Contributor ⭐

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

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
April 14, 2023
436 replies
319536 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.

Show previous replies

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jh42032384

Contributor ⭐

I applied online via My Social Security on Feb 4 2025 after delaying until turning 70 (May 2025). Since then, when I check online application status all I get is the message:

"We are working as quickly as possible to process your application. If we require additional information, we will contact you."

Now I regret waiting until turning 70. Should have applied before the Trump/Musk/Doge fiasco.

GailL1

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@jh42032384

I am sure that since you have waited all this time (until 70) that you want every single delayed retirement credits that are due to you at this point. If you do not turn 70 until May then you will get your 1st benefit in June since the benefits run one month in arrears. So the auto deposit you get in June is the May benefit and it should contain your FRA benefit + all of your DRC.

Your deposit will be based on your birth day of the month - this is the SSA calendar for paying 2025 benefits - the legend is on the bottom left of the calendar - it will tell you which Wednesday of the month your auto deposit will arrive at your financial institution based on your birth day.

Check your online Social Security account to stay up to date on any posting of your benefit letter. It will be posted there before you get it in the mail. The benefit letter is step 3/3 and usually does not post until right before you are set up on the schedule to get the benefit - you can tell what Wednesday in June you are suppose to be set up for it based on the calendar - the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Wednesday in June - so a couple of week before your schedule date based on the calendar.

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

J

jh42032384

Contributor ⭐

Hi Gail,

Thank you so much for the thorough and thoughtful reply. Much more comprehensive and detailed than the phone conversation with SS Customer Service (after waiting over an hour).

Since my birthday is In the last week in May, I'm assuming I won't see the posting of the benefits letter until later this month or early June.

Thanks again,

John

A

AlecH217824

Contributor ⭐

I emailed them to say I submitted my application 2 months ago, how long will the delay be? They replied: "Please note that all applications submitted online are worked in a “first come – first served” basis. The current message indicating that the processing time is of a few weeks is, unfortunately, incorrect and should not be taken into account. The current wait time between the submission of an application and its review by our office is approximately 6 to 9 months." So...there you have it. It's going to be a loooong wait!

GailL1

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@AlecH217824

It all depends on

the complexity of the application and their SS record.
what benefit they are applying for - Retirement can include Spousal and also any auxiliary benefits if they filed for them too.
if the application is filled out correctly

The instructions say you can file an application for retirement benefits up to 4-months before you want your benefits to start. Sure some of the very easy ones can be completed earlier even as early as 30-days. By easy I mean those who are filing their retirement at their FRA or after and everything is in order and all they have to do is put the application in the queue and wait until the benefit month is approaching and trigger the payment once they have validated the bank account.

So to your specific one - are you at or over FRA or are you applying for early benefits - if early, make sure that you do not try to file any further away than that 4-month period cause you will never get a retirement application to come up - the system will continue to try to give you a disability application which is all someone that is not yet 62 can file for -

What month did you put down on your application that you wanted your benefit to begin? SS benefits are paid one month is arrears - thus if you put down May then your benefit will be paid in June based on the SS benefit calendar shown below.

If you apply for a month they cannot meet in timing or they miss your month due to an extraordinary number of applications coming in or complications with your application, you will get back benefits to the date you wanted to start for up to 6-months earlier.

There are many baby boomers filing for retirement - huge numbers of them - some at FRA, some up to 70 years old but many are filing early out of necessity - financial or otherwise. Like I said, if there is a delay, you will still get your benefit and most likely in the amount that you indicated the month you wanted to start.

The legend for the calendar is on the bottom left.

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

L

Lynn1355

Contributor ⭐

I am following up on my May 7th post about still waiting. I woke up to an email that I have been approved. Processing time was almost exactly 4 months, minus 4 days. They said I will receive an email in 10-15 days giving me more information about my benefits. I'm not sure when I'll get the money but it's a step in the right direction.

D

DavidP987923

Contributor ⭐

I am at day 123 of waiting for SSA to finish reviewing my full retirement age retirement application. SSA 800 number tells me I need to talk to SSA regional processing center to get a status, but they never answer and I am still in their queue to return my call from 4 WEEKS ago. I have contacted my congressman's office and they are waiting on a reply on why my application is still stuck. CNN had an article last week explaining that SSA applications are at a record high and SSA staff is reduced and leaving... and they cannot keep up.

C

CharlesP405632

Contributor ⭐

I'm on day 84 and waiting for approval. I have spoken with SSA several times but no real help and my so-called agent is of no help (especially since she never answers or returns any calls). I also contacted my congressman - another waste of effort in that his unhelpful reply was that I should recontact his office if I hear nothing after 90 days. Very frustrating to say the least - 8 friends all started the process when I did (exact day). All have been approved and are receiving benefits - in once case the approval was given in 5 days and a dough in the bank 5 days later! Last call to SSA I was advised to recontact them June 17th if needed

M

MichaelC448961

Contributor ⭐

I made my appointment for full retirement on 1/6. At that time my appointment was on 2/25/25. My review took 3 weeks and was approved on 3/19/25. It been in the processing center since then. I've been waiting 4 months and sill counting. I've been calling every 2 to 3 weeks since April.

