I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation! Filed my retirement application in early February for an August start date, and it's been stuck at "2/3 complete" for almost 6 weeks now. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both comforting (knowing I'm not alone) and informative about what might be causing the delay. I worked for a few different government contractors over the years and also lived in Germany for 18 months in the early 90s, so either of those could be triggering a manual review. The lack of communication from SSA is the most frustrating part - you'd think they could at least send an automated message saying "your application requires additional review" instead of leaving us completely in the dark! I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service that several people have recommended, and also check my earnings record more carefully to see if there are any discrepancies. Thanks to everyone, especially Isaac, for sharing such detailed insights about what goes on behind the scenes. It's incredibly helpful to have this kind of real-world guidance when the official SSA website tells you basically nothing!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since it sounds so similar to what many of you are going through. I filed my retirement application in December for a March start date, and it was stuck at "2/3 complete" for over 8 weeks. Like Jessica, I had worked abroad (in the UK for 3 years) which apparently triggered the manual review. What finally worked for me was a combination of approaches - I used the Claimyr service Ruby mentioned (it really does work!), sent a secure message through the portal, AND contacted my congressman's office. The congressional inquiry seemed to light a fire under them - I got a call from SSA within 48 hours and my application was approved within a week after that. The agent told me they had been waiting for verification of my UK earnings but never bothered to tell me that was the holdup. My advice is to be persistent and try multiple channels at once. Don't just wait and hope - take action! The system is definitely broken but there are ways to work around it if you're proactive.

As a newcomer to this community, I found this entire discussion incredibly informative! I'm currently in the process of applying for Social Security benefits and was wondering about payment reliability, so seeing all these real experiences is really valuable. It seems like the consensus is that delays of 2-3 days can occasionally happen due to processing issues or system updates, but SSA payments are generally very reliable. I especially appreciate the practical tips about checking with your bank for fraud holds and using services like Claimyr to get through to SSA when needed. The advice about waiting until day 3-4 before calling seems reasonable, and knowing that payments continue even during government shutdowns is reassuring. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread will definitely be my reference if I encounter any payment issues once my benefits start!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful experiences! I'm particularly grateful for the practical advice about the 3-4 day waiting period before getting concerned, and the tip about checking with banks for fraud detection holds - I never would have thought of that. The mention of Claimyr for getting through to SSA phone lines is also really useful to know about. It's reassuring to see that while payment delays can be stressful, they seem to resolve fairly quickly in most cases. This thread is definitely going in my bookmarks as a reference for the future. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences!

I'm also new to this community and found this thread while searching for answers about my own Social Security application delays! Applied in early December for May benefits and I've been stuck on step 2 for about 10 weeks now. I was absolutely convinced something had gone wrong with my application until I discovered this discussion. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a relief - it's incredible how consistent the pattern is across all of our stories. The broken online portal, the impossible phone system, but ultimately benefits that arrive on time despite the chaos. It really shows how systemic these issues are with SSA's technology. What strikes me most is how this thread has become the most valuable resource for understanding what actually happens during the Social Security application process. The official SSA guidance is so vague and unhelpful compared to the real-world experiences shared here. This community discussion has probably prevented so much unnecessary anxiety for people going through this stressful process. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories and advice - knowing that I'm not alone in this waiting game has made such a difference in my peace of mind!

I'm new to this community and found this thread while frantically searching for answers about my own Social Security application! Applied in mid-January for June benefits and have been stuck on step 2 for about 6 weeks now. I was starting to think I'd made some terrible mistake in my application until I found this discussion. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a huge relief - it's incredible how universal this problem is! The pattern is so consistent across all the stories: broken online portal that never updates, phone system that's impossible to get through, but somehow benefits that still start on time despite all the technical chaos. What really amazes me is how this thread has become the most honest and comprehensive guide to what actually happens during the SSA application process. The official website is so vague and unhelpful compared to all the real-world experiences shared here. This community discussion has probably saved dozens of people from months of unnecessary panic attacks! The consistent message that benefits typically arrive on schedule even when the website shows no progress has given me so much peace of mind. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories - you've created an invaluable resource that honestly should be required reading for anyone applying for Social Security!

