I'm going through a similar situation with my father right now, so I really feel for your brother-in-law. One thing that helped us was creating a detailed timeline of his work history and medical treatments to submit as additional evidence. Also, has he considered reaching out to a disability attorney? Many work on contingency (they only get paid if he wins), and they often know exactly what documentation SSA needs to see. Sometimes having professional representation can make a difference in how quickly cases are processed. In the meantime, you might want to help him look into local food banks, utility assistance programs, or other community resources to help stretch his savings while he waits. The waiting period is genuinely one of the hardest parts of this whole process.

I went through this exact situation with my uncle a few years ago when he was 63. The financial stress while waiting for SSDI approval is absolutely brutal, but I'm so glad we convinced him to stick it out rather than switch to early retirement. A few things that helped us during the wait: 1. **Contact his state representative's office** - Many people don't know that congressional offices can do "case work" to check on federal benefit applications. They can't change the outcome, but they can sometimes get clearer timelines and ensure nothing is stuck in bureaucratic limbo. 2. **Document everything** - Keep records of every phone call, every piece of mail, every medical appointment. If there are any delays or issues, having a paper trail helps. 3. **Consider temporary assistance** - While waiting, he might qualify for SNAP benefits, Medicaid, or local emergency assistance programs. These can help bridge the gap without affecting his SSDI application. The backpay from SSDI really is substantial - my uncle received about $18,000 when his approval finally came through after 7 months. That would have been completely lost if he'd switched to early retirement. Hang in there - I know it's easier said than done, but the financial difference between SSDI and early retirement benefits over his lifetime will likely be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sofia. Losing a spouse is incredibly difficult, and navigating these benefit rules while grieving can feel overwhelming. Based on what others have shared, it definitely sounds like applying is worth it even with the earnings test reduction. The fact that withheld benefits get credited back to you later at full retirement age means you're not permanently losing that money - just getting it later when you might need it even more. One thing I'd suggest is calling SSA early in the morning (like right when they open at 7am) to avoid some of the phone wait times, or try that Claimyr service Connor mentioned if you keep having trouble getting through. Having all your documents ready beforehand will make the actual application much smoother. The most important thing is that you have options here, and taking survivor benefits at 60 while working is definitely one of them. Even if the monthly amount seems small after reductions, every bit helps with those bills you mentioned. You've got this!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sofia. Going through this while grieving must be incredibly difficult. I wanted to add one more perspective that might help with your decision. Given your situation - 60 years old, working 32 hours at $24/hour (roughly $40k annually) - you would indeed face benefit reductions due to exceeding the $22,320 earnings limit. However, consider this: even a reduced survivor benefit could provide a financial cushion for unexpected expenses or allow you to reduce your work hours if needed for your health or well-being. Also, remember that you have flexibility here. If you find the reduced benefit amount isn't worth the hassle, you can actually withdraw your application within 12 months and repay any benefits received. This gives you a "trial run" to see if it works for your situation. One practical tip: if possible, try to track your monthly earnings. If you have any months where you earn less than $1,860 (the monthly limit), you'd receive your full survivor benefit for those months regardless of your annual total. The people here have given you excellent advice about applying. Even small amounts can add up over time and provide peace of mind during this difficult transition.

DONT forget to ask about survivors benefits for YOU after she passes!!! My neighbor got widower benefits after his wife died from cancer and it really helped him!!! The SSA doesn't always tell you everything you're eligible for unless you ASK SPECIFICALLY!!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis. This is such a difficult situation, and you're being incredibly thoughtful to research all the options during this challenging time. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like SSDI could provide meaningful financial advantages - potentially $200+ more per month if she's below her full retirement age. With pancreatic cancer being on the Compassionate Allowance list, the approval process should be much faster than typical disability cases. One practical tip: when gathering medical documentation, make sure her oncologist's records explicitly state "pancreatic cancer" and include the terminal prognosis. Sometimes medical records use technical terms or codes that might not trigger the automated Compassionate Allowance screening as quickly. Also, consider having someone help you with the application process if possible - whether it's a family member, friend, or even a disability advocate. During such an emotionally draining time, having support with paperwork can be invaluable. Whatever you decide, you're clearly doing everything you can to ensure your wife is taken care of. That speaks volumes about your character during what must be an incredibly painful time.

I just went through this process last month! For 2024 income, I put "estimated" and entered my best guess. The online system accepted it without any issues. One tip: have all your documents ready before you start the online application. The system times out after a while, and you might lose your progress if you have to go hunting for information mid-application. I learned this the hard way!

I went through something similar when I applied for SS benefits back in 2019. I was self-employed with irregular income and hadn't filed my current year taxes yet either. The SSA rep I spoke with told me that for the current year, they really just need a reasonable estimate - they're not expecting perfect accuracy since the year isn't complete. Since you're already past full retirement age at 67, you don't have to worry about the earnings test at all, which makes this even simpler. Your casino winnings won't reduce your benefits in any way. My advice: go ahead and apply now with your best estimate for 2024. If you've had some winnings so far this year, estimate based on that pattern. If you haven't had much yet, you can even put zero or a conservative low estimate. The SSA can always adjust things later if needed, but delaying your application means delaying your first benefit payment, which could cost you money. The processing time can indeed be several months, so getting started sooner rather than later is definitely the right move!

As someone who recently helped my elderly father through this process, I wanted to share a few things that made a big difference for us: First, if you're close to your full retirement age, consider whether you want to start benefits immediately or delay them. Each year you delay past full retirement age (up to age 70), your monthly benefit increases by about 8%. The application will ask about your preferred start date. Second, have your tax information handy - not necessarily to upload, but they may ask about your income from last year, especially if you're still working. This helps them calculate any potential reductions in benefits. One thing that really helped was doing a practice run on the SSA website's benefit calculator first. It gave us a good sense of what to expect and helped identify any potential issues with his earnings record before starting the actual application. Also, if you run into any technical issues or need to speak with someone, I found that calling right at 8 AM when they open gives you the best chance of shorter wait times. The afternoons are brutal. The whole process took about 50 minutes for us, but having everything organized beforehand made it much less stressful. Good luck with your application!

I'm getting ready to apply for Social Security benefits too and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I wanted to add one more tip that my neighbor mentioned when she went through this process recently. She said to make sure you have your earnings statement (the one you get annually from SSA) handy when you apply. Even though they have all your earnings history in their system, she found it useful to reference when they asked about specific years or employers. You can access this through your mySocialSecurity account if you don't have the paper version. Also, she mentioned that if you've ever had periods of unemployment where you collected benefits, they may ask about those dates too. It wasn't a big deal, but just another piece of info to have ready. One question for those who've completed this recently - did anyone have issues with the direct deposit setup? I'm wondering if I should set up a new account just for Social Security or if using my regular checking account is fine. Thanks again to everyone who's shared their experiences here - you've all made this feel so much more manageable!