Q: I have a business under my name but my spouse runs it. Can I have still apply for social security benefits?
A: The SSA defines the word disability as being unable to complete any substantial activity that will earn you a living. What is considered “substantial gainful activity” comes from the National Wage Index, which averages monthly wages across the board. The SSA considers an applicant to be working or employed at any time the that person “is the owner or part owner of a trade or business even if he or she does not actually work in the trade or business or receive any income from it.”
Your business income may affect your social security benefits. The income you receive from your business, regardless of who runs it, may be considered substantial if it exceeds a determined SGA (or substantial gainful activity) level. The SSA determines this SGA level by doing a comparison of the income of your business to the income you received before you became disabled, as well as to the income of a healthy individual doing the same business.
Q: If I pass away while I am in the Social Security Disability application process, where does my claim go?
A: The SSA states that when an individual who was or could have been eligible to receive social security benefits becomes deceased, surviving family member can request a Lump Sum Death Payment. What does this mean? If you die in the while your claim for social security benefits is pending, your family may be able to get some of the benefits you would have been eligible to receive after the waiting period. To do this, surviving family members need to prove that their deceased relative did or could have qualified for social security benefits in the month that they died.
Only certain close family members are eligible for these survivor’s social security benefits. When making the claim, the family will need to provide information and records about the deceased’s social security benefits eligibility and application (if there was one). The SSA will also want to see information about the deceased’s overall disability, starting at fourteen months before death.
Q: If I am receiving social security benefits and I die, what happens to them?
A: A person who has worked and paid social security taxes may be eligible for survivor’s benefits upon their death. For one’s family to be eligible for survivor’s benefits, up to 10 years of work is needed, depending on one’s age. Survivors’ social security benefits can be paid to:
• A widow or widower, who will receive full benefits at retirement age, and reduced benefits starting at 60
• A disabled spouse aged 50 or over
• Unmarried children under 18 (or up to 19 if attending high school)
• Children of any age disabled before the age of 22
• Dependent parents over 62 years of age.
December 5th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Yes, you paid into the system and that is why you are able to apply for SSD benefits instead of SSI benefits.
Q: “I am already getting Social Security Disability but its not enough, I need to get more money. ”
A: This is a situation that many people find themselves in, and it is a frustrating one. Unfortunately when you are receiving Social Security Disability there is not a such thing as getting more money. Social Security Disability is very “all or nothing”; you are either approved and receive your full benefits, or you are not approved and do not receive a thing.
December 6th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
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December 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
The Social Security Act defines disability as either a physical or mental condition that prevents the sufferer from engaging in any activity that generates income, and that can either result in his or her death or last for 12 months or more. For many people, the confusion stems from not knowing when they can apply for Social Security benefits and when they can start collecting payments. The fact is that you should apply for disability as soon as possible, even on the first day of your disability if you can manage to do so. The act of processing your claim can take much longer than expected and if you wait too long before doing so, you may miss out on some benefits, as well as run the risk of delaying the process even more. Even if you hire the services of a Social Security lawyer, the entire claim process can still last a lot longer than you anticipated.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
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December 16th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
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December 20th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
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December 21st, 2008 at 7:57 pm
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December 22nd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
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December 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Q: “I am currently receiving SSD benefits, but it is just not enough money. How do I get more?.
A: This is a situation that many people find themselves in, and it is a frustrating one. However, in the world of Social Security benefits, the idea of “getting more money” just does not exist. Social Security Disability is very “all or nothing”; you are either approved and receive your full benefits, or you are not approved and do not receive a thing.
December 26th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
, showing that you made regular payments on behalf of or in support of your child
• Other evidence of the child’s dependence
Financial dependability (and eligibility for social security benefits) of a stepchild, on the other hand, will only determined when that child lives with you and shares with you a parent and child relationship. Generally, your spouse’s legitimate natural child, legally adopted child, or illegitimate natural child will be considered a step child. Even after divorcing your step child’s natural parent (that is, your husband or wife) or after his or her death, the child will be considered financially dependent upon you and therefore eligible for benefits as long as he or she resides in your home and shares with you a child parent relationship.
