As someone who's relatively new to understanding Social Security benefits, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation where my spouse is on SSDI and I'm approaching 62. The conflicting information from different SSA representatives is really concerning - it seems like this happens way too often based on everyone's experiences here. I'm definitely going to apply online when I'm eligible rather than risk getting incorrect information over the phone. It's frustrating that people are losing out on benefits they're entitled to because of inconsistent guidance from the agency itself. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and clearing up the confusion!

As a newcomer to this community and someone who's just starting to learn about Social Security benefits, I want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences! This thread has been incredibly educational. It's really eye-opening to see how many people have received conflicting information from SSA representatives about the same issue. The consensus here seems clear that you CAN apply for spousal benefits at 62 while your husband is on SSDI, which is great news for those in this situation. I'm bookmarking this discussion for future reference since I may be facing similar decisions down the road. It's reassuring to have a community where people share real-world experiences and help each other navigate these complex government systems. The advice about applying online to avoid phone confusion seems particularly valuable given all the stories about inconsistent information from different representatives.

This is exactly the solution I needed! I've been locked out of my MySocialSecurity account for over a week trying to access my disability appeal status. The login loop was driving me absolutely insane - I'd enter my credentials, it would accept them, then immediately bounce me back to the login screen with no error message whatsoever. I tried everything I could think of - clearing cache and cookies, different browsers, even tried from my phone and my local library computer. Nothing worked and I've spent countless hours on hold trying to reach someone at SSA with zero success. Just tried your incognito mode trick and I'm finally in! First attempt, worked like a charm. I honestly can't believe something so simple fixed what felt like a complete technical meltdown. You just saved me from having to take time off work to drive to my local office. It's really frustrating that we have to figure out these workarounds ourselves for such basic government services, especially when people are trying to access critical information about their disability appeals and benefit status. The fact that there's no official notice about this widespread issue on their website is pretty disappointing. But I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share real solutions that actually work. Based on all these comments, you've clearly helped tons of people who were probably ready to give up entirely. Thank you for taking the time to share this fix!

This is such a helpful thread! I've been having the exact same login loop problem for the past week trying to access my account to check my benefit verification letter. I tried everything - clearing cookies, different browsers, even restarted my router thinking it was a connection issue. Nothing worked and I was getting so frustrated since I need that letter for my apartment rental application. Just tried the incognito mode fix and it worked immediately! Can't believe something so simple solved what felt like a major technical disaster. You definitely saved me from having to take time off work to visit the SSA office. It's really concerning reading all these comments about how widespread this issue is, yet there's zero acknowledgment on their website. When people depend on accessing critical benefits information for housing applications, loan approvals, and other essential needs, we shouldn't have to figure out browser workarounds. But I'm so grateful for communities like this where we help each other when official support fails us. Thank you for sharing this solution!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Aaron. I went through this exact same frustrating experience when my mother passed away last year and I had to help my father apply for survivor benefits. The complete absence of any online tracking is honestly one of the most stressful parts of an already overwhelming process. What we discovered after weeks of anxiety is that survivor benefits are processed through a completely separate legacy system that has absolutely no integration with the MySocialSecurity portal. It's not that your application is lost or delayed - it's just that their technology for survivor claims is stuck in the past and can't provide any online visibility. Here's what worked for us during this difficult waiting period: - Call SSA at exactly 8:00 AM when they open for much shorter wait times - Ask specifically for your "survivor benefits application status" and request your claim control number - Have your late husband's SSN and the exact date you applied ready when you call - Try to get the name and direct contact info for your assigned Claims Representative My father's application took about 7.5 weeks from submission to receiving the approval letter, then another 10 days for the first payment to arrive. The relief when that letter finally came was incredible. Most importantly, he received full backpay covering the entire period from his application date, so nothing was lost financially during the waiting period. I know how nerve-wracking this uncertainty is when you're already dealing with grief and financial concerns. But based on all the experiences shared in this thread, your application is almost certainly progressing normally through their manual review process - you just can't see any of it because of their antiquated systems. At 5 weeks, you're definitely within the normal timeframe. The lack of transparency is maddening, but your claim isn't lost. Hang in there, and don't hesitate to call for updates since you're getting close to the typical approval window.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Aaron. I went through this exact same situation when my wife passed away about 14 months ago, and the complete lack of online visibility for survivor benefits is absolutely infuriating when you're already dealing with so much. What I discovered after multiple stressful phone calls is that survivor benefits are processed through a completely different system (MACADE) that has zero integration with the MySocialSecurity portal. It's not that your application is lost - it's just that their technology for survivor claims is decades behind everything else they do. A few things that helped me navigate this broken system: - Call at exactly 8:00 AM when SSA opens (wait times are much more manageable) - Ask specifically for your "survivor benefits claim status" and request your application control number - Have your husband's SSN and the date you applied ready before you call - Try to get the direct phone number for your local SSA office if possible My timeline was about 8 weeks from application to approval letter, then another 2 weeks for the first payment. The waiting was absolutely agonizing, but I did receive full backpay covering everything from my application date. At 5 weeks, you're definitely within the normal processing window based on everyone's experiences here. I know the uncertainty is incredibly stressful when you need that financial security, but your application is almost certainly progressing normally - you just can't see it because of their antiquated systems. The lack of transparency is maddening, but you're not alone in this frustrating experience. Hang in there.

