Social Security

 

 

What is Social Security?

Social Security is a "safety net" of income for older adults. As people work throughout their lifetime, they contribute through payroll deductions to their social security "account". At a certain age, a person can then elect to receive monthly payments based on those earnings.

Social Security has many programs. Some of them are:

• Medicare
• Medicare Prescription Drug Program
• Medicaid
• Retirement
• Disability
• Death Payments

Make sure that you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. Talk to a Social Security representative at their toll-free number 1-800-772-1213 or go online to find information

 

 

Benefits

The Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) is a tool that you can use to find out if you could be eligible for benefits from any of the programs Social Security administers. This tool will give you eligibility information based on answers you give to the questions. The program is not an application for benefits.

Social Security also offers various planning tools to help you plan for the future which would include Social Security benefits. To calculate what that amount may be, Social Security offers online calculators and periodically sends out statements that estimate monthly amounts based on past earnings.

 

 

Disability Programs

The Social Security Administration is responsible for two major programs that provide benefits based on disability:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
  based on prior work under Social Security
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  payments are made on the basis of financial need

 

 

Representative Payee

"More than six million people who get monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, or both, need someone to help them manage their money. When a person needs this kind of help, the Social Security Administration--after a careful investigation--appoints a relative, friend or another interested party to serve as the beneficiary's "representative payee." The person's Social Security or SSI benefits are then paid in the representative payee's name on the beneficiary's behalf." *Social Security

 

 

Medicare and Medicaid and the
Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Part D)

Medicare and Medicaid fall under the Social Security Administration but will be discussed as separate resources.

 

 

Quick Web Reference

To follow are direct links to helpful resources on the Social Security website. Social Security Homepage providing access to a wealth of information about Social Security and the various programs offered. Social Security Disability Programs a comprehensive page of the Social Security website that offers descriptions of the disability programs, who is eligible, how to apply, etc. Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool a screening tool designed to help you identify all the benefits you may be eligible for from the different benefit programs offered. Disability Planner explains the benefits available, how you can qualify, and who can receive benefits on your earnings record. It will also explain how to apply for the benefits and what happens when your application is approved. Representative Payee "More than six million people who get monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, or both, need someone to help them manage their money. When a person needs this kind of help, the Social Security Administration--after a careful investigation--appoints a relative, friend or another interested party to serve as the beneficiary's "representative payee." The person's Social Security or SSI benefits are then paid in the representative payee's name on the beneficiary's behalf." *Social Security

 

 

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