What do you know about Social Security benefits?

[floridafam]

My parents applied for SS back in August. They applied over the phone during a phone interview set up by the local office. They received some paperwork shortly after that which they had to fill out and send back with copies of certain documents.

Fast forward a few months. They call to find out the status of their claim and are told they never sent in their birth certificates. So they get more certified copies and drop them off at the local office.

They then get 2 more letters saying everything has been received, their claims are pending and they should hear something within 60 days.

Today, my mother receives a check in the mail for back SS benefits. They go back to the day you applied or something like that. My father did not receive a check. He calls and they tell him his case is still pending.

Anyone know how they can send my mother a check when her benefit is based on what my father receives-she was a stay at home parent and raised me and my siblings.

Anyone experienced this or know a lot about SS?

Thanks in advance.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Hi floridafam!

I am a paralegal for a SSI/SSDI lawyer. My guess is that your parents' cases were handled by different people in the SS office, which may have caused the delay. Weird, I know. Did they send 2 seperate applications in? Or one joint application? Unfortunately, I don't know very much about retirees seeking their benefits; we only work with those under retirement age who've become disabled. I can say, though, that the SSA is incredibly inefficient in general and there is a marked lack of communication between departments. And most of the handlers have no idea what I'm talking about when i call to check on our cases , although there are a few jewels in our local office.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions; I'll try to answer as best I can.

Good luck to you and your parents!

Oh! Make sure your parents are keeping copies of EVERYTHING they send in, and keeping everything sent to them; they should also document all calls, when they happened, and whom they spoke with.

 

[C.Ann]

Did you parents apply a good length of time BEFORE they were actually eligible?

My DH applied 6 months ahead of time and everything came off like clock-work..

As for the fact that your Dad didn't receive his check yet and your Mom did, I go with the above scenario that the claims are just being processed by different workers.. However, I would call WEEKLY to make sure they stay on top of it!

 

[floridafam]

C. Ann,

No, my Father actually applied well after turning 70.

He did that to receive the maximum benefit he could-plus, he also enjoys what he does for a living. My Mom applied because she has no reason to wait due to the fact that her benefit is determined by his.

My Dad did call back and they said the check my Mother received was for "back" benefits determined by her earnings. The rep said that once my father's benefit is determined hers will be adjusted.

He is going to go to the local office tomorrow and see if there is anything else they are missing. Strangely, they were actually missing some income information for 2 years and they had to get copies of their tax returns and send them to SS.

Another thing I don't get is this "back benefit" they send you after you apply. My father was told he is going to be getting a rather large check for "back" earnings. I don't get where this money comes from. One of his friends said he received a check for over $10,000 after applying for SS. He was also told this was back SS earnings.

Thanks for all of your information.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by floridafam
C. Ann,


Another thing I don't get is this "back benefit" they send you after you apply. My father was told he is going to be getting a rather large check for "back" earnings. I don't get where this money comes from. One of his friends said he received a check for over $10,000 after applying for SS. He was also told this was back SS earnings.

Thanks for all of your information.

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I don't get the "back" benefit thing either - but I sure wouldn't look a "gift horse" in the mouth !!!