Getting a SS letter from Workload Support Unit during COVID (marriage, social security)
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Received a Social Security letter from Workload Support Unit in Chicago.
Last month, I did apply online. The letter states in order to process transaction, they need more information.
Then the LAST line states: if we do not hear from you within 10 calendar days of the DATE of the letter, no steps will be taken to process the transaction.
Well, I received the letter on 9/21, ONE day after the 10 days deadline.
As it was already past 5 pm, I called the very next morning.
I have called on 2 different occasions and just get the voice mail of the Claims Specialist.
Of course, I have left a message each time. I plan to call again today.
I presume due to COVID, the office is busy, but I'm hoping I don't have to reapply.
If I don't get a callback, I wonder if another letter will be sent out telling me what they need to know.
Has anyone else experienced this DELAY, especially now during COVID?
If so, how did it play out?
I'd appreciate the benefit of your experiences and wisdom.
Does the letter state what additional information is needed to process your application? Did you apply through the my Social Security secure portal? When I applied on line through the portal they corresponded with me through e-mail to acknowledge receipt of my application. When it was approved I received a letter stating what the amount would be and the approximate date my first social security payment would be deposited into my checking account. Definitely respond to their letter but if create a my Social Security account if you don' already have one. This the contact number on the my Social Security website 1-800-772-1213.
Last edited by irishcopper; 09-25-2020 at 11:01 AM..
I would answer the letter and note that you did not receive the letter until x date and and therefore could not meet their 10 day rule.
I have dealt with other units of the government where a 90 day time table is used and the government has a tough time responding within their own guide lines. So just respond as best you can.
Received a Social Security letter from Workload Support Unit in Chicago.
Last month, I did apply online. The letter states in order to process transaction, they need more information.
Then the LAST line states: if we do not hear from you within 10 calendar days of the DATE of the letter, no steps will be taken to process the transaction.
Well, I received the letter on 9/21, ONE day after the 10 days deadline.
As it was already past 5 pm, I called the very next morning.
I have called on 2 different occasions and just get the voice mail of the Claims Specialist.
Of course, I have left a message each time. I plan to call again today.
I presume due to COVID, the office is busy, but I'm hoping I don't have to reapply.
If I don't get a callback, I wonder if another letter will be sent out telling me what they need to know.
Has anyone else experienced this DELAY, especially now during COVID?
If so, how did it play out?
I'd appreciate the benefit of your experiences and wisdom.
My experience was there were delays in call returns and the letters were not synch'ed with the requested reply by dates vs. when the letters arrived, but in the end it all fell out not place.
I applied online at the beginning of the lockdown, but about 3 months out from when I expected to start collecting. I actually got a call from a claims processor working from home after I did my online application, and got everything finalized by phone. If I remember, she left a message, I called back, and it took a couple of days to get connected. My experience was they always got back to me, but never in what I would consider a "timely" manner, (it ussually took a few days to a week), however, I did get my first check on time and exactly when I was supposed too.
Also, I got the same letter about needing more information a day or two after the deadline, (I suspect that is autogenerated, because the online application asked for everything required), and called the claims processor (she gave me a direct dial number provided by SS Administration, but separate from the government phone system), she straightened everything out.
I was also notified by letter that they "may" ask for proof of marriage before paying my wife's claim for spousal benefits, but they never did ask for proof, they (SSAdministration) just approved the payment - although we've been married for several decades and file taxes jointly, so that may have been the "verification" but I actually don't know how they determined we were married/she was authorized benefits.
A week or so after I was approved for benefits, my wife got a letter stating her SS claim was denied by the SS Administration, even though she did not apply for SS (she applied for spousal, and about a week later was approved by separate letter).
We have been collecting benefits for a couple of months now.
Does the letter state what additional information is needed to process your application? Did you apply through the my Social Security secure portal? When I applied on line through the portal they corresponded with me through e-mail to acknowledge receipt of my application. When it was approved I received a letter stating what the amount would be and the approximate date my first social security payment would be deposited into my checking account. Definitely respond to their letter but if create a my Social Security account if you don' already have one. This the contact number on the my Social Security website 1-800-772-1213.
Thank you very much for your response.
No, the letter did NOT specify what info was needed, which is frustrating.
It is a typical government boiler plate letter.
Yes, you have to have an my SS account before you can apply.
So, yes, I did apply thru the secure portal.
When I checked the claim status in the account, it stated that my claim was in process. It will soon be 30 days since applying. I thought online was suppose to be quicker.
