Because the payouts mentioned on the previous page are so little and not even enough to support a family (and because many disabled Americans may not even qualify) there is an additional program that pays Social Security benefits called Supplemental Security Income.
Those who may qualify for the SSI may be:
- Those over the age of 65
- Those who are legally blind
- Those who are disabled
Even if you do qualify for the SSI, it’s important to remember that there are strict income-based criteria and resource-based caps on what you can receive. The cut-off limits vary by state, so it’s suggested to speak with the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213 to find out what those cut-offs are in your region.
If you believe you may qualify for this program, there is an application process available here.
The SSA also provides benefits for children. In order to qualify, the child needs to be unmarried in addition to one of the following; under the age of 18, still in high school and either 18 or 19 or 18 or older with a disability that began before the age of 22. Any child who is eligible will receive 50% of their parent’s benefit. If the parent passes away, that percentage increases to 75%, assuming that they still meet the age requirements.
If you are a parent to a child who is receiving benefits via your spouse, you are also entitled to a share of those benefits. They max out at about one-half of your spouse’s benefits. However, if the child is not disabled, the benefits stop by the time they are 16. Otherwise, benefits may continue so long as you are one of their primary caregivers.
When it comes to benefits for surviving spouses, there is a bit of luck here. If one spouse is receiving some type of Social Security benefit and then passes away before their partner reaches the age of 62, the surviving partner is still entitled to those benefits.
The value of the benefits obviously varies due to the age at which the claim was made, but the average for this is about 71.5% of the deceased one’s benefits.
Head on over to the NEXT page to see what the best time is to claim Social Security…