My neighbor's kid got approved for benefits continuation by enrolling in a program that combined GED prep with vocational training. It was technically a "transition program" for students with special needs. Maybe look into whether your county has something similar? Sometimes they're run through the school district or county services.

I went through something similar with my nephew a few years ago. The key thing SSA looks for is that the education is "full-time" - typically 20+ hours per week. For GED prep, you'll need documentation showing he's actively enrolled in a structured program, not just self-studying. Many community colleges offer GED prep programs that would qualify, and some even have integrated vocational components. The audio engineering mentorship sounds great, but it needs to be part of a formal training program to count for SSA purposes. Trade schools or community colleges often have audio production certificates that could work. I'd recommend calling your local SSA office to discuss his specific situation - they can sometimes provide guidance on what documentation they'd need to approve the continuation. Don't wait too long though - you'll want to have everything in place before his 18th birthday to avoid any gaps in benefits.

Just throwing this out there - have u checked if ur state offers paid family leave? Some states like CA, NY, NJ have programs where u can get paid while taking care of a family member. Its not a ton of money but its something. Also check if his cancer treatment center has social workers - they often know about resources that regular people dont know exist.

I'm so sorry you and your husband are going through this difficult time. The financial stress on top of a cancer diagnosis must be overwhelming. Since others have covered the SSDI and spousal benefits well, I wanted to mention a few other resources that might help bridge the gap while you're waiting for benefits decisions: 1. CancerCare (cancercare.org) offers financial assistance grants specifically for cancer patients and their families. They can help with things like transportation, childcare, and home care costs. 2. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has a co-pay assistance program that might help with treatment costs, freeing up other funds for living expenses. 3. Many utility companies have hardship programs that can reduce or defer bills when someone in the household has a serious illness. Call each utility company directly to ask about their medical hardship programs. 4. Food banks and local churches often have emergency assistance funds for families dealing with medical crises. Don't hesitate to reach out - that's exactly what these programs are for. 5. GoFundMe or similar crowdfunding can sometimes help with immediate needs while waiting for official assistance. The combination of all these smaller helps can sometimes make a real difference while you're navigating the longer government processes. Wishing you and your husband strength during this challenging time.

After you get this sorted out, set a reminder for yourself each May to report any new COLA increases. That's what I do for my husband's pension. Just mark it on your calendar so you don't forget - dealing with an overpayment later is much more hassle than making a quick report each year!

This is such a common issue that catches people off guard! I went through something similar with my mom's state pension. Here's what I learned from our experience: 1. **Call the SSA field office directly** - don't use the 800 number if you can help it. They're much more knowledgeable about WEP cases. 2. **Bring ALL documentation** - pension statements showing the original amount and each COLA increase with dates. This makes the process much smoother. 3. **Ask about the "de minimis" rule** - sometimes very small pension increases don't actually change your WEP reduction if you're already at the maximum reduction amount. 4. **Request a benefit verification letter** after they update everything so you have proof of the correct benefit amount going forward. The good news is that most SSA offices are understanding when it's clearly an honest mistake and you're being proactive about fixing it. They deal with WEP confusion all the time. Don't panic - just get it sorted out as soon as you can!

I want to thank everyone for their insights. I'm going to go ahead and apply now, even though it looks like I might not get anything after the GPO reduction with my CSRS pension. At least I'll know for sure, and there's always the small chance there might be some special circumstance I'm not aware of that could result in a small benefit. Since there's no advantage to waiting longer, I might as well get an official determination.

Good luck with your application! I'd recommend calling SSA first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) to avoid the long hold times. Also, when you do apply, make sure you have all your documentation ready - your CSRS pension statement, marriage certificate, and your husband's Social Security information. Even if the GPO eliminates your spousal benefit, having an official determination letter can be helpful for tax purposes and other benefits you might be eligible for in the future.

did u try calling ur congressperson? my aunt had a problem with SS and she called her congressmans office and they fixed it in like 2 days

I'm really sorry you're going through this - it's such a stressful situation to be in. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you have several good options to pursue simultaneously: 1. File the formal appeals (SSA-561 and SSA-632 forms) as soon as possible - these seem to be the most direct path to getting your benefits restored while you're dealing with the overpayment issue. 2. Try that Claimyr service that Ethan mentioned to actually get through to a Claims Specialist who has the authority to adjust your withholding rate. The regular phone reps clearly don't have the same level of knowledge about these policies. 3. Request the detailed breakdown of how they calculated your overpayment amount - if there are any errors, that could significantly reduce what you owe. 4. Consider reaching out to your congressional representative's office for help - it's free and they have direct contacts at SSA who can often resolve these issues quickly. The key thing seems to be that you absolutely DO have the right to a reduced payment plan, but you need to get to the right person who knows the proper procedures. Don't let them tell you otherwise - the policy is clearly written that you can request reduced withholding for financial hardship. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself. This sounds like a bureaucratic mistake that can be fixed once you get to someone who knows what they're doing.