Renwanz Insurance & Financial Solutions, Carlsbad, CA
Social Security disability insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you have earned enough work credits to be considered "insured". Four work credits can be earned each year. In 2014, you receive one work credit for each $1200 of earnings, up to the yearly maximum of four credits.
How many credits you need for disability benefits depends on how old you are when you are disabled. If you become disabled prior to age 24, you need 1 1/2 years of work (6 credits) in the three years before you became disabled. For ages 24-30, you need credits for half of the time between age 21 and when you became disabled. If you are 31 or older, you need at least 20 credits during the 10 year period preceding when you were disabled. Like most things associated with Social Security, it is a bit more complicated than this example. Remember, the worker has to have paid into Social Security to be qualified.
There are "survivor" benefits as well. When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of their family may be eligible for survivors benefits. Up to ten years of work is need to be eligible, depending on the person's age at the time of death. A widow/widower can claim full benefits at their full retirement age and reduced benefits at age 60. A disabled widow/widower can claim as early as age 50.
Divorced spouses under certain conditions can also claim survivor benefits. Unmarried children under age 18 (19 if they are full time in elementary or secondary school), some step-children, adopted children and grand children can also receive survivor benefits.
There are many other situations where survivor benefits can be claimed such as a widow or widower of any age that takes care of a deceased person's child under the age of 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits. Children who were disabled prior to their age 22 and remain disabled, and in some cases, dependent parents who are age 62 or older.
As you can see, there are a lot of rules and regulations surrounding disability benefits for Social Security. Seek out someone who knows the rules.
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How many credits you need for disability benefits depends on how old you are when you are disabled. If you become disabled prior to age 24, you need 1 1/2 years of work (6 credits) in the three years before you became disabled. For ages 24-30, you need credits for half of the time between age 21 and when you became disabled. If you are 31 or older, you need at least 20 credits during the 10 year period preceding when you were disabled. Like most things associated with Social Security, it is a bit more complicated than this example. Remember, the worker has to have paid into Social Security to be qualified.
There are "survivor" benefits as well. When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of their family may be eligible for survivors benefits. Up to ten years of work is need to be eligible, depending on the person's age at the time of death. A widow/widower can claim full benefits at their full retirement age and reduced benefits at age 60. A disabled widow/widower can claim as early as age 50.
Divorced spouses under certain conditions can also claim survivor benefits. Unmarried children under age 18 (19 if they are full time in elementary or secondary school), some step-children, adopted children and grand children can also receive survivor benefits.
There are many other situations where survivor benefits can be claimed such as a widow or widower of any age that takes care of a deceased person's child under the age of 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits. Children who were disabled prior to their age 22 and remain disabled, and in some cases, dependent parents who are age 62 or older.
As you can see, there are a lot of rules and regulations surrounding disability benefits for Social Security. Seek out someone who knows the rules.