All About Social Security Benefits

Social Security is a program set up by the U.S. federal government. It is paid by the FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act). The social security program helps to pay for old Americans after their retirement. It also provides benefits to the disabled and poor. The program even helps survivors and children of workers who have died.

Social Security also provides the Supplemental Security Income. This program is specifically for the blind, needy and disabled.

At Hanson and Fisher Law Office, our lawyers can help clients with all of these programs. With the help of attorneys, many clients can receive benefits. Our lawyers help with all the stages of the administrative process. This includes all the Federal Courts in the Central and Northern Districts of Illinois.

When you search online for “Social Security Near Me,” we are here to help.

How the Social Security Program Works

Social Security pays benefits from money pooled. This money is gathered from worker’s wages when they were working. In the United States, workers and their bosses play through payroll taxes. This money helps many people who are in need.

Every person who pays a portion of their earnings may earn social security benefits.

Workers can earn up to four credits every year through Social Security insurance. Money goes into two Social Security trust funds. The first is the DI Trust Fund for the disabled. The second is the OASI Trust Fund for retirees and survivors.

Medicare is another federal insurance program. Medicare is for health. This program helps Americans over 65 years and some who are disabled.

A local Social Security Office will handle applications for social security benefits.

Benefits Covered Under the Social Security Program

Top law offices take quick and appropriate action for every case. At Hanson & Fisher Law Office, we help with the whole process. Our years of experience make this possible. The best law firms can help you get social security benefits without denial.

Every social security benefits amount is different. A benefits calculation depends on the average indexed monthly earnings of a worker. These earnings are taken from his or her 35 highest-earning years.

These are some benefits covered under the social security program:

Retirement benefits

U.S. workers who have paid into Social Security, for at least 10 years, are eligible for early retirement benefits at age 62. Workers can also wait until full retirement age at age 67. This is for anyone born in 1960 or after. These people will receive a higher monthly benefit.

This amount increases if they wait till the age of 70.

The social security attorneys at Hanson and Fisher Law Office can explain.

Disability benefits

Social Security disability benefits are available for disabled people who cannot work. Disability can be mental or physical. The disability applicant must be disabled for a year or more. People who are expected to die may also qualify. Some family members of disabled people can also receive disability benefits.

If you know someone who needs help with this, you can talk with our social security disability attorneys.

Survivor benefits

Survivor benefits are available for the spouses and children of deceased workers. The worker’s earnings record is important. Spouses who are disabled can get survivors benefits at age 50.

A surviving spouse who has a child aged 16 years or less, may be eligible too.

For children

Disabled children under age 18 can also receive survivors benefits. In some cases, a step-child, adopted child, or grandchild may also qualify for these such benefits.

For parents of a deceased worker

Parents can also receive benefits. Firstly, they must be 62 years old or older. Then they must have been dependent on the deceased worker. Finally, they must have been dependent for at least half of their income. If these criteria are met, a parent is eligible for survivor benefits.

If you are unsure, simply search online for “social security office near me.” You can also find our nearest office to talk about your case.

Workers Who Do Not Qualify for Social Security

Some workers do not qualify for social security in the United States. You may be one. If you don’t know, contact our lawyers. Before you search, “SSA Office Near Me,” speak with our attorneys at Hanson & Fisher Law Office. We know the process. We know the system. We have even handled social security related lawsuits for years.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will only approve certain applications. Here are some reasons you may not qualify for social security benefits:

Workers Who Lack Work Credits – You need to earn a minimum of 40 work credits to qualify for benefits. This means you have to work for at least ten years in the United States.

Some Divorced Spouses – If you were married for less than ten years, you cannot collect benefits. To seek these benefits, you must be at least 62 years old or older. You cannot be currently married, and you must have been married for ten or more years.

Workers Who Die Before 62 – You must be at least age 62 to claim benefits. However, spouses and dependent children can still get benefits. If a terminally ill patient reaches the age of 62, he or she can file for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).

Our disability hearing lawyer can help you learn more about this program.

Legal Immigrants Without Enough Credits – Any U.S. worker who does not have 40 credits is not eligible for the social security program. However, the United States has a totalization agreement with 26 countries. This allows workers to combine work credits from both countries.

The minimum U.S. credits necessary for this agreement is six credits.

Retired Workers Living in Certain Countries – The U.S. Government will not send social security payments if a retired U.S. citizen live in certain countries.

These include:

Belarus

Belarus Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Cuba

Cuba Georgia Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan North Korea

North Korea Moldova

Moldova Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan Tajikistan

Tajikistan Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Ukraine

Ukraine Vietnam

Exceptions are possible in some cases. However, no retired U.S. citizen living in Cuba or North Korea can get benefits.

A payments abroad screening tool can help explain. An administrative law judge can also help.

Some Government Employees – Government employees covered under different programs like CSRS might not receive social security benefits.

Tax Evaders – People who do not file tax returns or pay Social Security taxes, do not receive social security.

Immigrants Over 65 Years Old The SSA will not approve social security benefits if you are an immigrant age 65 or older. If you want to learn more, you can contact a social security office near you. An attorney can also help.

In the end, applying for benefits can be hard. You may struggle. You may get denied. You may have many questions and concerns. This is why you need a social security disability lawyer. The attorneys of Hanson & Fisher Law Office have rich industry experience.

Consult our experts today.