Are You Retired or Disabled? Earn Your Benefits

Today, more than 156 million people work and payThere are five major types of Social Security Disability
Social Security taxes. More than 47 million peoplebenefits.
receive monthly Social Security benefits. These taxes1. Disability Insurance Benefits
are used to pay benefits to workers who already2. Disabled Widow’s and Widower’s Benefits
have retired; people who are disabled; survivors of3. Disabled Adult Child Benefits
workers who have died; and dependents of qualified4. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
individuals.5. SSI Child’s Disability Benefits
How you become eligible to Social Security?Rules on disability benefits are followed strictly. They
As a person works and pay taxes, he or she earnshave a stern definition of disability. Their rules are
Social Security credits. These credits depend upon thedifferent from those of other private plans or
amount of an individual’s income. Every year, thegovernment agencies.
amount of income needed to earn a credit increase toSocial Security Act defines disability as “a
keep up with the wages. For 2008, a person shallperson’s disability to engage in any “Substantial
receive one credit per $1,050 earnings. A worker canGainful Activity” (SGA) by reason of any medically
get up to a maximum of four credits a year.determinable physical or mental impairment which can
Most people need forty credits equivalent to 10 yearsbe expected to result in death or has lasted or can be
of working to qualify for benefits. Younger peopleexpected to last for a continuous period of not less
need less credit for their family to be eligible.than 12 months.”
Retirement BenefitsA person may be considered disabled from another
Social Security retirement benefits can be received asprogram or agency but it doesn’t follow that he or
early as 62. However, few people understand theshe could also be classified as disabled by the Social
complicated rules that apply to people who continue toSecurity. Furthermore, having a statement from a
work after retirement age, or decide to retire beforedoctor that says a person is disabled does not
their full retirement age. Here are the following rules:automatically mean that he/she can be eligible to Social
• If you opt to retire in your full retirement age, youSecurity disability benefits.
shall be given your full retirement benefitsIt is possible that problems arise in the process of
• If you retire prior to attaining full retirement age,claiming for these benefits. Social Security does not
you will obtain smaller benefits for the remainder ofeasily provide welfare but considers every aspect of
your lifethe eligibility of the claim, such as, the employment
• If you work further than your full retirement age,record, prior contributions to Social Security, medical
you will acquire your full retirement benefits regardlessrecords, etc.
of how much income you earnOne may even have to apply several times before
• If you carry on with work and choose not togetting a positive approval of their claims. In the event
withdraw your retirement benefits until you become 70,that this happens, a Social Security benefit attorney
you shall get a hold of higher benefits when you retiremay help you.
• If you decide not to collect your retirementGet the most out of your Social Security benefit claim;
benefits earlier than your reach full retirement age, youappoint the services of our credible Los Angeles
must make sure to apply for Medicare when you getattorneys. Just log on to our website and take
to age 65.advantage of our free case evaluation services.
Disability Benefits