The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a government institution with the role of managing social security such as retirement, disability, and survivor plans. The SSA is important in considering its role in giving financial support to millions of US citizens, and the programs of SSA have an enormous effect on the life of several people and families. This article will give us a detailed guide to SSA such as history of SSA, SSA programs, eligibility standards and application procedure.
History Of Social Security Administration (SSA)
It was enacted as a part of the New Deal (President Franklin D. Roosevelt) on August 14, 1935, and was called SSA. The agency was developed to manage the Social Security Act that allowed financial help to the retired workers, the disabled, and the unemployed. The years have seen the SSA develop to address the new demands of the American people, and its programs have widened to accommodate survivor benefits, the disability insurance, and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Social Security Administration (SSA) run Programs
Some of the SSA sponsored programs include:
1. Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI): This is a program of giving financial aid to hibernated workers, the disabled and the survivors of deceased workers.
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): The program avails finances to the disabled, blind, and aged who do not have too much income or assets.
3. Medicare: It is a program that covers health insurance to only people aged 65 or more, younger individuals who experience disabilities, and individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent disability caused by kidney failure and requires dialysis or transplant).
Eligibility Requirements of Social Security Administration (SSA)
The people to qualify in SSA programs are supposed to satisfy some criteria, which are:
1. Age: Applicants should be of age, 62 years in order to apply for retirement benefits and 18 years in order to apply disability benefits.
2. Work Credits: To qualify in any benefit, an individual needs to have worked and have contributed a certain number of work credits to enjoy retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
3. Disability: These people should be disabled such that they cannot work and earn their living in order to obtain the benefit of disability.
4. Income and Resources: To receive SSI benefits people have to have low income and resources.
Application Process
In order to apply to the SSA programs, one may:
1. Online: via the site of Social Security Administration (SSA).
2. Phone application: You can apply by calling the toll-free number used by SSA.
3. Applications in person: At a SSA office.
Application The process normally includes submission of documentation, e.g.:
1. Photo identification: A birth certificate or a passport.
2. Evidence of earned work credit: IRS form W2 or Employee of Social Security report.
3. Evidence of disability: Documentation and medical records of a physician.
4. Evidence of income and assets: Pay stubs, income tax returns and bank statements.
Social security Administration (SSA): A Guide in Full Disclosure
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is an important federal agency in the United States as it is the organization charged with providing financial stability of millions of Americans. In 1935 the SSA was established to oversee social security in the country and it has the responsibility of administering the social security programs available in the country to retirees, the disabled, and the survivors of the worker. In the event that you are trying to get around within the realm of social security benefits, then it is imperative to know about the SSA and their services.
Following is a detailed explanation of everything you need to know about SSA, how it works, and how you can connect with the agency to claim benefits, supply information, and many more. This guide will provide you with information needed to make important decisions whether you are a newer user of the social security department or an already existing user of the benefits thereof.
What is Social Security Administration (SSA)?
The social security administration is a separate arm of the federal government of USA and it deals with social security programs administered in the United States. It has a broadened service delivery among the American citizens, which covers the following:
Retirement amenities to qualified workers.
Benefits on disability to people not able to work because of the sickness or injury.
Family survivor benefits to families of the dead workers.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) bound to the low-income earners comprising of children and the aged.
Some of the Significant Roles of the SSA are:
The issue of Social Security Number (SSN).
Adjudicating on retirement, disability, and survivor claims on social security.
Management of such programs as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare.
Offering support in areas of field offices, Internet-based services and by telephone.
In order to handle the importance of the SSA in your life more insightfully, it would be better to discuss more in detail the main service offerings of the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The Social Security Administration Operates Social Security Benefits in the following types
The SSA has been charged with several benefit programs serving several categories of people in the U.S. The following are the key types of the benefits that it administers:
1. Retirement Benefits of Social Security Administration (SSA)
The social security retirement benefits can be received by those who worked and paid in the social security system during the working years. Such benefits involve monthly monetary payments after the person under question reaches a particular age, usually 62 years or more.
How to Qualify to Receive Social Security Retirement Benefits?
You should meet the following requirements in order to receive retirement benefits:
Be 62 or more years of age (when you can get reduced amounts).
Have acquired a minimum of 40 credits on your working background.
Have contributed to the Social Security system when you have a job via payroll tax.
At what Age can You claim Social Security?
At age 62, you can start getting your reduced benefits.
The maximum benefits you can get are at your full retirement age which depends on your year of birth (approximately 66-67 years old).
Your Full retirement age is the age when you would get the full benefits of it; however, optional, you may want to delay benefits until a later date and get delayed retirement credits and higher receive a monthly payment.
2. Social Security Disability Benefits
Disability benefits of the SSA also cover the lives of those individuals who are ill and thus they are not able to work. These are benefits that are extended both to the worker and his or her family depending on the case.
What Constitutes Eligibility to Social Security disability?
You should have been employed quite a long and not so distant period, to be under the insurance of Social Security.
You need to have a medical condition that is not only not capable of some substantial work but also has a kind of expectation of one year or lead to your death.
Your disability should be one that has the SSA definition of qualifying disability.
