Social Security Benefits: Some Key Facts
The Social Security Administration is responsible for the payment of social security benefits under the social security system in the United States. There are several categories of social security benefits, depending on the need that it seeks to address. People who have had to sacrifice employment and its benefits on account of chronic illness, or those who have qualified for benefits on attaining pensionable age are still eligible for social security under different clauses. Some segments of society can receive social security benefits through some specific clauses addressing that segment. For instance, the disability benefits are available for workers unable to continue their existing jobs, once they cross a required duration at work (calculated as credits). To address the differing requirements of different sections of the society, the Social security administration pays the social security benefits through two different programs; the Social Security disability insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
The main criteria for availing social security benefits is that the person claiming the benefit is unable to work or has to stop working due to a medical condition that may last up to an year or result in death. If an individual is employed with average monthly earnings exceeding a certain amount as decided by the administration, then the person will not be considered as disabled. The amount changes each year and can be accessed from the administration’s Update (Publication No. 05 10003) for the current year. There is no provision for partial disability under the Social Security Act. In case a person is unable to perform a previously held job, the administration looks for an equitable alternative for the person. The medical condition of the person, his age, educational qualifications, previous work experience and other skills are all examined to judge whether another job could substitute the previous occupation. If no other opportunity presents, the State agency will decide that the individual is indeed disabled. However, with individuals over 50 years of age, the State rules are more relaxed and they may have a much better chance of winning some benefits. Even persons with low paying part time employment and consequently negligible savings have a good chance at obtaining social security benefits.