Has anyone else noticed their monthly payment amount is WAY LESS than expected??? My friend with lung cancer got approved last year and was shocked when he only got about $1900/month even though he made good money before getting sick. I heard SSDI has some weird maximum cap on benefits no matter how much you paid into the system!!!

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult time with your diagnosis and the financial stress that comes with it. I wanted to share some additional information that might help ease your worries. Since you mentioned your case was expedited with a handwritten note, that's actually a really positive sign. It shows the examiner took special care with your file and felt confident about the 09/15/2023 onset date recommendation. In my experience with family members who've gone through similar situations, when there's clear documentation like hospitalization records supporting the onset date, SSA rarely changes it in the final decision. One thing that might help with the waiting anxiety - you can create a my Social Security account online if you haven't already. Once your case is fully processed, you'll be able to see your benefit amount and payment schedule there. It's usually updated within a few days of the decision. Also, don't forget to ask about Medicare eligibility when you speak with SSA. With SSDI, you typically become eligible for Medicare 24 months after your entitlement date, but there are some exceptions for certain conditions that might apply to your situation. Take care of yourself and focus on your treatment. The financial piece will work itself out, and from what you've described, it sounds like everything is moving in the right direction.

To summarize what you should do: 1. Continue receiving your current benefit until your husband retires 2. When your husband files for his benefits, contact SSA (ideally make an appointment) to apply for your spousal benefit 3. Bring your marriage certificate, both birth certificates, and both Social Security cards to the appointment 4. You'll then receive your own $980 benefit plus a spousal add-on of approximately $570 (assuming your husband's benefit is $3,100) 5. The total will be $1,550, which is exactly 50% of your husband's benefit And just to be clear - this isn't SSI, this is regular Social Security retirement with a spousal benefit component.

One thing I'd add is to keep track of your husband's exact filing date because your spousal benefit increase should start the month after he files. Sometimes there can be a delay in processing, so if you don't see the adjustment in your payment within 2-3 months, follow up with SSA. Also, when you do contact them to apply for the spousal benefit, ask them to confirm the exact amount you'll receive - it's always good to have that in writing so you know what to expect in your monthly payment.

One more important thing to check during your appointment: make sure they've properly accounted for any Social Security-covered work you might have done in addition to your non-covered government job. Sometimes people have mixed employment histories with both covered and non-covered work, which can affect how the GPO is applied. If you have at least 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security in addition to your government work, you might be exempt from GPO entirely. This is rare but worth confirming.

I'm dealing with a similar GPO situation with my teacher's pension. One thing I learned from my local SSA office is that even if you're denied spousal benefits now, it's worth keeping track of any changes that might affect your eligibility later. For example, if your wife's Social Security benefit increases significantly due to future COLA adjustments, or if your pension amount changes, the GPO calculation could shift in your favor. Also, when you reach your own full retirement age, you might want to compare whether your own Social Security benefit (if you have one from those 7 years of private sector work) would be better than continuing to pursue spousal benefits. The appointment is definitely worth keeping - they can run all these scenarios for you.

This is extremely helpful - I had no idea about the representative payee responsibilities. I'll definitely keep detailed records if we're approved. We'd probably use some for her current expenses and save the rest for college. Thank you!

As someone who works with families navigating Social Security benefits, I want to emphasize how important it is to gather ALL the documentation before your appointment. In addition to what others have mentioned, you'll also want to bring any school records showing your daughter lived with her grandfather, any medical records that list him as guardian, and if possible, any financial records showing he supported her (like tax returns where she was claimed as a dependent). The key thing SSA looks for is proof that the grandparent was actually providing support and the child was dependent on them. Also, don't be discouraged if your first application gets denied - this happens frequently with grandchild survivor benefits because the criteria can be complex. If that happens, you have 60 days to appeal and it's often worth getting help from a Social Security attorney who specializes in survivor benefits. Good luck with the process!

One more thing to be aware of - if your father was receiving Social Security and your mother is still living, she may be eligible for survivor benefits if her own benefit amount is less than his. She should contact SSA about this once everything has settled down a bit.

I'm so sorry for what you're going through with your father. The community has given you excellent advice already. Just to add one more practical tip - when you do call SSA to report his passing, have his Social Security number, date of birth, and death certificate information ready. They'll ask for these details. Also, keep a record of when you called, who you spoke with, and any confirmation numbers they give you. This documentation can be helpful if any issues come up later. Sending you and your family strength during this difficult time.