In any of the above cases, you can provide proof of your relationship to your child. If you choose, you can also provide proof that you do not live with or contribute financially to the support of your child.
December 27th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
These frequently asked questions will clarify which disability benefits you are eligible for, and how far your benefits will stretch.
Is it possible to get partial disability through SSA?
No, Social Security does not offer disability benefits to people with partial or short term disabilities. Only people whose disability is considered complete and is expected to last more than one year are eligible for social security benefits. (Note that if you qualify for disability benefits, you may hold down a job as long as your maximum possible income is beneath a level determined by SSA. )
I am able to work, but not at the level I used to, nor can I earn the same money I used to.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Social Security Benefits: Your Questions about Social Security Credits
Q: According to Social Security, I haven’t obtained enough credits to be eligible for benefits. How do these credits work, and how is it possible for me to not have enough when I have worked for years and paid taxes the whole time?
A: When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits that are used to qualify you for social security benefits. The Social Security service bases the number of credits a person receives on the amount of money they earn and the amount of time they have worked. The necessary income level for receiving social security benefits credits rises a bit each year; as of 2008, you receive one credit for every $1,050 you earn. You can receive a maximum of four credits annually (which is why credits are also called ‘quarters’), and any credits you earn will remain on your record even during periods in which you’re not working.
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
This is because the process can take a lot longer than anticipated, and waiting too long before you apply may mean delaying your benefits even longer, as well as risking the chance of lost benefits. Keep in mind that even with the help of an experienced Social Security lawyer, the claim process can still take a long time. Keep in mind that you will also have to be out of work for at least 5 months before you can begin to receive disability benefits.
Some people have also wondered why the entire process takes so long, in some cases lasting for more than a year. Even enlisting the help of a Social Security lawyer does not necessarily speed up the time to see a judge.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
For many people, the confusion stems from not knowing when they can apply for Social Security benefits and when they can start collecting payments. What you should realize is that it is important that you file for disability as early as you can, even on the day that you are disabled if possible. This is because the process can take a lot longer than anticipated, and waiting too long before you apply may mean delaying your benefits even longer, as well as risking the chance of lost benefits. Keep in mind that even with the help of an experienced Social Security lawyer, the claim process can still take a long time. In addition, you will also have to be unable to work for at least 5 full months before you can begin receiving disability benefits.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
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January 16th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
To address the differing requirements of different sections of the society, the Social security administration pays the social security benefits through two different programs; the Social Security disability insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
The main criteria for availing social security benefits is that the person claiming the benefit is unable to work or has to stop working due to a medical condition that may last up to an year or result in death. If an individual is employed with average monthly earnings exceeding a certain amount as decided by the administration, then the person will not be considered as disabled. The administration’s Update (Publication No. 05 10003) stipulates the cut off amount for the present year and this amount changes from year to year depending upon the economic conditions.
January 17th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
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January 20th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
You can receive a maximum of four credits annually (which is why credits are also called ‘quarters’), and any credits you earn will remain on your record even during periods in which you’re not working.
A certain number of credits or quarters are required in order to qualify you to receive social security benefits. The number of credits you need for social security is based on your current age, and is calculated by the number of years you have worked. Most people looking to qualify for retirement social security benefits (that is, over the age of 62) will need 40 credits, or 10 years of work, to be eligible for benefits.
It does occur, however, that a person of retirement age who has worked for what seems to be the correct number of years does not have enough credits to qualify him or her for social security benefits.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
You should be aware that you may be able to claim Social Security Disability benefits or SSD if you have any type of disease or medical condition that makes it hard or impossible for you to engage in any type of income generating activity. The main purpose of the SSD is to provide individuals that are deemed by the government to be disabled to receive a certain amount of money every month. To be granted these benefits, an applicant will have to fulfill the following requirements: he or she must be suffering from a medical condition that prevents the pursuance of work, or that is expected to result in death.