The only thing they can do is send a note every 30 day. I've waited 50 years for this moment that should be a great time in my life. Instead I'm. Struggling and have nothing but anxiety. I'm owed 5 figures at this point with no end in sight.

M

MichaelC448961

Contributor ⭐

Yes, Nicole, That's correct. I'll do that. It's been so long and they just tell me it's at the processing facility in Philly. They can't call i can't go there. I feel like they're hold my benefits hostage.

@MichaelC448961 wrote:
I made my appointment for full retirement on 1/6. At that time my appointment was on 2/25/25. My review took 3 weeks and was approved on 3/19/25. It been in the processing center since then. I've been waiting 4 months and sill counting. I've been calling every 2 to 3 weeks since April.
The only thing they can do is send a note every 30 day. I've waited 50 years for this moment that should be a great time in my life. Instead I'm. Struggling and have nothing but anxiety. I'm owed 5 figures at this point with no end in sight.

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 Yes, give it a try Michael @MichaelC448961 . Good Luck my friend, Nicole 👵

➡️[*** Michael wrote on Thursday 6/5/25: Yes, Nicole, That's correct. I'll do that. It's been so long and they just tell me it's at the processing facility in Philly. They can't call i can't go there. I feel like they're hold my benefits hostage. ***]

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 [Sunday 6/8/25]

(1) Anyone got approved this week?

(2) Anyone still waiting on approval?

Take care,

Nicole 👵 (Social Security Forum)

A

atownkenny

Contributor ⭐

Well, I found this site after googling a question on delays in getting benefits approval. Silly me, when I read it took 30 days, I thought they might be being truthful! My application ought to be clear cut as I waited until age 70 and there should be absolutely no issues with my online application. But it is 7 weeks and counting! I guess I won’t worry until I get to 12 weeks!

dwtucker63

Contributor ⭐

I turn 62 in July 2025. I was able to finally apply for SS on April 15th, 2025. The website says 30 days, it has been almost 7 weeks since I applied and I have not heard anything. I am really worried that they wont start my payments in Aug 2025 as they said would happen. Anyone have any idea how long it is actually taking to get an approval?

SummerOnTheWay1

📎@dwtucker63 , per the posts ON THIS SITE.

(1) 4 to 5 months.

(2) Someone got approved after visiting their local office.

(3) Another person got help from their Congress Person.

I hope you get your 1st benefit payment SOON!!!

Take care,

Nicole 👵

➡️[*** @dwtucker63 wrote on Tuesday 6/10/25:
I turn 62 in July 2025. I was able to finally apply for SS on April 15th, 2025. The website says 30 days, it has been almost 7 weeks since I applied and I have not heard anything. I am really worried that they wont start my payments in Aug 2025 as they said would happen. Anyone have any idea how long it is actually taking to get an approval? ***]

dwtucker63

Contributor ⭐

Thank you

B

bpenza

Contributor ⭐

Filed my application on March 22,2025. Today June 13, still waiting in step 2 like all of you. I tried calling but that was a complete waste of time rolling around in an automated circular maze. Now reading these posts, I guess 4-5 months is the norm? The recommendation is to file online. Maybe I should plan a vacation and camp out at the Social Security Office? (If there is still one in existence).

B

BrianH712359

Contributor ⭐

Filed my retirement application online on 5/2/25. Got stuck in Step 2, as have so many others, so I called the national number on 7/3 and got through in 15 minutes, using the term "application status" with the automated prompt. I was routed to a live person who looked up my app and referred me to my local office. Called them and, after another short wait, was referred to the office in Richmond, CA, to which my online app was initially routed. Called them (thankfully, another short wait) and the gentleman told me the person to whom the app was assigned "hadn't got to it yet." He said he would process it right away. One day later, July 4th, my online account indicates Step 3 is finally complete and the downloadable benefits letter confirms I'm good to go. At every step the folks at Social Security were courteous and helpful. Moral of the story: If it's been over 30 days since applying, call them, explain the situation clearly & respectfully, and maybe, just maybe, you'll get the outcome to which you're entitled. Good luck!

GailL1

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@BrianH712359 wrote

. . . . If it's been over 30 days since applying, call them . . .

=================

Please don’t do that especially if you aren’t even close to the month that you wanted your benefits to begin - that’s the order they are put into when the application gets to the SSA- the month that you want your benefits to begin and since Social Security benefits are paid (1) month in arrears then if you put down July - your 1st benefit will be paid in August based on your birth day and the correlated benefit date.

Also if one is applying for EARLY retirement benefits at age 62, remember that you have to be 62 for an entire month before benefits are entitled.

