topic Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH, in Community Chat

Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

KathyPet — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 12:25:05 GMT

I switched my benefit which I was already receiving to my deceased husband's benefit because his is higher. My benefit was made on the fourth Wed of the month. His benefit was paid on the second Wed of each month. I received a letter from the SSA saying I would receive the March benefit around April 8th and the April benefit on May 25. The My Social Security web site says the March benefit will be paid on April 27 not April 8th as the letter says. I called to determine which date was correct as that is quite a large discrepancy in dates. The representative said that the information on the SSA website is correct and the letter should be ignored. When I pressed him on why the date in the letter for that payment was so different he could not explain it and ended up actually telling me that as long as I got my payment for March I shouldn't be concerned about WHEN I received it. I could not believe what I was hearing. Obviously he has never heard of a budget.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

millieshops — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 12:29:38 GMT

Sorry you have to deal with this along with every thing else that's changing in your life.

No idea why the people who answer the phones don't know how they determine the dates we receive our money. I think you'd be paid on the date determined by your birthday, not by DH's - just don't get why that isn't in the training manual they use for the people who answer the phones.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

StylishLady — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 12:34:22 GMT

Sorry to hear you are having a problem. If it was possible, you probably should have gone to the nearest Social Security office and spoke to someone in person.

Guess I've been fortunate to have had good experiences with them.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

151949 — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 12:37:56 GMT

It sounds like they are going to pay according to your birthday which sounds correct. I understand you would like it to be sooner, but birthdays are what they are and there is no changing it. I am grateful each month when my SS arrives that we have this benefit in our country.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

Dawnie — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 12:38:46 GMT

I always make an appointment and go to the branch. Sit face to face, take notes! Just to be sure. This is your money coming in, its worth it to go to make sure its right.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

alliswell — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 13:10:31 GMT

When I changed the account where my SS was deposited, I called the help line to do so and the representative I spoke with said the SS payment would be deposited in the new account immediately. And that's what happened -- it was deposited as she said. However, about a week or so later, I received a letter from the local SS office saying there would be a delay in SS making the deposit for 60 days! Thank goodness the letter was incorrect. Sometimes it seems as if the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

StylishLady — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 18:43:36 GMT

A visit to your local social security office can be enlightening. You may be surprised that there is no one else there of retirement age.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

hckynut — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 19:12:52 GMT

Sorry you are having to deal with unnecessary type of issue. I've had my own issues with a couple departments where the employee works for the Federal Government. Unfortunately most of them almost impossible to fire because incompetence, or most anything short of breaking a law, maybe even has to be a felony, I don't know.

I've had face to face with 2 in the SSA and one listened and the other couldn't care less what I was saying.

I hope you get clarification on when you will be paid, and how much. I do not think some of these people realize how many of us live on a budget, which starts with money in. Kinda hard to set up your budget and maintain it when that changes to a different week, especially when longer.

Dealt with several State/County and City employees, and it has been a totally different experience most of those times.

hckynut(john)

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

muttmom — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 20:22:47 GMT

@KathyPet

I know this is the last thing you need to deal with after all you've been through. My sister went through this last year when her husband died. Though the amount of her SS changed, the date she received the check did not. The date was determined by her birthday and not her late husband's.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

KathyPet — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 22:09:56 GMT

@muttmom wrote:
@KathyPet
I know this is the last thing you need to deal with after all you've been through. My sister went through this last year when her husband died. Though the amount of her SS changed, the date she received the check did not. The date was determined by her birthday and not her late husband's.

Yes, I was told by the people in the SS office that my benefit payment date would be the 4th Wed of the month which is when I always had my own SS payment,deposited. When I got the letter and it said I would get the March payment on APRIL 8 and the April,payment May 27th I was surprised and then when the web site said the March payment would come in on April 28 and the letter said April 8th I was really confused. All I wanted was a explanation as to the discrepancy in dates which the SS person could not explain.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

Elom — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 22:27:08 GMT

It has been my experience with the SSA that it depends on who you talk to. My daughter talked to a rep, got the information waited only to be told when she called to confirm that she would have to go into a local office which was a total nightmare and wait. They are hard to deal with but.......,,

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

SharkE — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 23:25:11 GMT

where I live you can't make an local apt to go in and talk to somebody unless you have an extension number or a name of somebody that works there first.

How am I suppose to get that information, wonder ?LOL I don't have friends in high places.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

hckynut — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 23:42:45 GMT

My understanding of SS payments is that it is based on the DAY of your birth. I was born on the 8th day of the month, thus my check is deposited on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

My wife was born on the 29th day of the month, thus her check is deposited on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Now since I will die before her, and my SS check is more than hers, I am sure you would choose to receive my SS benefits.

So? Does that change the Wednesday of the month the check hits the bank to my 2nd and not hers, which is the 4th week? Anybody know for sure.

Thank You,

hckynut(john)

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

Moonchilde — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 23:51:37 GMT

@SharkE wrote:
where I live you can't make an local apt to go in and talk to somebody unless you have an extension number or a name of somebody that works there first.