Keep in mind however, that various factors will be considered in your application for Social Security Disability benefits, among them your age, your educational attainment, your work experience, how you comply with treatment, your daily activities, and the type of treatment that you will undergo. Hiring a social security lawyer may prove to be very beneficial to you when filing your claim, since conforming to all of those requirements does not necessarily guarantee that you will be approved.
January 24th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
The rules for each one can be quite complicated, which is why hiring a social security lawyer can be helpful. A social security lawyer will be able to tell you the differences between each one and which will best suit your needs. This article will go into detail about two types of benefits in particular; Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income or SSI. Your eligibility of SSDI is dependent on your work history and disability, while SSI takes into consideration disability, as well as your income, old age or blindness.
A social security lawyer can help you in the SSDI application process if you are currently in a physical or mental state that keeps you from working.
January 27th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
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January 29th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
The state agency takes into account applicants’ health, age, experience, and education when evaluating which jobs they are suited to do. If you need help moving to a better job that would enable you to support yourself, assistance is available.
Many applicants are told by their doctors that there is no further treatment for their condition, but their social security agents ask them to continue visiting doctors. If this is what you are dealing with right now, there is an explanation! First, the state agency in charge of your social security benefits may need more information to evaluate your case, and your regular doctors may not have the equipment or experience necessary to provide it. The agency may arrange for you to see another doctor.
February 1st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
For soldiers who have done their duty for their country, the Department of Veteran Affairs offers several types of disability benefits. But each veteran receives different types of benefits– and not all of these benefits are equally valuable. The Department of Veteran Affairs has 8 “priority groups” which they use to decide which types of benefits a veteran will receive; “1″ is the highest and “8″ (which as of 2003 is no longer assigned to new veterans) is the lowest. The level of priority you are given will depend entirely on your disability (and whether it is service- or non-service-connected), your situation financially, and the level or intensity of your disability.
Because the fact of a disability originating from service-related or non-service-related sources has a generous impact on your veteran disability benefits, it’s important to know the qualification requirements for both types of benefits.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
The exam is paid for by the Social Security Administration.
Q: Will my doctor conduct a requested consultative examination?
A; A consultative examination is almost never provided by the doctor who currently provides your care. A doctor who has not previously treated you will most likely provide the scheduled exam. If you have any concerns regarding the particular physician scheduled to provide your exam, you can contact your social security disability examiner. You may object, for example, if the physician has examined you before for an insurance or work related claim.
February 12th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
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February 22nd, 2009 at 8:26 pm
The exam is paid for by the Social Security Administration.
Q: Who will perform a CE requested by the Social Security Administration?
A: The disability manager for your case will typically not request that your physician conduct the CE. The examination is normally conducted by a physician who has not treated you for the current injury or condition. If you have any concerns regarding the particular physician scheduled to provide your exam, you can contact your social security disability examiner. You may object, for example, if the physician has examined you before for an insurance or work related claim.
February 26th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
A social security lawyer will tell you that this often happens when an applicant simply hasn’t worked enough. But it also can happen due to delays in application, or a “disability onset date” which is adjusted by a judge or other official during the application process. If this happens, your first step should be to consult a social security lawyer or advocate to find out your options.
Q: If I have an SSD claim pending, can I still work?
A: A social security lawyer will define an SSD eligible disability as one that will prevent you from making a gainful income in your or any other field. This doesn’t necessarily mean, though, that you cannot work at all.
March 6th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
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March 15th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
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April 17th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
The Social Security service bases the number of credits a person receives on the amount of money they earn and the amount of time they have worked. With each year that passes, the amount of money you need to make in order to earn social security credits rises; in 2008, it is one credit for $1,050 of earnings. You can receive a maximum of four credits annually (which is why credits are also called ‘quarters’), and any credits you earn will remain on your record even during periods in which you’re not working.
In order to qualify for social security benefits, you need to reach a certain number of credits. This number is based on age, and is generally calculated by number of years worked.
