My wife turned 67 in Ap[ril of 2017 and applied for spousal benefits. Social Security refused to pay them because she was born in a car and has no birth certificate. (Passport, driver's license, etc. what been submitted.) She appealed, and their office in Chicago sent a list of still more documents she could submit, so more went sent (voting record, school record listing date of birth. Months have passed, and no response. Registered letter asking for a response was sent the end of December. No response. What is the way to get a response?

I will be 65 in the middle of March and will be retiring at the end of March.
I have applied for SS and it has been approved, however after looking at the letter
I realize I have made a mistake somewhere cause they are Paying my first check
in April which is for March. I do not want my benefits to start til April because I
will be working full time all of March and would just have to send the check back.
How do I change the start date to April? which would mean my first check would
come in May for the month of April?

My daughter just turned 18 and I completed the paperwork to receive benefits until she graduates. I got confirmation that benefits will continue, but they are sending the checks directly to her instead of direct deposit. I had been putting the money received into a 529 college savings program for her. I also received a letter asking that I return any saved money back to Social Security. I don't understand this, at all. We did without so that we could put that money into a good college fund. Can they do this. Please help if you can. Thank you.

Hi,

I would like to ask a question a legal issue pertaining to my divorce settlement and my Social Security and pension rights. I am getting closer to my retirement age and would like to make sure if my divorce settlement does not limit my rights to social security. At the time of signing the decree, I did not myself had an attorney and did not fully understand the implications of this decree. I hope you can help me. Thank you.

Hi,

My adult son has been disabled for 5 years, because of being injured at work. He was on WC but it stopped 1 1/2 years ago. So, he has had NO INCOME for that time.

We are a "senior & disabled couple" and he has been living with us for 2 years. We live on SS checks, and cannot pay our bills adequately.

IF my son is approved for SSDI and can start receiving checks, HOW MUCH can his abusive Ex-wife take from those checks?

She has a "lien" on all income.

Hi,

I was recently given this warning by email asking me to buy their book.

"In fact, as of February 1, 2018 millions of people will each begin to leave as much as $66,912 unclaimed... if they don't do something to activate this extra payout."

I'll turn 62 in March but am not planning to retire till my full retirement age. Is there some action I need to take before Feb 1 or are they just trying to sell me a book?

Hi,

Hello and thank you so much for your prior answer about retroactive benefits for children, and can I also now ask you for a clarification about month of entitlement. You said that children cannot get benefits before my husband's month of entitlement. I am confused about month of entitlement. I just tried to look up the definition and found a POMS post about month of entitlement and month of election, but still am not sure.

I need help applying for foods. My computer is down. I also need to know where I have to go to apply for my ex’s social security. I am on so disability I need see what hep I can get, and where I have go to get the help. My social aecurty disability is my only source of in come! Please help me?

Hi,

"my Social Security" account not showing any info after filling for spousal benefits.
Hello Larry.
Thanks for all your help on this subject, it has helped us understand the topic and be able to maximize our benefits, given our particular situation. I've read your book and have studied this Q & A extensively over the last year - both have been very helpful.

I'm a widow on my spouses SS, I am 67 and just lost my part time job. Can I file for unemployment?
thank you
LG

Hi LG,

I'm not an expert on unemployment benefits, so I don't know what your rights are in that regard. You'll probably need to check with the agency handling those payments in order to determine your eligibility.

What I can tell you is that if you receive unemployment benefits, they would have no adverse effect on your Social Security benefits.

Best, Jerry