North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

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August 30, 2010

Social Security answers questions

The North Jefferson News

NORTH JEFFERSON — When will I get my automatic Social Security Statement?

If you are at least 25 years old and not yet receiving benefits, you should receive your annual Social Security statement about three months before your birthday. If your automatic statement has not arrived and you are within one month before the month of your birth or if you need a statement sooner, you can request one at any time by going to www.socialsecurity.gov/statement.

 

If Social Security is for the retired and disabled, why would my new baby need a Social Security number?

Social Security is not just for the retired and disabled. Survivors of deceased workers and the families of retired or disabled workers also qualify for benefits. In fact, about four million children currently receive benefits.

Nine out of 10 children would be eligible to receive benefits if a parent retires, becomes disabled, or dies. But children need a Social Security number before they can receive benefits. Children also need a number for reasons not connected with Social Security benefits. For example, children need a Social Security number to be claimed as a dependent on a tax return, open a bank account, or buy U.S. Savings Bonds.

Also, your child needs a number to be eligible for some social services and benefits such as Temporary Assistance to Families, food stamps, and Medicaid.



My neighbor, who is retired, told me that the income he receives from his part-time job at the local nursery gives him an increase in his Social Security benefits. If I go back to work will my benefits increase?

If you return to work after you start receiving benefits, you may be able to receive a higher benefit based on those earnings. This is because Social Security automatically re-computes the benefit after crediting the additional earnings to the individual’s earnings record. If those earnings are higher than one of the years of earnings we used to compute your current benefit, your benefit may be increased. Learn more about how we figure your retirement benefit by reading the publication Your Retirement Benefit: How It Is Figured, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10070.html.     



What is the difference between Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability?

The Social Security Administration runs two major programs that provide benefits based on disability: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI. SSDI is financed with Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers and self-employed persons. To be eligible for a Social Security benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work to be “insured” for Social Security purposes. Disability benefits are payable to blind or disabled workers, survivors, or adults disabled since childhood, who are otherwise eligible. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker.

SSI is a needs-based program financed through general revenues. SSI disability benefits are payable to adults or children who are disabled or blind, have limited income and resources, meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise eligible. The monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be supplemented by the State or decreased by countable income and resources.

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