Applying for SS Benefits for minor child.....

[Looking4Ward]

Well, I did it. Applied for benefits in April and received a letter of approval in late May.

But I also received a letter indicating that my minor son could also be eligible for benefits (he is).

So I called the 800 number to start the process - and was told I would be receiving a call from the local office. Two months later and I never received a call. They look at the notes and said someone tried to call me but got a busy signal. They rescheduled a call for mid-August.

I called the local office several times and get different advice each time. Last person I talked to suggested I go to the local office in person, so I did. Local office refused to see me, said that they do not process minor benefits in person so I need to wait for someone to call me to take the application over the phone.

According to the letter in May, I only have 6 months to complete this process. I'm concerned that if they only try to call me every couple of months we won't connect (several staff I talked to on the phone implied that the phone work is subbed out to offices around the country and they may not have even tried to call me).

Any suggestions? Recourse? Past experience with something like this?

 

[jazz4cash]

I think I’d try calling my elected representative.

 

[MichaelB]

I think I’d try calling my elected representative.

Good suggestion. Resolving constituency SS issues is one of their “bread and butter” activities.

 

[Walt34]

I think I’d try calling my elected representative.

We did that with an issue with Veteran's Administration and it worked well. They (congresscritters) have staff who's specialty is knowing who to call to resolve stupid stuff like this - just answer the *^$% phone!

And to get around that "We'll call you next month" nonsense.

 

[Bamaman]

If your local office won't help you, go to the next county over.

When my wife tried to apply for disability, we went into an office with 100 people in line @ 90+ degrees, and the office was being ruled by a security guard. In 1/2 hour, not a new person was called up. We went to the next county over, and they processed the app. on the spot.

In our new county, we've been able to walk in (pre pandemic) without any problems for any issue needing addressed.

 

[Looking4Ward]

If your local office won't help you, go to the next county over.

When my wife tried to apply for disability, we went into an office with 100 people in line @ 90+ degrees, and the office was being ruled by a security guard. In 1/2 hour, not a new person was called up. We went to the next county over, and they processed the app. on the spot.

In our new county, we've been able to walk in (pre pandemic) without any problems for any issue needing addressed.

Good idea - when I walked into the office here in Austin it was very similar to what you described - armed security guard keeping entire control over entry and the room, chairs filled with people who seemed to have been there most of the day just waiting.

For my own knowledge, will they try to send me back to the office in my zip code?

 

[Looking4Ward]

I think I’d try calling my elected representative.

I'll try that tomorrow. Actually, it looks like there is a contact form on Ted Cruz's website specifically for the purpose of opening a case to assist on matters like this.