How am I suppose to get that information, wonder ?LOL I don't have friends in high places.

You call the only (national 800) number that is given out, and then you can get an appt at your local. They just will not give out the local #s.

I had a caseworker (not local) email me. I think they might be allowed to give people local phone #s at that stage, but I think they're discouraged from doing so. I had two email communications from, but at least I had an email address I could provide info TO. And no, it wasn't fast or anything close to instantaneous.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

SharkE — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 00:59:39 GMT

Yeah, I got the local # of the SS office, but, without a name or extension # your out in left field. LOL

When I filed on husbands SS I did it online. They called my house and talked to him and me for clarification. Went pretty smooth. When he dies I'll file for his bigger benefit.

Guess I'll file for Medicare Part B online too later on this yr. Sure will be a happy day for us when I can join him and quit paying those huge monthly premiums to Humana. 'Oh Happy Day'...................

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

KathyPet — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 01:20:28 GMT

@hckynut wrote:

My understanding of SS payments is that it is based on the DAY of your birth. I was born on the 8th day of the month, thus my check is deposited on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

My wife was born on the 29th day of the month, thus her check is deposited on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Now since I will die before her, and my SS check is more than hers, I am sure you would choose to receive my SS benefits.

So? Does that change the Wednesday of the month the check hits the bank to my 2nd and not hers, which is the 4th week? Anybody know for sure.

Thank You,

hckynut(john)

JOHN, If your wife starts to collect your benefit as a widow the payment date for the SS money will be based on her birthday so the 4th Wed of the month. It might take SS a couple of months to put that schedule in place but eventually she will receive your benefit but the date will be based on her birthday.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

hckynut — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 08:08:56 GMT

@KathyPet

Thank you for answering my question, much appreciated,

hckynut(john)

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

60sgirl — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:20:58 GMT

@KathyPet wrote:
@hckynut wrote:

My understanding of SS payments is that it is based on the DAY of your birth. I was born on the 8th day of the month, thus my check is deposited on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

My wife was born on the 29th day of the month, thus her check is deposited on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Now since I will die before her, and my SS check is more than hers, I am sure you would choose to receive my SS benefits.

So? Does that change the Wednesday of the month the check hits the bank to my 2nd and not hers, which is the 4th week? Anybody know for sure.

Thank You,

hckynut(john)

JOHN, If your wife starts to collect your benefit as a widow the payment date for the SS money will be based on her birthday so the 4th Wed of the month. It might take SS a couple of months to put that schedule in place but eventually she will receive your benefit but the date will be based on her birthday.

I'm confused then. If you know the answer to when you will be receiving your benefits, then why did you contact the SS office in the first place? Because of the letter you got? I guess if you are saying your benefit is going to be deposited on the date corresponding to your birthdate as you told John, then letter or no letter, that's when I would expect my deposit to be made. Your OP gave dates however and most people get benefits on the Wednesday of the month ie 2nd, 3rd, etc (mine is on the 3rd Wed) so it has nothing to do with actual dates, what date falls on the 3rd Wed is the date of my depost. Oftentimes there are 5 weeks between deposits and that makes it hard to budget bills that are due before that 5th week.

Re: Social security Adminstration help line-UGH,

151949 — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:58:45 GMT

@60sgirl wrote:
@KathyPet wrote:
@hckynut wrote:

My understanding of SS payments is that it is based on the DAY of your birth. I was born on the 8th day of the month, thus my check is deposited on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

My wife was born on the 29th day of the month, thus her check is deposited on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Now since I will die before her, and my SS check is more than hers, I am sure you would choose to receive my SS benefits.

So? Does that change the Wednesday of the month the check hits the bank to my 2nd and not hers, which is the 4th week? Anybody know for sure.

Thank You,

hckynut(john)

JOHN, If your wife starts to collect your benefit as a widow the payment date for the SS money will be based on her birthday so the 4th Wed of the month. It might take SS a couple of months to put that schedule in place but eventually she will receive your benefit but the date will be based on her birthday.

I'm confused then. If you know the answer to when you will be receiving your benefits, then why did you contact the SS office in the first place? Because of the letter you got? I guess if you are saying your benefit is going to be deposited on the date corresponding to your birthdate as you told John, then letter or no letter, that's when I would expect my deposit to be made. Your OP gave dates however and most people get benefits on the Wednesday of the month ie 2nd, 3rd, etc (mine is on the 3rd Wed) so it has nothing to do with actual dates, what date falls on the 3rd Wed is the date of my depost. Oftentimes there are 5 weeks between deposits and that makes it hard to budget bills that are due before that 5th week.

I agree it can be difficult when you get a long time between payments. We keep some cash in our passbook savings for this reason, if we need to use it we do and when we get our SS money we pay it back.DH has many of our monthly bills set to pay automatically, so there has to be money in there. This has worked well for us so far.