Social Security & Medicare Support

Social Security Eligibility

Understanding Eligibility/Qualifications for Social Security Benefits:

Eligibility for receiving Social Security benefits will depend on what type of Social Security you are applying for, for example, if you are younger than retirement age, the type of Social Security for you would come under "Disability Benefits". That is you are under 65, but have met the work requirements and become disabled under the rules of the program. You would also be eligible as dependents' or Survivors' for benefits. That is a spouse of a retired or disabled person; or spouse of a deceased worker (who has qualified) and/or children would be eligible. You may qualify under "Retirement or Disability Benefits", whichever is the larger amount.

The other example for qualifying for Social Security benefits is that you are of retirement age, have worked and paid your Social Security taxes and earned enough points under the guidelines for retirement benefits.

In this section we will show you all the requirements to be eligible and qualify for the type of Social Security you might be applying for at this time.

Eligibility/Qualifications for Social Security Retirement Benefits:

All wage-earners who are seeking to be eligible for retirement benefits must have earned a required number of "work credits", these work credits are earned during the time spent working and paying taxes on income earned over the years. Typically, you can expect this to be about 10 years of work and earn the qualifying amount of 40 credits over that period of time. Most of us work longer than 10 years and exceed the number of required credits. Additional credits will bring additional benefits based on how long you actually work and pay taxes into the system.

Usually, the retirement age is 65, but you can opt for what is called "early retirement" starting as early as the years between 62 and your full retirement age. However, your retirement benefits will be reduced for the duration of time you retired.

Eligibility/Qualifications for Social Security "Disability" Benefits or SSDI:

The Social Security Administration offers two programs that provide financial assistance to people with disabilities. Each program has requirements that you must meet in order to qualify for benefits under the program. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to workers that are considered medically disabled. Applicants for SSDI benefits must have paid enough Social Security employment taxes to be considered eligible to receive benefits once they become disabled. If you are not eligible for SSDI benefits, you may still qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. These benefits are reserved for elderly, blind or disabled individuals with restricted income and resources.

It is hard to determine if you actually are eligible or qualify for Disability Benefits (SSDI) under certain guidelines. However, the simplest way to know for sure is to apply for Social Security benefits as soon as your medical condition makes it impossible for you to work, or at the very least makes it impossible for you to work and earn what is considered to be a decent monthly income. There may be other reasons for becoming eligible to SSDI or SSI. Some of the following reasons are not always well know and are included below:

Social Security Disability Insurance Eligibility (SSDI):

• SSDI Programs helps you and certain family members that have worked long enough and paid SS taxes.
• Your adult child, including an adopted child, or in some cases, a stepchild, grandchild, or step grandchild that is unmarried, age 18 may qualify for benefits on your earnings record if he/she has a disability that started before the age 22.
• You can't do the work that you did before.
• If Social Security recognizes that you can't adjust to other work because of your medical condition.
• If your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or even to result in death.

Supplemental Security (SSI) Eligibility:

• Age 65 or older
• Blind or Disabled
• Has limited income and resources.
• A U.S. citizen or national.
• A resident of one the 50 State's, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana islands.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability is different than any other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability. This is not to say that you have got to be permanently disabled, it says to qualify that you have to be disabled for a least one year or more. You can qualify under these conditions and still return to work after a year or more.

More of your questions may be answered in other sections of this web site under the headings of SSI, Application, Medicare, Litigation and Disability. When you click on any one of those topics, you will get more in depth information pertaining to each one of these subjects.