Every night after I say my prayers, and then feel the sadness of loved ones lost to death or the circumstances of life, I resort to thinking of the things I need to do when the next day dawns. Last night I scheduled about five, not pressing in importance or immediacy, but still stuff that needs to be taken care of. It's true I seldom get to complete all the tasks, but today I got to only two.
A surviving spouse is confronted with lots of paperwork, even in simple circumstances, forms to file, accounts to handle, notifications, etc. The larger the agency, the more complicated closure becomes. I would rate NYSTR System as tops in efficiency, but then it's only mostly one state, and the interaction benefited the system. The VA places next; again it is a termination to their benefit. Those interactions have pretty much concluded. Social Security is the beast. I know it is huge. While I was on a (I timed it) 45 minute wait this morning, the wait-music was interrupted at least a dozen times to thank me for my patience, and inform me that the wait is because they serve over 50 million people.
I had received a letter from SSA that I would receive a final reckoning owed to Dave. The letter, from Nov. 3, said it would be SOON. So I have waited, not knowing how SSA interprets the meaning of "soon." But I realized also that, if the proper forms and accompanying materials are submitted, the monthly payment should be that of the higher amount of the surviving spouse. Of course, I'd filed the paperwork, not that it's a crucial matter, but my payment is just half, and that's what has been issued.
So I called SSA , and after a long wait, was connected with an Agent. The wait was so lengthy that I had put the phone on speaker mode and set about the next task on my schedule, mopping the living room carpet. Yep, that's right. Me and my old cat together caused certain issues that could only be resolved, to some extent, by scrubbing with soap and water.
Mr. S. , the Agent, listened, sort of, to my query, and after unsuccessfully trying to direct me to a website, where no category fit my issues, asked me for a slew of information. After that, and several waiting periods, he returned to the phone to tell me that my information was not to be found in the system, whether the fault of his computer or a wider issue, he couldn't say. He told me to call the SSA in Troy. I asked how they would be able to help if he couldn't since the system was the same. He said they would be able to.
Thus, obediently, I called SSA in Troy. After again enduring the rites of hell, which constitute their recorded information, and only a mere 30-minute wait this time, I was connected with Mr. G. (It seems that is the form of identification now, not a first name, but Mr., maybe a sign of the sexually ambivalent times, I don't know.) I mentioned that Mr. S., at central headquarter, had told me to call Troy because his computer couldn't locate our information. MR. G's first response was how could that be since it's the same computer system, and then, let's forget about what Mr. S advised, as he was not of any help. Mr. G. than did a diligent job of researching, consulting with his director, and after a while resolved the situation, or so we hope. He retrieved the "soon to be received" letter so he had the relevant information. The submitted forms were registered; he could not say why they were not acted on. So he said I needed to have an interview to review stuff at the Troy office, but COVID dictates it will be a telephone interview. He kindly scheduled the interview; the soonest appointment available is February 3.
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