Social Security benefits are payable for retirement or disability to individuals who have a qualifying work history and to their spouses and dependents, and survivors.
Who is eligible?
Social Security benefits are available to individuals who are at least 62 years of age, blind, or disabled, who have worked for a required number of years for which Social Security taxes were paid; and to their spouses, dependents, and survivors. Full Social Security retirement benefits are payable at age 65 for people born before 1938. For those born 1938 or later, their full retirement age will be more than age 65. (A retirement age chart can be found at www.ssa.gov.) A lesser benefit amount is payable at age 62. Eligibility for Social Security disability benefits is based on having a qualifying medical impairment that is of sufficient severity to prevent the individual from being gainfully employed, for at least a year.
What benefits are provided?
Social Security provides monthly assistance payments. Benefit levels are based on a percentage of your average monthly income, adjusted for inflation, for which Social Security taxes were paid for most of your working life. Earned income and certain other income may reduce the amount of the monthly benefit. Recipients may receive lump sum payments for the period of time between the attainment of retirement age or the onset of blindness or disability and the date of the award. Social Security beneficiaries also receive Medicare insurance coverage, except that disability beneficiaries do not receive Medicare until the 24th month of eligibility.
How do I apply?
You may apply for Social Security benefits through your local Social Security office. There is a toll-free Social Security application number, 1-800-7721213, and a toll-free TDD application number, 1-800-325-0778, for the deaf or hearing-impaired. You do not have to apply in person. If you are applying for disability benefits, you will have to provide the representative at the Social Security office with relevant medical records as directed in the application. You may also apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