I have now called the tele number provided in letter 4 times, leaving a message each time.
At least, I know the Claims Specialist name via her voice mail message.
I would answer the letter and note that you did not receive the letter until x date and and therefore could not meet their 10 day rule.
I have dealt with other units of the government where a 90 day time table is used and the government has a tough time responding within their own guide lines. So just respond as best you can.
In my first call, I did leave a message when letter was received.
It was even postmarked 7 days after the letter's date and then received 4 days after that.
It's no secret that there have been Post Office delivery delays.
It is been reported as such both in the local and national news. Chicago has had many people thus affected.
I always try to be very thorough in my communications.
Thank you very much.
Last edited by InquiringOne; 09-26-2020 at 07:07 AM..
My experience was there were delays in call returns and the letters were not synch'ed with the requested reply by dates vs. when the letters arrived, but in the end it all fell out not place.
I applied online at the beginning of the lockdown, but about 3 months out from when I expected to start collecting. I actually got a call from a claims processor working from home after I did my online application, and got everything finalized by phone. If I remember, she left a message, I called back, and it took a couple of days to get connected. My experience was they always got back to me, but never in what I would consider a "timely" manner, (it ussually took a few days to a week), however, I did get my first check on time and exactly when I was supposed too.
Also, I got the same letter about needing more information a day or two after the deadline, (I suspect that is autogenerated, because the online application asked for everything required), and called the claims processor (she gave me a direct dial number provided by SS Administration, but separate from the government phone system), she straightened everything out.
I was also notified by letter that they "may" ask for proof of marriage before paying my wife's claim for spousal benefits, but they never did ask for proof, they (SSAdministration) just approved the payment - although we've been married for several decades and file taxes jointly, so that may have been the "verification" but I actually don't know how they determined we were married/she was authorized benefits.
A week or so after I was approved for benefits, my wife got a letter stating her SS claim was denied by the SS Administration, even though she did not apply for SS (she applied for spousal, and about a week later was approved by separate letter).
We have been collecting benefits for a couple of months now.
Thank you very much for your response.
What a relief that all was straightened out in your and your wife's favor. Always great to get very important 'monetary' matters taken care of, especially when dealing with bureaucratic agencies.
Regarding the claims processor that was working from home: did her personal number come up or was it deemed Social Security on CALLER ID?
Nowadays, one has to be so careful with scammers. If I don't recognize the caller or telephone number, I don't answer.
So the claims adjuster gave you a different telephone number than was on the letter?
Please clarify.
What a relief that all was straightened out in your and your wife's favor. Always great to get very important 'monetary' matters taken care of, especially when dealing with bureaucratic agencies.
Regarding the claims processor that was working from home: did her personal number come up or was it deemed Social Security on CALLER ID?
Nowadays, one has to be so careful with scammers. If I don't recognize the caller or telephone number, I don't answer.
So the claims adjuster gave you a different telephone number than was on the letter?
Please clarify.
What I've personally been seeing with staff that works in my doctors offices, they're not calling from any of the office numbers I have saved. I'm like you, I don't pick up the phone if I don't recognize the number. The way I found out was they called right back when I didn't pick it up. I figured it had to be something like that.
If you can, google the phone number while they're calling you or just pick it up to see. I guess now really isn't the time for us to ignore calls we don't recognize.
I have 15 months to go before I will apply and I am thinking about making an appointment to go in person as I have quite a few questions (I have twins that will be 14 when I retire).
On the phone call problems, I work for DOD and all retirement paperwork is being sent in by the retiree and then a counselor calls you. We have had several people from my agency getting calls from their counselors and the phone number the counselor calls from is unfamiliar, unknown or private so they have had hesitation on answering. A lot of counselors are teleworking so if you have a question they can’t answer they just can’t get some help a cubicle over like if they were at work. Everyone is doing the best they can but when dealing with ones own retirement it is hard to not get anxious.
No, the letter did NOT specify what info was needed, which is frustrating.
It is a typical government boiler plate letter.
Yes, you have to have an my SS account before you can apply.
So, yes, I did apply thru the secure portal.
When I checked the claim status in the account, it stated that my claim was in process. It will soon be 30 days since applying. I thought online was suppose to be quicker.
I have now called the tele number provided in letter 4 times, leaving a message each time.
At least, I know the Claims Specialist name via her voice mail message.
This pandemic has thrown a kink in all aspects of life. Government is usually the slowest one to adjust to changes.
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