May 21st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
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June 7th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
If there is a chance that the condition will improve, a review will be done in 3 years. If the condition is deemed permanent, a review will be done in 5 to 7 years.
The review will be conducted by the Disability Determination Services department of the Social Security Administration in order to find out if the member should go on receiving Social Security benefits. A number of questions will be asked regarding the original condition, any changes that have occurred, any treatment that has recently been undertaken, and the work status of the member since the Social Security benefits were given. At this point, a medical examiner will determine whether or not the condition has improved.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
However, the persons earning above a certain quantum of salary will not be considered for social security benefits. The amount changes each year and can be accessed from the administration’s Update (Publication No. 05 10003) for the current year. However, the Social Security Act does not recognize the validity of partial disability, and individuals claiming such conditions are not eligible for benefits. In case a person is unable to perform a previously held job, the administration looks for an equitable alternative for the person.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:57 pm
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July 25th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Q: If you have a social security attorney, do you have to do anything to file for disability?
A: A social security attorney typically handles all the paperwork after you have applied for benefits. You should submit your own application for an initial claim. You will also be required to personally complete information about employment history and your ability to do your usual tasks. Your attorney will assist you and make sure you complete those forms. Your social security attorney will also follow up with Social Security to make sure everything has been submitted correctly and on time.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
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September 5th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
As evidence of a disability, the SSA will look at your medical records. If there is little or no medical documentation of your disability, there is an overwhelming chance that your Social Security benefits claim will be denied.
When applying for Social Security benefits, the SSA considers it your own responsibility to document and track the progress of your disability. If you wish to apply for Social Security benefits, it is key to be specific and forthright about your symptoms when you speak with your doctor; even if the visits do nothing for your condition. During each visit, assure that your doctor documents your symptoms and your condition.
September 12th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
If you are in financial trouble with businesses, credit card companies, mortgage companies, etc, they cannot touch your payments. Government entities can collect your benefits checks, however. For instance, the government can dip into your social security disability benefits payments if you are behind on a government insured student loan. The only other agencies who can collect your benefits checks are those handling your delinquent child support or alimony payments.
Q: If you are a landlord, will that negatively impact your ability to collect social security disability benefits?
A: The disability examiner for your social security disability case is interested in whether or not you can earn income through employment.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
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October 3rd, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Am I still eligible for social security benefits?
Yes, you can file for disability benefits if you are making less than a certain amount per month, averaged over a full year. The amount changes annually, so check the official Social Security web site or booklets to find out what the current limit is.
However, be aware that your earnings in your current job are not the only earnings the state agency will take into account. If you could make more money by switching to another job, you will be ineligible for disability benefits. The state agency will take into account your medical condition, education, skills, work experience, and age when determining whether you could move to another job, so you will not be required to do work that you are not well enough to do or that you have not been trained to do.
November 26th, 2009 at 6:22 am
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November 29th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Your Social Security Benefits Questions: Social Security Credits
Q: According to Social Security, I haven’t obtained enough credits to be eligible for benefits. What are Social Security credits, and how can I not have enough of them when I’ve worked and paid taxes for years?
A: When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits that are used to qualify you for social security benefits. The number of credits you receive is based on both income and the number of years worked. With each year that passes, the amount of money you need to make in order to earn social security credits rises; in 2008, it is one credit for $1,050 of earnings. These credits are also called quarters, as you can earn a maximum of four of them a year; any social security “quarters” that you earn during your working career will remain on your record even during times of unemployment.
December 7th, 2009 at 6:26 am
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December 26th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Regardless of what you can afford now, resist temptation to spend. Try to put savings away for the sole purpose of supporting you through the long wait that may happen with your social security disability application. Mandatory expenditures can sometimes be adjusted to allow flexibility during the waiting period. Some utility companies, for example, offer low income energy assistance programs. Refinancing a mortgage or other loan to free up funds can be an option.
December 27th, 2009 at 6:31 am
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