A description of the types of benefits available as well; the steps of the Social Security process and other information. Helpful for clients to understand how the whole process works and where they are at in their case.
1
THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROCESS
Interview: An initial interview is the starting point of a case. At that time, the attorney/law firm gathers information, evaluates your case and allows you to evaluate and determine if you wish to hire the attorney.
2
TYPES OF BENEFITS THAT ARE AVAILABLE
Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI)
Someone is eligible for these benefits only if he or she have paid in a certain amount of Social Security tax over a period of time, enough to have disability insurance coverage in force. In general, a person must have worked and paid Social Security tax for about five out of the last ten years before the disability began. People who get disability insurance also get Medicare, at any age, starting 30 months after their legal disability began.
3
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI can be paid whether or not a person has paid in enough Social Security tax to get disability insurance benefits. You must be disabled under the same rules as for disability insurance, or be blind, or over 65. The applicant must also have very little income or property, because this benefit is based on financial need. Also, some children 18 or younger with a severe disability can get a monthly SSI benefit if their family income is low enough
4
Disabled Widow/Widower Benefits (DWB)
This is a special disability benefit for certain widows and widowers, based on the Social Security tax paid by his or her deceased spouse. In order to qualify, a person must be between the ages of 50 and 60 and have been married for at least 10 years to the person who was covered under Social Security at the time of his or her death. Also, the disability must have been severe enough to meet these rules within 7 years of the spouse’s death, with some exceptions for those already receiving other kinds of Social Security benefit
5
Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB)
For this category, someone must be a relative of a person already receiving Disability Insurance or Retirement Benefits, or who died while covered for Social Security. The applicant must never have married, be at least 19 years old and must prove that total disability began before the month they turned 22, and is continuing. The monthly benefits based on a percentage of the parent’s rate. This category comes with Medicare too.
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