Step 1 - SSA has received your retirement application and unless you are requested to send added info - your benefit will be processed according to the month you want the benefits to begin. You can apply up to 4-months before you want your benefits to begin - if filing for early retirement at 62 - NO further back than exactly 4-months.

Step 2 is the holding period which may include any additional reviews like if Medicare comes into play - as it gets closer to your month of choice, they may test your direct deposit bank account just to validate it.

Step 3 is when your benefit is being scheduled to go out based on the schedule. ⬇️

Very few applications get thru in 30 days - usually those for the people who are at the MAX for delayed retirement credits at age 70. Or perhaps those who have reached FRA and want to get back pay - Filing for early benefits gets no back pay, it is processed as it comes or for the month that one wants their benefits to begin.

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

R

RobertG887674

Contributor ⭐

Waited to claim until FRA which happened this month. Applied last FEBRUARY to have it start June 1.

Wasn't approved until the last minute in May. Still waiting. Supposedly first payment will now be six weeks after the requested date for FRA benefits and they automatically applied for Extra Help and are deducting Medicare part B premiums that I'd already paid and duplicating all that stuff I was pretty much forced to do at 65.

So seems they're having folks fired for no reason by D.O.G.E. also, but that's another rant.

For me, they're supposed to start payments a half year after I'd applied online and for less than I'm due. Letter received was apparently automated and has numerous mistakes but at least the US Post Office delivered that from thousands of miles away.

Good luck!

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 Robert @RobertG887674 , I hope you get your benefits SOON!!! I often wonder IF "Extra Help" will be around NEXT YEAR 2026. I am SO GRATEFUL for it as it pays my Part B premium for me I think here in Virginia. Lol, either way - State of Virginia is paying it. Take care!

GailL1

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@SummerOnTheWay1

Extra help (that’s a Rx program) should be around - I don’t know of any reason that it would not be -

If your state (Virginia) your Part B premiums that is under the

Medicare.gov - Medicare Savings Program and “Extra Help” is tied to many of the categories.

Sometimes states allow more in eligibility standards that these minimum requirements that the Feds assign. States do this to cover more people in whichever program. The State when times are tough with their budgets might then reduce these higher limits of eligibility but never more than what the Feds have listed as the minimum requirements. (the ones in the Medicare link above)

IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 [Monday 7/14/25]

(1) Anyone got approved this week?

(2) Anyone still waiting on approval?

Take care,

Nicole ‌👵‌ (Social Security Forum)

D

d504611w

Contributor ⭐

It's been 3 months for me and I still haven't received a response!

SummerOnTheWay1

📎@d504611w , from the posts on THIS SITE.

(1) Approvals within 4 to 5 months.

(2) Some people got help from their Congressperson.

(3) Some made an appt at their LOCAL office & got approved [was an online application].

I hope you get approved SOON!!!

Nicole!

@d504611w wrote:
It's been 3 months for me and I still haven't received a response!

A

alexajame

Contributor ⭐

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, I know how stressful these delays can be😔.
Unfortunately, you’re right many people are now experiencing 2–3 month (or even longer) waits for retirement benefit processing. From what I’ve gathered, the main reasons seem to be:

Backlog from pandemic-related staffing shortages that still hasn’t cleared
System updates and modernization efforts slowing certain workflows
Manual verifications for some applications, even if records are complete

You might want to try:

Calling your local Social Security office directly (sometimes they can escalate urgent cases)
Contacting your U.S. Senator or Representative many have constituent services that can help push things forward
Checking your online “My Social Security” account daily for any status changes

I really hope your application is processed soon so you can get the support you need❤️.

SummerOnTheWay1

📎 Yes Alexa @alexajame , per the posts ON THIS SITE.

[1] 4 to 5 months for approval.

[2] Like you mentioned - some people got "help" from their Congressperson.

[3] I will add this to what you said about CALLING them. People have "posted" - make an appointment to visit your LOCAL office to "check" on an ONLINE application = got approved.

Take care,

Nicole!

➡️[*** ALEXA

@alexajame wrote:
I’m so sorry you’re going through this, I know how stressful these delays can be😔.
Unfortunately, you’re right many people are now experiencing 2–3 month (or even longer) waits for retirement benefit processing. From what I’ve gathered, the main reasons seem to be:
Backlog from pandemic-related staffing shortages that still hasn’t cleared
System updates and modernization efforts slowing certain workflows
Manual verifications for some applications, even if records are complete
You might want to try:
Calling your local Social Security office directly (sometimes they can escalate urgent cases)

Contacting your U.S. Senator or Representative many have constituent services that can help push things forward
Checking your online “My Social Security” account daily for any status changes
I really hope your application is processed soon so you can get the support you need❤️.

A

alexajame

Contributor ⭐

Thanks for adding that info, Nicole🤗.
4–5 months is definitely longer than I expected, but it’s good to have a realistic timeline. I’ll also keep in mind the tip about making an appointment at the local office that might be worth trying if things don’t move soon.

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