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Understanding Supplemental Security Income
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Many people who are eligible for SSI benefits may also be entitled to receive Social Security benefits. In fact, the application for SSI benefits is also an application for Social Security benefits. We often need, however, to obtain additional information from the person before we can award Social Security benefits. The following sections provide information on who may be entitled to Social Security benefits. |
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AS |
age 62 or older, or disabled or blind; and | |
"insured" by having enough work credits. |
For applications filed December 1, 1996 or later, you must either be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present alien in order to receive monthly Social Security benefits.
HOW MUCH WORK DO YOU NEED TO BE "INSURED"?We measure work in "work credits." You can earn up to four work credits per year based on your annual earnings. The amount of earnings required for a credit increases each year as general wage levels rise. To be eligible for most types of benefits (such as benefits based on blindness or retirement), you must have earned an average of one work credit for each calendar year between age 21 and the year in which you reach age 62 or become disabled or blind, up to a maximum of 40 credits. A minimum of six work credits is required, regardless of age. To qualify for Social Security benefits based on a disability other than blindness, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security. The number of work credits you need for disability benefits depends on your age when you became disabled. You generally need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. The rules are as follows:
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WHO CAN RECEIVE BENEFITS ON YOUR |
If you are receiving retirement or disability benefits, your spouse may qualify if he or she is: |
age 62 and over; or | |
divorced and age 62 and over and married to you for at least 10 years prior to your divorce; or | |
under age 62 and caring for a child (under age 16 or disabled prior to age 22) who is receiving benefits on your work record. |
If you are age 62 or over and have enough work credits to receive Social Security benefits, but have not filed a claim, your divorced spouse may qualify for benefits, if he or she was married to you for at least 10 years prior to the divorce and has been finally divorced from you for at least two years.
Your surviving spouse (widow or widower) may qualify if he or she is: |
age 60 or older; or | |
age 50 or older and disabled; or | |
divorced and age 60 or older (age 50 if disabled), and married to you for at least 10 years prior to your divorce; or | |
under age 60 caring for a child (under age 16 or disabled prior to age 22) and who is entitled to child's benefits; or | |
divorced and under age 60 and caring for his or her child (under age 16 or disabled prior to age 22) who is entitled to benefits on your earnings record. |
Unmarried children (including stepchildren, adopted children and, in some cases, grandchildren and children born out of wedlock) of disabled, retired, or deceased workers may qualify if they are: |
under age 18 (or between ages 18 and 19 if a full time high school student); or | |
age 18 or over and disabled before age 22. |
Dependent parent(s), age 62 or older, of deceased workers may qualify for benefits based on the worker's record. |
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THIS INFORMATION IS GENERAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE. |
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