into something I can actually plan for. The real-world experiences everyone has shared are so much more helpful than trying to parse through the official SSA documentation. Thank you all!
Yara Khalil
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.
0 coins
Ravi Kapoor
•Welcome to the community! Great questions about penalties and cross-state issues. From my experience, there are typically no penalties for returning Social Security payments that were received after death - SSA understands these situations happen and they just want the money back. You usually just need to return the full amount, either by allowing them to reverse the direct deposit or by sending a check if it was a paper payment. Regarding cross-state issues, Social Security is federal so it doesn't matter which state the death occurs in versus where the bank account is located. However, banks might have different procedures depending on which state they're incorporated in or where the account was opened. When you call your mom's bank, you might want to ask specifically about any state-specific policies they follow. Your action plan sounds solid! One thing I'd add based on this discussion is to also ask the bank about any special procedures for out-of-state death certificates, since some institutions are pickier about which state issued the documentation. The preparedness approach everyone has outlined here really does make such a difference during what's already a stressful time.
0 coins
Ava Rodriguez
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.
0 coins
Isabella Tucker
•Welcome to the community! Your question about additional documentation is really important. In my experience helping my aunt through this process, most banks were satisfied with just the death certificate for joint accounts, but a few did ask for additional items. One bank requested a notarized affidavit confirming I was the surviving joint account holder (even though my name was clearly on the account). Another wanted to see my driver's license to verify my identity matched the account records. The credit union we dealt with was the most straightforward - they just needed the death certificate and verbal confirmation of some basic account details. For individual accounts (not joint), probate paperwork becomes much more relevant, but for joint accounts it's usually not needed since the surviving owner already has legal rights to the funds. My suggestion would be to ask your father's bank specifically: "For joint accounts when one owner dies, what documentation do you require beyond a death certificate?" Some banks also have different requirements if the death occurs out-of-state or if the account has been inactive for a certain period. The preparation approach everyone has outlined here really does work - having these conversations ahead of time removes so much uncertainty during an already difficult time. You're smart to be planning this out now!
0 coins