I'm in a very similar situation - 62 and recently laid off, navigating this whole unemployment + Social Security maze! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. It sounds like the consensus is clear: unemployment benefits don't count toward the SS earnings limit, but state unemployment offices may reduce your unemployment benefits based on your SS income. The variation by state seems to be the biggest wildcard here. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - has anyone dealt with timing issues? Like if your first SS payment comes in the middle of a unemployment certification period? I'm wondering if there are any reporting quirks to watch out for during that transition. Also, for those who've been through this - how long did it typically take to get definitive answers from your state unemployment office? I'm prepared for some phone tag but trying to set realistic expectations. Thanks to everyone who's shared their real-world experiences. It's so much more valuable than trying to decipher government websites!

I'm 61 and facing a potential layoff situation, so this thread has been incredibly educational! Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that while unemployment benefits don't count against the SS earnings limit, the real complexity comes from how individual states handle the interaction between the two benefits. A couple of questions for those who've navigated this successfully: 1. For those whose states reduced unemployment benefits - did you find it was still financially worthwhile to collect both, or would you have been better off waiting to file for SS until unemployment ran out? 2. Has anyone dealt with this situation if you get a job offer while collecting both benefits? I'm wondering about the logistics of stopping unemployment vs. managing the SS earnings limit if you go back to work. The advice about keeping detailed records and having taxes withheld from both sources is really valuable. It sounds like the key is getting accurate information from your specific state's unemployment office rather than relying on general guidance. Thanks to everyone who's shared their real experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical information that's impossible to find in official government resources!

I'm so sorry for your loss. I went through this exact same situation when my wife passed away two years ago, and I remember being just as confused by the paperwork. To answer your question directly: No, SSA will not mail separate checks to each of your children. The $255 lump-sum death benefit comes to you as the surviving spouse as a single payment. The reason they ask for all the children's information is for their records and to determine if any might be eligible for ongoing survivor benefits (which is very rare for adult children unless they're disabled). The $1,925 you mentioned is definitely your estimated monthly survivor benefit at age 63, not the death benefit. At 63, you'd receive about 83.5% of the full benefit amount. You could wait until your full retirement age (67) to get 100%, but that's a personal decision based on your financial needs. The $255 death benefit should be processed automatically within 2-3 weeks once they verify you were living together when your husband passed. I know it seems like a ridiculously small amount - it hasn't been updated since 1954, which is honestly disgraceful. I'd recommend requesting a written estimate from SSA showing what your survivor benefits would be at different claiming ages (63 vs 67) so you can make an informed decision. Take your time with this choice - it can significantly impact your long-term financial security. Hang in there. The paperwork is confusing enough without having to deal with it while grieving.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I can completely understand your confusion - I work as a social worker and help people navigate Social Security benefits, and this is one of the most common sources of confusion I see. You're getting great advice here. To summarize the key points: The $255 lump-sum death benefit goes directly to you as the surviving spouse, not to your children. It's a single payment that should arrive within 2-3 weeks. The $1,925 figure is almost certainly your estimated monthly survivor benefit if you claim at age 63. One thing I'd add is that when you do get through to SSA (and I second the Claimyr recommendation - it really works), ask specifically for a "survivor benefit estimate" that shows your monthly payment amounts at different ages. This will help you decide whether to claim now at the reduced rate or wait until 67 for the full amount. Also, don't feel bad about the confusion - the SSA-8 form is poorly designed and misleads almost everyone who fills it out. The fact that they ask for children's information makes it seem like the children will receive something, when really it's just for record-keeping and checking eligibility for other benefits. Take care of yourself during this difficult time, and don't hesitate to ask for help navigating these systems.