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Social Security Programs

Social Security Programs The Variety of Social Security Programs

The Social Security program and the Supplemental Security Income disability program are two of the largest Federal programs that assist individuals with disabilities. While both serve different purposes, they are both run by the Social Security Administration.
 Social Security (SS) is a social welfare program that is funded entirely payroll taxes collected under the authority by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, sometimes known as the FICA taxes. FICA taxes not only fund various social security benefits, including Medicare.

The United States Social Security allows individuals to apply for various benefits under the SS program. They provide benefits ranging from retirement benefits, Medicare, supplemental security income, as well as other services. There are different requirements depending on which SS program an individual would like to apply for.

Applying for Disability Benefits

In order to apply for benefits, an individual must be at least 18 or older, have worked and paid SS taxes for a qualifying amount, have a medical condition that prevents being able to work for at least a year or that will end in death.

In order to apply for SS disability benefits, one can review the Adult Disability Checklist online to see what is needed before filling out the online Process. Next, the Disability Benefit application as well as the Adult Disability Report must be filled out. These forms can be mailed or brought to a local SS office. Alternatively, they can be filed in person by making an appointment with a local SS office.

Applying for Retirement Benefits

Applying for SS Retirement benefits or a spouse’s benefits requires certain qualifications to be fulfilled. The individual must be at least 61 years and 9 months old, live in the United States, and want benefits to start within the next four months from the application.

Applying for Medicare Benefits

Medicare is another SS program designed to provide Health Insurance for individuals 65 year or older as well as individuals with disabilities that are under the age of 65 and individuals of any age with End-State Renal disease. 

Individuals at the age of 65 who already receive benefits from SS or are eligible to receive benefits can get Medicare. If under the age of 65 it is still possible if an individual has End Stage renal disease or has received SS disability benefits for at least 2 years.

Individuals can use the online Medicare application which takes no longer than 10 minutes. Alternatively, one can schedule an appointment with a SS office to apply.

Applying for Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income is a Federal income supplement program designed to assist both disabled children and adults with little or no income (aged, blind, etc.) as well as cash to meet basic needs such as clothing, shelter, and food. An application can be completed on the phone or in person through a SS office. The proper forms, either an Adult Disability Report or Child disability report, can be found online.

The United States Social Security Administration also provides different Social Security benefits, including retirement or spouses Medicare benefits, survivor’s benefits, disability benefits for both children and adults, children’s benefits, and parent’s benefits.

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