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Applying For Disability Benefits
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Social Security Programs
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Social
Security
Applying for Government Programs
See Programs and Publications, below. |
As you work and pay taxes, you earn "credits" that count toward eligibility for future Social
Security benefits. You can earn a maximum of four credits each year.
Most people need 40 credits (10 years of work) to qualify for benefits. Younger people need
fewer credits to qualify for disability or survivors benefits.
Your Social Security benefit is a percentage of your earnings averaged over most of your working
lifetime. |
Social Security was never intended to be your only source of income when you retire or become disabled,
or your family's only income if you die. It is intended to supplement other income you have from pension plans, savings, investments,
etc.
Low income workers receive a higher rate of return than those in the upper income brackets, but a
worker with average earnings can expect a retirement benefit that represents about 40 percent of his or her average lifetime
earnings. |
Average 2003
Monthly Social Security Benefits
Disabled worker: $833
Disabled worker with a spouse and child: $1,395
Retired worker: $895
Retired
couple: $1,483
Widow(er): $862
Young widow(er) with two children: $1,838
In General
Social Security: A "Snapshot"
(01/03)
Social Security: Understanding the Benefits
(2/03); (05-10024)-This booklet was prepared by the Social Security Administration and tells you
what you need to know about Social Security while you're still working and what you need to know when it's your turn to collect
benefits. It also provides an overview of Medicare and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Benefits For Your Family - If you are eligible for retirement or disability benefits, other members of your family might
receive benefits, too. These include: your spouse if he or she is at least 62 years old or under 62 but caring for a child
under age 16; and your children if they are unmarried and under age 18, under 19 but still in school or 18 or older but disabled.
If you are divorced, your ex-spouse could be eligible for benefits on your record.
What Records Will You Need?
The Social Security Handbook
-- A comprehensive guide to all of Social Security's benefit programs
Benefits For Children With Disabilities (Publication No. 05-10026)--an overview of benefits available to
children. Children as well as adults can get benefits because of disability. When deciding if a child is disabled, Social
Security looks at how his or her disability affects everyday life.
Disability
Social Security Disability
- Benefits can be paid to people at any age who have enough Social Security credits and who
have a severe physical or mental impairment that is expected to prevent them from doing "substantial" work for a year or more
or who have a condition that is expected to result in death. Generally, earnings of $800 or more per month are considered
substantial.
If you want to know more about the various kinds of disability benefits available from Social
Security. This booklet will tell you who may get benefits, how to apply and what you need to know once benefits start.
Social Security pays disability benefits under two programs: the Social Security disability
insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. For
most people, the medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both programs and a persons disability is
determined by the same process. This booklet deals primarily with the Social Security disability insurance program.
While eligibility for Social Security disability is based on prior work under Social
Security, SSI disability payments are made on the basis of financial need. And
there are other differences in the eligibility rules for the two programs.
For information on SSI disability payments, ask at any Social Security office for the booklet,
SSI (Publication No. 05-11000).
Social Security's definition of disability - When you apply for either program, we will collect medical and other information from you
and make a decision about whether or not you meet Social Security's definition of disability
Applying For Disability
Spouse Benefits or Retirement
Apply for Social Security Retirement/Disability/Spouse's
Benefits - This application can be used to apply for Social Security retirement, disability or spouse's
benefits, or any combination of those benefits. The Social Security Administration will let you know which benefits
you are entitled to after we receive your signed application. Please note, however, that in order to qualify for a Social
Security disability or retirement benefit, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes and earned enough Social Security
credits. If you have never worked or have worked very little in the last 10 years, you should NOT use this process to apply
for disability benefits. Instead call 1-800-772-1213 toll-free and we will review your earnings history to determine if you
have enough credits. DO NOT use this site to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or benefits for children --
call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 instead.
Check Your Claim Status -If you've applied for Social Security and want to check the status
of your claim you can do so here. You will need your Social Security Number and the Claim number given to you when you
applied. |
SSI
2003 SSI Payment Rates (does not include state supplement, if any)
$552 for an individual
$829 for a couple
SSI benefits are not paid from Social Security trust funds and are not based on past earnings. Instead, SSI benefits are financed by general tax revenues and assure a
minimum monthly income for elderly and disabled persons. Supplemental Security Income (Publication No. 05-11000).
This booklet explains what SSI is, who can get it, and how to sign up for SSI. SSI is short
for Supplemental Security Income. It pays monthly benefits to people who are 65 or older, or blind, or have a disability and
who don't own much or have a lot of income.
SSI isn't just for adults. Monthly benefits can go to disabled and blind children, too.
