Understanding Supplemental Security Income
Social Security Entitlement2008 Edition

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        
  A  WORKER  YOU  MUST  BE:        

	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:

	Before age 24 –– You may qualify if you have six work credits earned in the three–year period ending when your disability starts.
	Age 24 to 31 –– You may qualify if you have credit for having worked half the time between age 21 and the time you become disabled.
	EXAMPLE:If at age 27 you become disabled, you would need 12 work credits in the past six years (between age 21 and age 27).
	Age 31 and older –– In general, you will need to have the number of work credits shown in the chart below. You must have earned at least 20 of the credits in the 10 years immediately before you become disabled.

  WHO  CAN  RECEIVE  BENEFITS  ON  YOUR  
  EARNINGS  RECORD?  

You can receive Social Security benefits based on your earnings record if you are age 62 or older, or disabled or blind and have enough work credits.

Family members who qualify for benefits on your work record do not need work credits. However, if they file an application December 1, 1996 or later, they must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present alien. The following information describes family members who may qualify for benefits on your work record.

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.