How long it took to get your first Social Security check

[bobandsherry]

Applied for my Wife on November 20. Received email that application was received and under review on November 21. Received email on November 26th of approval. Under a week from start to finish. Shows first payment to be made in April (for March benefit).

 

[Luvtoride]

Bobandsherry, I guess it works well for some and not so well for us/others. There should be nothing holding up my DWs approval.

 

[PERSonalTime]

Yes, we’ve checked SSA.gov and no indication given other than applied in October and “in process”. She called again and spoke to someone at SSA and they were “perplexed” as to why no further update or indication of anything else needed to complete her application review. After working and paying in for 45 years, we would expect better service and responsiveness.

So what did the SS rep finally say to or do?

 

[Luvtoride]

So what did the SS rep finally say to or do?

They said someone would get back to her. HAHA!

 

[PERSonalTime]

They said someone would get back to her. HAHA!

 

[Koolau]

Yes, we’ve checked SSA.gov and no indication given other than applied in October and “in process”. She called again and spoke to someone at SSA and they were “perplexed” as to why no further update or indication of anything else needed to complete her application review. After working and paying in for 45 years, we would expect better service and responsiveness.

Is this the first gummint institution you have dealt with? First gummint web site?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Luvtoride]

Is this the first gummint institution you have dealt with? First gummint web site?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Believe it or not, I dealt with the NJ Department of Motor Vehicles last week and it went exceptionally well!

 

[Flyfish1]

Well this is good info. My wife is eligible in May of this year, so I guess we should start the process in Feb.

 

[audreyh1]

Well this is good info. My wife is eligible in May of this year, so I guess we should start the process in Feb.

If May is her start month she is eligible to apply now (Jan).

 

[G-Man]

My DW is eligible in August with first check in September. So, she should apply in April or May? She plans to apply in the local SS office. What identification is required?

 

[audreyh1]

My DW is eligible in August with first check in September. So, she should apply in April or May? She plans to apply in the local SS office. What identification is required?

You can apply 4 months ahead.

 

[BooBoo]

My wife is already receiving SS and she is older than me. I plan on filing when I am 70. I believe she will need to apply for spousal benefits after I apply. Not quite sure how to make sure we both start receiving benefits when I turn 70?

 

[Luvtoride]

Bobandsherry, I guess it works well for some and not so well for us/others. There should be nothing holding up my DWs approval.

Update. My DW called SS today and was told her application was approved and she should see the updated status in SSA.gov today. Sure enough, it shows Steps 3 of 3 completed on 1/27/25. Her benefits will start with her first payment for January on the 2nd Wednesday of February. YAY
Only about 100 days from application to approval!

 

[audreyh1]

Hey, if you apply 4 months early, it can easily take 100+ days!

I don’t think it’s unusual for the approval to show up late during the start month. We’re kind of expecting that.

 

[DJRR]

Helped my wife file December 28th for a December 2024 start. First check was received on 2nd Wednesday January 8th 2025 and in my deposit account on the 7th. All online and worked amazingly well, no complaints.

 

[Luvtoride]

Hey, if you apply 4 months early, it can easily take 100+ days!

I don’t think it’s unusual for the approval to show up late during the start month. We’re kind of expecting that.

LOL, but you shouldn’t have to wait that long to get a status update that you have been approved (or anything else is needed…which was never asked for).

 

[audreyh1]

LOL, but you shouldn’t have to wait that long to get a status update that you have been approved (or anything else is needed…which was never asked for).

Actually the online message told DH that he wouldn’t see step 3 completed (fully approved/processed) until sometime during his start month. And wouldn’t see details about the first payment until late in the start month.

 

[Luvtoride]

Her SSA.gov never indicated any timing of future communication. All it said was “ step 1 of 3~ applied Oct 17.” Until today when it said steps 3 of 3 completed. Approved.

 

[audreyh1]

Her SSA.gov never indicated any timing of future communication. All it said was “ step 1 of 3~ applied Oct 17.” Until today when it said steps 3 of 3 completed. Approved.

On ssa.gov DH has a clear message from his step 2 status page stating that final communications and steps will likely happen during his start month.

I suppose your DW never got a step 2 status indication?

 

[Luvtoride]

On ssa.gov DH has a clear message from his step 2 status page stating that final communications and steps will likely happen during his start month.

I suppose your DW never got a step 2 status indication?

Correct. We were in limbo for 3 months.

 

[G-Man]

This might be a dumb question, but I want to confirm my DW can start to collect her SS benefits in the year where she stopped working but have made earned income in that year.

My DW will stop working in July of this year. However, she would have made earned income from Jan - July of this year. The plan is for her to start collecting SS benefits when she turns 62 in August of this year (first SS check in September).

I just want to make sure she is allowed to start collecting SS benefits when she turns 62 in August of this year even though she has made earned income for the year.

 

[Gumby]

This might be a dumb question, but I want to confirm my DW can start to collect her SS benefits in the year where she stopped working but have made earned income in that year.

My DW will stop working in July of this year. However, she would have made earned income from Jan - July of this year. The plan is for her to start collecting SS benefits when she turns 62 in August of this year (first SS check in September).

I just want to make sure she is allowed to start collecting SS benefits when she turns 62 in August of this year even though she has made earned income for the year.

The short answer is yes; there is a special rule for Year 1. Here is the more detailed answer from SSA Benefits Planner: Retirement | Special Earnings Limit Rule | SSA

 

[G-Man]

The short answer is yes; there is a special rule for Year 1. Here is the more detailed answer from SSA Benefits Planner: Retirement | Special Earnings Limit Rule | SSA

Gumby.. Thank you. Thank you. I guess that wasn't a dumb question after all.

Glad to know she can start collecting in August of this year (first check in September) even though she has made earned income up to July of this year. Her official retirement date is July 1st of this year.

 

[Flyfish1]

If May is her start month she is eligible to apply now (Jan).

Signed my wife up yesterday online. Quite an easy process thus far although the Safari browser wouldn't work, but Chrome was super fast. probably need an update on Safari.

 

[Luvtoride]

Signed my wife up yesterday online. Quite an easy process thus far although the Safari browser wouldn't work, but Chrome was super fast. probably need an update on Safari.

Fly fish, I hope all goes well and smoothly. If you don’t get/ see updates periodically, CALL Them!