Q & A
Should you give Social Security numbers on applications?
Full Question: Last year I noticed online applications starting to ask for an applicant’s Social Security number. Apparently if I don’t submit the number, I can’t go any further in the application process. I feel this is terribly unsafe and recently…
Does Medicare Supplement insurance cover Long Term Care?
Answer: No! According to page 127 of Medicare & You 2014, long term care includes medical and non-medical care for people who have a chronic illness or disability. Non-medical care includes non-skilled personal care assistance, such as help with every day activities…
Can I get Social Security Disability Benefits if I suffer from Guillain Barre Syndrome?
Answer: Guillain Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) is a very serious autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack your nervous system. GBS results in widespread tingling and weakness of extremities which can lead to pain and even paralysis. The symptoms…
I understand that to get Social Security disability benefits, my disability must last at least a year or be expected to result in death. But I’m disabled now. Does this mean that I must wait a year after becoming disabled before I can receive benefits?
Answer: No. You do not have to wait a year after becoming disabled. If you’re disabled and expect to be out of work for at least a year, you should apply for disability benefits right away. It can take months to…
What are the requirements for receiving disabled widow’s benefits?
Answer: You may be able to get disabled widow(er)’s benefits at age 50 if you meet Social Security’s disability requirement. Your disability must have started before age 60 and within seven years of the latest of the following dates: the month…
I am 65 and my wife is 62 and receiving spouse’s benefits. When will she qualify for Medicare benefits?
Answer: Most people must wait until age 65 to qualify for Medicare benefits. Some people can get Medicare at any age, including those who: • Have been getting Social Security disability benefits for 24 months or more. • Have kidney failure…
I thought there were just two parts to Medicare, but my mom said there are more. How many parts to Medicare are there?
Answer: There are four parts to Medicare: • Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care and other services; • Part B (doctor insurance) helps pay for doctors’ fees, outpatient hospital visits and other…
I moved in with my parents until I get back on my feet. Why did my Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment decrease?
Answer: Whether you apply for retirement benefits online, by phone or in an office, we suggest that you have the following information at hand when you do it. It will make completing the application easier for you. You will need: •…
If I get approved, how much will I receive in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?
Answer: The amount of your SSI benefit depends, in part, on the amount of other income you have. For 2014, the basic, maximum federal SSI payment is $710 per month for an individual and $1,082 per month for a couple. However,…
I understand that to get Social Security disability benefits, my disability must last at least a year or be expected to result in death. But I’m disabled now. Does this mean that I must wait a year after becoming disabled before I can receive benefits?
Answer: No. You do not have to wait a year after becoming disabled. If you’re disabled and expect to be out of work for at least a year, you should apply for disability benefits right away. It can take months to…