When Social Security payments are deducted from your paycheck each month, you may see it as an inconvenience. However, this investment actually protects you and your family when necessary. It is taken from your pay from your first job in Greenville, SC. You receive credits throughout your working life. You, your spouse and your children can benefit from varying Social Security benefits.
Let’s look at some of them.
Disability Benefits
You may not think you are at risk for becoming disabled. However, it can happen because of a car accident, illness, work-related injury or another situation. If you are no longer able to work, you will need to apply for disability insurance benefits. These cover serious medical conditions which leave you unable to work for at least a year. Conditions which are likely to result in death are also covered. Unfortunately, the process is not straightforward. You will need to provide lots of information to support your claim of total disability. You will benefit significantly from the services of a social security disability attorney in Greenville, SC.
Retirement Benefits
When you are older and no longer working, retirement benefits provide you with a source of income. Once you earned enough credits, you can receive full benefits at age 66 or 67. You can start receiving benefits at age 62 but the payout would be reduced. Waiting until the age of full retirement increases your benefits by around 8% per year until age 70. It is, therefore, best to delay retirement for as long as you can. Either way, you can be sure of getting an income when you are no longer interested in working.
Child Benefits
If you have minor children while you are receiving disability or retirement benefits, this ensures they are supported. Benefits are paid to unmarried children who are
- Below the age of 18;
- From 18 to 19-years-old, but are in secondary or elementary school full-time
- Age 18 or over and severely disabled. The child’s disability must have been known before the age of 22. The benefits may continue for as long as the child is unable to work.
The amount of work you need to qualify for such benefits depends on your age when you stop working. Parents under 24 only need to work for one and a half years for their children to receive benefits. The amount of work necessary increases as you age but it is never more than ten years.
Social Security also pays Supplemental Security Income to disabled children whose families have limited income and resources. They must be under 18. These payments are based on need and not the amount of time the parent worked. The parent may have died, retired, or become disabled.
Spousal Benefits
If you receive retirement or disability benefits, your spouse may get benefits if they are at least 62-years-old. This applies even if they were never covered under Social Security. Divorced people may also be able to get benefits on their ex-spouses record depending on the circumstances. Your spouse of any age can also receive benefits if they care for your child who is also receiving benefits.
If an individual is eligible for their own retirement benefits and spousal benefits, their individual benefits will be paid first. If the spousal benefits are higher, the individual will get a combination of benefits equal to the higher sum. There are many other factors involved in calculating spousal benefits. Couples who need guidance should contact one of the disability lawyers in Greenville, SC.
Survivor Benefits
You may not want to think about the day you die. However, social security can provide much-needed benefits for your survivors. Widows and widowers, children, and dependent parent can all be eligible. Survivor benefits ease the financial burden on them. These benefits may be more significant than your life insurance payout.
Widows and widowers can receive reduced benefits at age 60 or full benefits at full retirement or older. They can switch to their own benefit at age 62 if they qualify. Widowed individuals can also get benefits from age 50 if they’re disabled. However, their disability must have begun before or within seven years of their spouse’s death. Widows and widowers can also receive benefits at any age if they care for the deceased’s disabled child.
Why You Need a Social Security Disability Attorney in Greenville, SC
There are certain criteria which must be met in order to get benefits. Some cases are easy but others are a bit more complicated. While the paperwork is usually difficult to fill out, it may be a challenge to prepare some of the supportive documents. Generally, applicants who have a lawyer generally find it easier to get through the application process. Sometimes claims are denied and the services of an attorney become invaluable in filing an appeal.
Contact One of The Best Disability Lawyers in Greenville, SC
Whether your case is one of retirement, disability or spousal benefits, we can help you. Contact J. Robert Surface for advice and assistance. Navigating the Social Security system can be difficult when you try to it alone. Schedule a consultation today and put your mind at rest.
