Enrolling in Social Security - No response to my submission after 6 weeks

[SteveS311497]

Six weeks ago I enrolled for my social security. Its been over six weeks and all I have received is an email on the day after I enrolled saying someone looked at my submittal.  I cannot find anyway to check on the status. Any thoughts?

S. S. 

[SteveS311497]

Anyone recall how long it took to go through the application review process? More than 8 weeks?

[SummerOnTheWay1]

[Wednesday 5/6/26]

Steve @SteveS311497 I have posted TWO links below for TWO discussions (about how long to process) here in the AARP Social Security Forum. I applied in 2020 for my Retirement Social Security and cannot remember how long (old).

(1) https://community.aarp.org/t5/Social-Security/Applying-for-SS-during-shutdown/m-p/2631153#M7969

(2) https://community.aarp.org/t5/Social-Security/Huge-delays-in-Social-Security-processing-new-retireme...

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➡️[*** STEVE @SteveS311497 wrote:

Anyone recall how long it took to go through the application review process? More than 8 weeks?

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[GailL1]

@SteveS311497 

Got a Social Security account ?  Check there 

SSA.gov - Check application or appeal status 

You didn’t give any details so it could be anything - You are able to file for benefits up to (3 -4) months before you want them to begin BUT if you are retiring at age 62, then you have to be 62 for an entire month before they accept your application.

 OR let’s say you filed your application on 03/20/2026 and you wanted your benefits to begin when you turned your full retirement age on May 27 - even if you put down you wanted your benefits to start in June, the earliest you would get a benefit would be July - SSA benefits are issued (1) month in arrears.  

Using the same example, they would not let you know anything until the benefit has been schedules - so you would hear in late June - you might even see a test of your bank account from the US Treasury just making sure that it is a valid account even before you see your benefit letter in the mail or even sometimes online.  

Once you know your application has been filed, you wait - and you check your account for any updates - They will contact you if there is something amiss.  But I assume you checked you benefits and all is well from what you see on your account.  

[SteveS311497]

I have a SS account and check it frequently. I just says, "We are working as quickly as possible to process your application. If we require additional information, we will contact you." I did look at scheduling an appointment, but a lengthy review process was not something I could select for an appointment.

[SereneSeagull]

Personally, I’d make an appointment at a physical office with anything having to do with them rather than anything online.

[GailL1]

@SereneSeagull 

I am not sure you would get an appointment if there is nothing wrong and they need to speak with you.  That’s why your Social Security account is important - you can check various things and have access to many documents which you may need.  

[SereneSeagull]

In-person kind of gal.  Just me.

[GailL1]

@SereneSeagull 

Yea, I get it - me too, if I had all my wishes come true.  But I am afraid that we are now in a new age - and there is not gonna be people readily available when there is a bot to do it for them.  

It is getting to the point that you don’t want anything to go wrong or have a question to ask - just so you don’t have to spend time trying to get help of any kind.   AI is supposed to help BUT be leary of the answers and verify that too.    UGH!  Life should get easier rather than harder - do younger folks feel the same or is this just the way of the world for them?????  

[SereneSeagull]

From my conversations with younger people, they can’t afford owning their own home.  Also people are needing to work longer in life, and from what I hear, younger folks can’t move upwards as much.  This stagnation seems to cause understandable frustration.  AI, in my opinion is also eliminating jobs.