The Ins and Outs of Social Security Benefits
View PDF | Print View
by: albert.tobega
Total views: 38
Word Count: 393
Social security benefits in the United States include the monetary compensation payable to individuals under the social security system, and are administered by the Social Security Administration. There are several categories of social security benefits, depending on the need that it seeks to address. Benefits may be payable to persons who have attained the stated pension age, or may be sick pay benefits to employees who are unable to work owing to chronic illnesses. Some segments of society can receive social security benefits through some specific clauses addressing that segment. For instance, the disability benefits are available for workers unable to continue their existing jobs, once they cross a required duration at work (calculated as credits). Disability benefits are paid through two programs: the Social Security disability insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
The main criteria for availing social security benefits is that the person claiming the benefit is unable to work or has to stop working due to a medical condition that may last up to an year or result in death. If an individual is employed with average monthly earnings exceeding a certain amount as decided by the administration, then the person will not be considered as disabled. The amount changes each year and can be accessed from the administrations Update (Publication No. 05 10003) for the current year. However, the Social Security Act does not recognize the validity of partial disability, and individuals claiming such conditions are not eligible for benefits. If the individual cannot perform the work he was able to in the past, the State agency looks to see if other alternative employment can be arranged. It evaluates the persons medical condition, age, education, past work experience and any skills that may fit another role. Should such efforts prove fruitless, and the agency is unable to provide the person with an alternative to earn his livelihood, the status of the employee as disabled would still be considered by the agency. State rules are more lenient for persons over the age of 50 and some benefits may accrue if the person applies for such relaxations. Even persons with low paying part time employment and consequently negligible savings have a good chance at obtaining social security benefits.
About the Author
See more on social security disability lawyer, visit www.hillandponton.com.
Rating: Not yet rated