The Social Security program provides financial assistance to retirees, disabled individuals, people with limited income, and family members of beneficiaries.
Retirement Benefits
To become eligible for retirement benefits, a person should have worked at least 10 years and have contributed enough to his Social Security funds.
While the normal retirement age is 65 for individuals born before 1938, 66 for those who were born in 1943-1954, and 67 for people born in 1960s onwards, beneficiaries can receive this benefit as early as 62 or postpone this until they reach the age of 70.
However, starting this benefit even before reaching the full retirement age has its drawback. According to the Social Security agency, the earlier a person starts receiving his claims, the bigger the cuts in his benefits are.
For example, if an individual with full retirement age of 67 wants to receive his benefits at the early age of 62, his claims will be reduced by at least 30 percent. His benefits may be even reduced if he decides to continue working. However, these cuts will be removed when he reaches his full retirement age.
In addition, people who are receiving retirement benefits are also eligible to receive benefits under the Medicaid program when they reach the age of 65.
Survivor benefits
A Social Security taxpayer’s family members can also receive benefits:
• Widowed spouse age 60 years and older
• Widowed spouse with disability age 50 years and older
• Widowed spouse, regardless of his/her age, who are taking care of the deceased child age 16 and below or disabled.
• Unmarried children age 18 years and below. In some cases, grandchildren, stepchildren, and adopted can also receive survivor benefits.
• Disabled children, regardless of their age, who have their condition before reaching the age of 22 years old.
• Parents age 62 and older who were financially dependent on the deceased
Disability benefits
Social Security eligibility also includes being physically disabled, preventing someone to work and be productive. However, to become qualified, a person should have paid Social Security taxes during his past employments.
Usually, the agency will grant this benefit to people with severe medical condition than those who suffer in short-term and partial disability. Also, the agency also grants benefits to people with certain impairments (e.g. blindness), debilitating illnesses, and mental disorders.
If beneficiaries recover from their disability, the agency will stop providing them with their benefits.
Meanwhile, disabled beneficiaries will automatically receive Medicaid program after two years of receiving the benefits.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
Unlike in disability and retirement benefits which are funded by the Social Security, the SSI receives its funds from the general tax revenue which means that a person can receive this benefit even if he did not pay Social Security taxes.
SSI program provides financial assistance to elderly, disabled, and blind people with a limited source of income—allowing them to have a decent living and afford basic necessities such as shelter, food, medicine, and clothing.
For your concerns regarding Social Security Eligibility, you can consult with our experienced social security law attorneys. You can visit our website for legal consultation.
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