What is the Process of the Application?
The disability benefits application may take a long time and may include:
Compiling medical records and documentations.
Filling in an online or a paper application with the SSA.
Appealing in the event that you are denied.
3. Survivor Benefits
Survivor benefits are given to the relations of a worker who has died. This will assist surviving spouses, children, and occasionally dependent parents or grandchildren and give them a financial assistance when a loved one dies.
Who is Eligible to be Receiving Survivor Benefits?
Widows/Widowers (60 yrs. and older, or younger, in case the deceased worker has dependant children).
Children (younger than 18 years; or 19, in case they continue studying at high schools).
Dependant parents (in case they depended on the deceased worker financially).
4. Supplemental Security income (SSI)
The SSI is a program that offers financial help to low-income earners who are aged above 65 years, blind or disabled. In contrast, SSI is not determined based on work history as the case of Social Security benefits, which rather requires financial need.
What are qualifications to SSI?
You have to have few incomes and resources.
You have to be aged 65 years or above, or you have to be considered disabled as by SSA.
They can be qualified by citizens of the U.S or other noncitizens who have eligibilities.
Applying to the Social Security Benefits How.
One can apply either online, by telephone, or in person to access Social Security benefits. The most common benefits have a certain operating procedure, which is as follows:
Step 1: Figure out What Benefits You can Be Covered by
Retirement benefits: The other benefit is you may be able to get retirement benefits through social security after you have reached retirement age.
Disability benefits: In case you have a qualify medical condition, then apply social security disability insurance (SSDI).
Survivor benefits: You are a surviving spouse or other dependents of a deceased worker, then you may receive the survivors benefits.
Step 2: Requisite Documentations
You will need to provide a number of documents to the SSA which include:
Your birth record.
Your Social security number (SSN).
Disabled claims medical records.
Work history (w-2 forms or self employment tax returns).
Step 3: Use Online Application, Telephone application, or in appearance
Online: SSA has an online applications program on retirement benefits, disability benefits and SSI. To make an online application, go to the official site of (SSA).
Phone: You should call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 in order to get help with your application or book an appointment.
In-Person: Go to the SSA office that is nearest to you to file your benefits. The SSA web site has a list of the nearest offices.
Step 4: Wait to be Approve
Once you have filed your application, the SSA will examine your application then issue a decision to you. The period can take between some months depending on the disability claims. In case your claim is declined, you are entitled to appeal against this move.
Social security numbers (SSN) and the Social Security Administration (SSA)
The SSN is a vital part of the SSA activity. It is utilized to monitor the income of people and define the potential to receive some benefits. To get the job, pay taxes and avail social security benefits requires SSN. In case you do not possess an SSN, then you need to obtain it using Social Security Administration (SSA).
The Way to Obtain a Social Security Number
As a U.S citizen: Request an SSN soon after being born either through your hospital, or at any SSA office.
In the case of non-citizens: As long as you are allowed to be employed in the U.S., you are obliged to request an SSN as a non-citizen by filling a Form SS-5 and giving it to the SSA.
Other Services offered by (SSA)
Besides the benefits, there exist a wide range of other services offered by SSA and they include:
Reissuing of lost or stolen SSNs of social security cards.
Corrections to your SSA record such as renaming your record when you are recently married, or reregistering your name, where you have changed it legally.
Asking to view an earnings statement which indicates your earnings record and projection of future benefits.
The Type of Problems and the Solutions How to Handle Them
What happens in case Your Social Security Application is Not Granted?
Should your application of Social Security Disability or SSI be rejected, you have the right to appeal against this decision. To ensure that one knows how to go about an appeal, the SSA has offered a thorough explanation on how it can be done; that is, it might involve reconsideration, hearing or even administrative review.
What happens when Your Information Changes?
It is important to make the SSA aware about any change in your life should you get married, change of address, or alteration in income, since it is essential to ensure that your account does not contain outdated information.
Conclusion
Social Security Administration (SSA) has a crucial role regarding the financial stability of millions of Americans. No matter whether you are applying to receive retirement benefits, disability benefits, survivor benefits, or SSI, being aware of how the SSA works and how to communicate with it is one of the ways to be sure that you will get the assistance you require. Although these are some of the things that many people do wrong, you can evade by ensuring that your personal information is always up to date and you understand the application process very well, and hence, your benefits are covered without hassles.
To learn more and to begin your application go to the official Social Security Administration web site.
FAQs
1. What benefits may I obtain using the (SSA)?
The SSI program was set by the SSA to administer retirement, disability, survivors, and low-income benefits.
2. What is the procedure applying to receive Social Security?
You may apply online or by phone or visit your local office of the SSA. Ensure that you have all the necessary documents to be applied.
3. To what do I do upon being denied my Social Security claim?
You can appeal against the decision. The SSA provides the step-by-step process where the appeals are possible, and it can comprise a reconsideration or a hearing.
4. Where can I apply to get a duplicate Social Security?
To acquire the replacement card, in case of it loss or theft, visit the SSA website.
5. What is the process of changing name with SSA?
If you legally change your name, notify the (SSA) to update your records. You will need to provide proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