I went through this exact transition with my daughter about 8 months ago and can definitely relate to the confusion! The phone interview is just a preliminary screening - you will absolutely receive the actual SSA-8240 form in the mail, usually within 7-10 business days like others have mentioned. One thing I wish I had known earlier is to start photographing receipts immediately and storing them digitally. I lost a few important receipts during the waiting period and had to recreate some expenses using bank statements. Also, don't forget to include the value of any specialized equipment or modifications you've purchased for your daughter - things like shower chairs, ramps, or adaptive technology all count toward your support calculation. The timeline from submitting our completed form to approval was about 3.5 months, but the retroactive payment covered the entire period back to when my benefits started. My daughter's monthly amount increased from $841 SSI to $1,623 DAC, plus she gained access to Medicare after 24 months instead of being limited to Medicaid. Start compiling everything now while you wait for the form - it made the actual completion much less stressful when we had everything organized ahead of time. You're on the right track!

I'm going through this exact same process right now with my 27-year-old son! We had our phone interview about 5 days ago and I was equally confused about whether those verbal questions were the "form" they mentioned. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that the phone interview is just preliminary screening and we should expect the actual SSA-8240 form to arrive in the mail within the next few days. I've already started organizing our documentation based on all the excellent advice in this thread. The tip about creating separate folders for each expense category is brilliant, and I'm definitely going to make a spreadsheet to track everything before the form arrives. One question for those who've been through this - did anyone have experience with including the cost of specialized therapy or support services? My son receives occupational therapy and speech therapy that we pay for out of pocket, and I want to make sure I'm documenting those expenses correctly as part of our support calculation. Thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences and timelines - it's making this stressful process so much more manageable knowing what to expect!

Thank you all so much for the helpful advice! I'm feeling a lot less overwhelmed now. I'm going to try that Claimyr service to speak with someone at SSA directly about both SSI and the DAC benefits (which I had no idea about!). I've already started gathering his medical records, and I'll look into the Special Needs Trust and guardianship options too. One last question - several of you mentioned appealing if we get denied initially. Is there a specific timeline for appeals? And would it be worth hiring a disability attorney right from the start, or should we try navigating the initial application ourselves?

I work as a disability advocate and want to emphasize a few additional points that might help your brother's case: First, when documenting his functional limitations, focus on specific examples of how his disability affects his ability to work. For instance, "needs supervision to complete tasks," "cannot handle money management," or "requires prompts for basic hygiene." The SSA evaluates work capacity, so concrete examples are crucial. Second, consider requesting consultative examinations through SSA if his recent medical records are limited. They'll arrange evaluations with their approved providers, which can strengthen the case with current assessments. Third, keep a detailed diary of his daily care needs starting now. Document what assistance he requires, when, and for how long. This becomes valuable evidence if you need to appeal. Finally, since your parents are aging, also explore your state's developmental disabilities services waiver programs. These can provide additional support services and sometimes help with housing transitions when family caregivers are no longer able to provide care. The process is definitely challenging, but with thorough documentation and persistence, many people in similar situations do get approved. Don't get discouraged if there are initial setbacks - it's unfortunately common in the system.