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

[CatherineP879665]

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.

[JanetH600851]

Same here. I’m in NJ also and applied November 2024, it’s now Mid February and nothing. Same for Jamaica when there is an office right in Hackensack which for me is closer.

[JayneC904223]

I’m so glad to come on this post and know that there are so many other people in the same situation as me. I applied on November 4, 2024….stuck on Step 2 of 3 since then, Jamaica, NY office.

[JayneC904223]

I should have said unfortunately many people are in the same situation as me….nothing glad about it!

[LyndaN613419]

  I also applied in Nov. 2024 and as of now, Feb. 2025 still on "step 2" waiting for the Jamaica NY to process my claim. I too live in NJ.  There's no point in anyone trying to call these people to get an answer because they just don't have one other than they are short staffed, or so they say. Maybe if we all stop calling then they can spend more time processing our applications.

[g725529v]

I I applied Nov 20 2024 and I have been on step two for months.Do they even work???

[EliseB843729]

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.

[LindaS709179]

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

[EdwardR42154]

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?

[Tmgcme196361]

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.

[garyst16]

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.

[MonicaM569974]

Have you received benefits yet? I applied in February and am still in step 2

[GailL1]

@MonicaM569974 

What month did you ask for your retirement benefits to begin?

Are you full retirement age or over?

[MonicaM569974]

I will be 70 in June and had delayed my SS benefits to begin in June. Just concerned with the delay in application and seeing other folks delays

[GailL1]

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@MonicaM569974 wrote:

I will be 70 in June and had delayed my SS benefits to begin in June. Just concerned with the delay in application and seeing other folks delays

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Social Security Benefits are paid one month in arrears - so if you wanted to get ALL of your Delayed Retirement Credits then your 1st benefit check will not be paid until July.  

The date your payment will be auto deposited in your bank account is based on your birth day.  See calendar below - the legend is on the bottom left side. 

The SSA will not get you to step 3/3 until they have scheduled your payment in July so you probably will not see your letter of award until some times in June - online in your account and then by mail.

Welcome to Retirement

[Winter2025VA]

Monica @MonicaM569974 , from the posts on this site, 4 to 5 months for approval. Someone posted they got approved after visiting their "local" office to check on their "online" application. I hope you get approved soon. Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Monica wrote on Wednesday 5/14/25:

Have you received benefits yet? I applied in February and am still in step 2. ***]

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[KevinR372589]

This is the worst, how are they improving anything except hurting Americans! I can't believe there's so many Americans not being processed! This is very concerning but they are doing it on purpose! This is happening I me also😥

[GailL1]

@KevinR372589 

When did you file for Retirement?  Online or in local office?

What month did you say you wanted it to begin?  

We’re you filing at full retirement age or later or early?

Have you received notice that your application is in the works?  They usually tell you online in your account what step you are on out of 3.

[Winter2025VA]

Kevin @KevinR372589 , per the posts on this site, 4 to 5 months for approval. One person got approved when they visited their local office to check on their "online" application. I hope you get approved soon. Take care, Nicole  👵

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➡️[*** Kevin wrote on Tuesday 5/13/25:

This is the worst, how are they improving anything except hurting Americans! I can't believe there's so many Americans not being processed! This is very concerning but they are doing it on purpose! This is happening I me also  😥  ***]

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[CindyK426]

Did you do it online?

[FranM210968]

Any update?  Or is your app still in step 2?  Mine is hung up in Step 2 also. Wait time via phone for SS is 3 hours!  Asking around to see if anyone has any answers. Heard SS employees are working from home and that has been problematic with no accountability (e.g., doing laundry, walking dog, cooking dinner/lunch, etc while working from home!).

[GeorgeP652153]

My wife applied on October 30, 2024 for benefits to start in January. Thank god she did not quit her job yet. It’s February 19th, 2025 and she is still in step 2 at the Kansas City location. We live in San Antonio, Texas. What’s going on?  It’s her money she worked for. 

[StevenS868231]

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

[bobandsherry]

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.  

[FranM210968]

What SS office was that out of?  My app is "sitting" in step 2 in the Chicago office.  

[YasminC909860]

I applied Oct.24. My is sitting in Step 2 in Baltimore, MD. When I called local office they told me I would have been better off coming into the local office than doing it online. Now they tell me. 😞

[TheresaM224402]

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

[CarrollB59738]

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.

[ChrisS1302]

  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.

[Lisa2255]

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.

[w654934g]

Most of these comments are for applications filed under Biden - Musk didn't work for him.