SOCIAL SECURITY- (TOLEDO, OH)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GENERAL
Question:
I applied for a Social Security card for my baby at the hospital, but the card came back with the wrong name. What do I do?
Answer:
This is very rare, but if it does happen, go to your local Social Security office or card center. We need to see original documents proving your child’s:
• U.S. citizenship;
• Age; and
• Identity.
If you corrected the child’s birth certificate, we will want to see that. We also will need to see a document proving your identity. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. To learn what documents we will accept, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
Question:
My daughter just joined a non-profit charity and is helping victims of natural disasters. She gets a salary. We were wondering if she has to pay Social Security tax.
Answer:
Yes, people who work for non-profits and who receive a salary must pay Social Security tax just like everyone else. It is commendable that she is helping people in need. But the fact is that she is also a wage-earner. Those wages and the Social Security tax she pays on them will offer her financial relief in the future, when it comes time to apply for Social Security. So she is really helping herself, too. For more information, visit our electronic publication, How You Earn Credits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
RETIREMENT
Question:
What is the earliest age that I can apply for my Social Security retirement benefits?
Answer:
If you want benefits to begin at age 62 — the earliest age you can receive reduced retirement benefits — you must be at least 61 years and 9 months of age to apply. Keep in mind that if you retire before your full retirement age, your monthly benefit amount will be permanently reduced. On the flip side, if you delay your benefits until after your full retirement age, you’ll receive higher benefits because of delayed retirement credits. Even if you are not ready to retire, you should still sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday. You can do both (and try out different retirement scenarios) online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.
Question:
Can I delay my retirement benefits and receive benefits as a spouse only? How does that affect me?
Answer:
It depends on your age. If you are full retirement age or older when you first apply, and your spouse is receiving Social Security benefits, you can choose to apply and receive benefits on just your spouse’s Social Security record. This way, you could delay applying for benefits on your own record in order to receive delayed retirement credits. If you are full retirement age or older, and have already applied for retirement benefits, you can request to have payments suspended. If you qualify for a spouse’s benefit, you can receive those payments and earn delayed retirement credits on your own record. By applying only for benefits as a spouse, you may receive a higher retirement benefit on your own record later based on the effect of delayed retirement credits. You can earn delayed retirement credits up to age 70 as long as you do not collect your own benefits. Since the rules vary depending on the situation, you may want to talk to a Social Security representative about the options available to you. To learn more, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
Question:
What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
Answer:
The SSI program provides monthly payments to people with limited income and financial resources who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled. In 2013, the maximum federal SSI payment is $710 a month for an individual and $1,066 a month for an eligible couple. Keep in mind this amount may be reduced if you have other income. Many states supplement SSI payments. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs to view electronic leaflets about these state supplements. To get SSI, your financial resources (savings and assets you own) cannot exceed $2,000 ($3,000 if married). If you are married and only one person is eligible, a portion of your spouse’s income may be counted. You can be eligible for SSI even if you have never worked in employment covered under Social Security. There are other requirements as well. Learn more by reading or listening to the publication SSI or You May Be Able To Get SSI. Both are available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
Question:
Are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits subject to federal income tax?
Answer:
No. SSI payments are not subject to federal taxes. However, if you also receive Social Security benefits, those benefits may be subject to income taxes. Learn more about SSI by visiting our publications library at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs and selecting the “SSI” topic on the left.
DISABILITY
Question:
Do disabled children qualify for benefits?
Answer:
Yes. There are two disability programs run by Social Security that include benefits for disabled children. Under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, a child from birth to age 18 may receive monthly payments based on disability or blindness if: the child has an impairment or combination of impairments that meet the definition of disability for children; and the income and resources of the parents and the child are within the allowed limits. Under the Social Security Disability Insurance program, an adult child (a person age 18 or older) may receive monthly benefits based on disability or blindness if: the child has an impairment or combination of impairments that meet the definition of disability for adults; the disability began before age 22; and the adult child’s parent worked long enough to be insured under Social Security and is receiving retirement or disability benefits or is deceased. You will find helpful links to the online forms and the steps you need to take to apply for childhood disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.
Question:
Does Social Security provide special services or information for people who are blind or visually impaired?
Answer:
Yes. Social Security offers a number of services and products specifically designed for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Special Notice Option: If you are blind or visually impaired, you can choose to receive notices and other information from Social Security in ways that may be more convenient for you. To find out more about this service, go to our page, If You Are Blind Or Visually Impaired — Your Choices For Receiving Information from Social Security, at www.socialsecurity.gov/notices. In addition, if you have a question about a Social Security notice you receive, you may call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call or visit your local Social Security office and ask us to read it to you.
Public Information Materials: Many of our publications, such as brochures and fact sheets, are available in Braille, audio cassette tapes, compact disks, or in enlarged print. Our publication, If You Are Blind Or Have Low Vision — How We Can Help, and other publications in alternative formats can be obtained by calling, toll-free, 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
For more information, check out our public information materials in alternative media at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/alt-pubs.html.
MEDICARE
Question:
I understand you must have limited resources to be eligible for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. What does this mean?
To qualify for Extra Help in 2013, your resources are limited to $13,300 for an individual or $26,580 for a married couple living together. Resources include the value of the things you own. Some examples are real estate (other than your primary residence); bank accounts, including checking, savings, and certificates of deposit; stocks; bonds, including U.S. Savings Bonds; mutual funds; Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs); and cash at home or anywhere else. To learn more about Extra Help, and to apply online, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.
