Contributor ⭐

Huge delays in Social Security processing new retirement applications, does anyone know why

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
April 14, 2023
436 replies
319362 views

The website for Social Security used to say that it would take up to 30 days to process new applications for retirement benefits. In a week it will have been three months. Now the website says 2-4 weeks, but that has got to still be wrong.

I gather from other forums, that a delay of 2-3 months is now normal.

What I would like to know is, why?

Every time I try to search for information, all of the results are about disability, not retirement. And not a single results explains why it is taking so long when they already have my entire work history of 47 years, etc. They have all the information they need.

What exactly is it that they do to process applications which turns 2-4 weeks into 2-3 months.

Does anyone know why?

I cannot work a job right now, my arthritis is too painful.

I can't wait more months to begin getting retirement checks, I will be homeless.

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A

annemarie401

Contributor ⭐

Hi Catherine, was your SS application ever processed? My spouse is over the full retirement age. Her application was started in October 2024. It is now mid-January 2025 and Martin, the clerk working on the application, has not responded to her inquiries. Her health insurance ends this month.

Y

YasminC909860

Contributor ⭐

Have you heard anything?

D

dmvanryn

Contributor ⭐

I just got off phone with social security and was told my application of Nov 10, 2024 would begin in Feb 2024 as expected (FRA). FYI, online my application has been stuck in Step 2 for over a month. I called SSA at 866-226-2306. This number was given to me by my local SS office - they said I needed to call a different number as it was an online application. Since my application went through Jamaica Plain, I assume that is where the phone number is based. I called at 8:15 am and was on hold only an hour (usually I wait at least two when calling SSA)!

D

dmvanryn

Contributor ⭐

Oops - that is will start Feb. 2025.

P

PingL219766

Contributor ⭐

I applied Nov 20, 2024 to receive benefit in Jan 2025, and still not get approved. I visited the local ssa office after I applied, they said it will take up to 30 days, 30 days past in Dec, so I call SSA, they changed story and said it will take up to 60 days. Now almost 60 days and still nothing happened. Got assigned to Jamaica in another state. I checked SSA website, it said the on-time receipt of benefits for that office is 87%. Sounds to me this is not true.

L

Lisa2255

Contributor ⭐

Musk fired everyone. No one will get SS benefits for ages. Just remember to thank everyone you know who voted for a Republican. They love this **bleep**. It means less money to Americans, and more money to the filthy rich.

C

CarrollB59738

Contributor ⭐

I also filed my application right before Thanksgiving and I'm still in the Step 2 process. When I applied, I also recall they said that I may get a call, possibly on a wkend, from SS with any questions they may have which I assume would be what % of taxes do I want withdrawn. As I'm under 65, Medicare deductions would not apply. I hope I don't have to wait much longer, I need to put my husband in daycare at least one day a week (Alz) and that SS is earmarked to pay for the costs. I don't want to incur debt paying for via credit cards in the interim.

C

ChrisS1302

Contributor ⭐

I applied Nov.18, 2024, I was told 30 days to process. I was then told no more than 60 days.

It's Jan.28, 2025. They have all of my information, I was told that there was nothing else they needed from me, nothing more that I had to do to help, and that I was approved. Social Services have cut my food stamps from $291.00 to $136.00. I called to find out why and was told that Social Security sent them information that I was approved for S.S.I. old age benefits. I receive social security retirement. If I was approved for S.S.I. benefits then where is the money? No one wants to give me any answers. The agents online keeps telling me that they are requesting status reports, but nothing changes., all I get is " I can see some movement, they do seem to be working on it". Really? Why can't I see some movement. It's all B.S. If they had to work out of the office and not from home maybe they would do some actual work instead of signing in and then going on to run errands until it's time to sign off. B.S.

L

Lisa2255

Contributor ⭐

Musk fired everyone. No one will get SS benefits for ages. Just remember to thank everyone you know who voted for a Republican. They love this **bleep**. It means less money to Americans, and more money to the filthy rich.

B

bobandsherry

Contributor ⭐

My experience for my wife.... applied Nov 20th. Email confirming application received and assigned to office on Nov 21st. Email noting approval on Nov 26th. Under a week from start to finish.

T

TheresaM224402

Contributor ⭐

How did she apply? Did she apply online or in person?

G

garyst16

Contributor ⭐

Applied online November 25, 2024. Still in step two 2 months later. Website states "Typically it takes 30 days for a decision. This timeframe is an estimate for reference" For who's reference? Complete BS.

S

StevenS868231

Contributor ⭐

I applied Nov 2, 2024. I'm also stuck at phase 2. *Shrug*

E

EdwardR42154

Contributor ⭐

My wife and I applied October 12. Got the standard reply. No action since then. First check should be today, February 1. Nothing. Anyone have experience with this amount of time? Presumably the first check if a month or more late will be retro?

T

Tmgcme196361

Contributor ⭐⭐

I applied back in October as well. The end of October and I'm still waiting. Plus today is my birthday so I would officially have gotten my first check , as they have mentioned, the beginning of March. As far as retro pay or back pay I would assume that we would get it. But this is happened to a lot of people if you go here and read a lot of the comments we are all waiting. I pray that it comes through soon.

L

LindaS709179

Contributor ⭐

Sent in app on Nov 4th..still in step 2. What is going on????

C

CclH877323

Contributor ⭐

I applied online Nov 24 2024 Still in step 2. Jamaica NY office. I live in NJ. Are they all ‘working from home’ ??

E

EliseB843729

Contributor ⭐

same here. applied nov 19th. the exact day i was allowed to apply. it's stuck at step 2. my ss office doesn't answer the phone. need to make an apptmt to see someone. no way to make apptmts online.

i'm betting all they would do is look online, tell me what I already know and say just wait.

D

dejanata

Contributor ⭐

My husband applied in June of 2024. Crickets.

WebWiseWoman

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Based on my experience in 2017, I'm not sure this is terribly late; with the new elimination of staff, that will probably change.

Perhaps SS will be eliminated; we'll wait and find out...

T

TheGaff725

Contributor ⭐

What elimination of staff? No one has been let go from SS! However, I predict many more government run agencies, (not affected at all) will use DOGE as a new excuse for everything under the sun.

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