Disabled means you have a physical or mental problem that keeps you from working and is expected to last at least a year or
to result in death.
How Much Can You Get?
It depends on where you
live. The basic SSI amount is the same nationwide. However, many states add money to the basic benefit. You can call us at
1-800-772-1213 to find out the amounts for your state.
Other Help You Can Get
If you get SSI, you also
may be able to get other help from your state or county. For example, you may be able to get Medicaid, food stamps, or some
other social services. For information about all the services available in your community, call your local social services
department or public welfare office.
Survivors
Social Security Survivors - When you die, certain members or your family may be eligible for benefits if you earned
enough Social Security credits while you were working. The family members include: a widow(er) age 60 or older, 50 or older
if disabled or any age if caring for a child under age 16; your children if they are unmarried and under age 18, under 19
but still in school or 18 or older but disabled; and your parents if you were their primary means of support.
This is an explanation of the benefits Social Security can provide for the family. This booklet
is divided into two sections.
- If you are working, the first part tells you what kind of survivors benefits your
tax dollars are paying for and how those benefits are earned.
- If someone in your family has died, the second
part explains how to sign up for Social Security benefits and what you need to know after benefits start.
Veterans
Under the new law, you must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for the special
benefits:
- Be age 65 or older on December 14, 1999, the date P.L. 106-169 was enacted;
- Be a World War II veteran as described above;
- File an application for the special veterans benefits;
- Be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for December 1999;
- Be eligible for SSI for the month you apply for the special benefits; and
- Have other benefit income that is less than 75 percent of the current SSI federal benefit rate.
Qualified veterans will receive a monthly benefit equal to 75 percent of the current SSI federal
benefit rate less the amount of their benefit income for the month. There is no provision for the payment of benefits to dependents
or survivors.
Retirement
Social Security
Retirement - Benefits are payable at full retirement age (with reduced benefits available as early as age 62)
for anyone with enough Social Security credits. The full retirement age is 65 for persons born before 1938. The age gradually
rises until it reaches 67 for persons born in 1960 or later. People who delay retirement beyond full retirement age get special
credit for each month they don't receive a benefit until they reach age 70.
Generally, we advise people to apply for retirement benefits 3 months before they want their
benefits to begin. Even if you have no plans to receive benefits, you should still sign-up for Medicare 3 months before age
65.
You can apply for retirement benefits online. Connect to the Social Security Benefit application and follow the instructions. You can also apply by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.
Our representatives there can make an appointment for your application to be taken over the telephone or at any convenient Social Security office. |
24 Hot Line
Appeals
Beneficiary
What To Do When A Beneficiary Dies - Survivors
Change of Address
New Address?
- If you want to change your address you can contact IRS representatives by calling their
toll-free number, 1-800-829-3676, and request Form 8822 Change Of Address. They will be glad to help you.
Confirmation of Benefits
Letter
Direct Depost
Direct Deposit of Benefits- Direct deposit delivers your Social Security or Supple-mental Security Income (SSI) benefit
into your bank, savings and loan or credit union's account quickly and safely. The U.S. Treasury sends an electronic message
to your bank, savings and loan or credit union crediting your account with the exact amount of your Social Security or SSI
benefit. You can withdraw money, put some in savings or pay bills-the things you do with your money now. The difference is,
your check isn't printed or mailed. Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form (SF-1199A)
The Social Security Statement is a valuable document that
estimates your future Social Security benefits and tells you how to qualify for those benefits. This service allows you to
transmit your request for a Social Security Statement using an online form. At present, however, we do not send your statement
information back on the Internet. Instead, you will receive a response to your request by U.S. mail in 2-4 weeks.
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Representative Payment -Social Security's Representative Payment Program provides financial management for
the Social Security and SSI payments of our beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or SSI payments.
When friends and family are not able to serve as payee, Social Security looks for qualified organizations to be a representative
payee. A Guide For Representative Payees (Publication No. 05-10076).
Retirement
Generally, we advise people to apply for retirement benefits 3 months before they want their
benefits to begin. Even if you have no plans to receive benefits, you should still sign-up for Medicare 3 months before age
65.
You can apply for retirement benefits online. Connect to the Social Security Benefit application and follow the instructions. You can also apply by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.
Our representatives there can make an appointment for your application to be taken over the telephone or at any convenient Social Security office.
Social Security Card
If you need to replace a lost Social Security card, change the name shown on your card, or request
a replacement card, you need to complete Form SS-5 which is available for download. Or you can call 1-800-772-1213
Women
She needs to know what to do if she changes her name. And she needs to know that if she receives
a pension for work not covered by Social Security, her Social Security benefits could be affected.
Read this booklet to see what Social Security offers you.
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