Q & A
Will my wife qualify for Social Security Disability and Medicare based on the fact she is now disabled?
Full question: My wife never worked outside the home. She is 52 and recently had a stroke. She is making progress. However, she is not going to be driving; nor will she be able to do many of the “routine” activities she was capable of doing prior to the stroke. We have two teenagers; I work full time. We would like to hire some household help, but money is tight. Will my wife qualify for Social Security Disability and Medicare based on the fact she is now disabled?
Answer: Social Security Disability is awarded to disabled workers who no longer are “gainfully employed” due to a disability. There is no doubt that a stay-at-home mother is a hard-working individual. However, a stay-at-home mother is not paying FICA taxes. FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act) taxes include contributions to the Social Security and Medicare programs. In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, a worker must have paid into Social Security. The individual must meet an earnings test. The person must have (1) a recent work history and (2) and duration of work history. Read more.
Source: CapitalGazette.com – August 1, 2013
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