Some Answers to Your Social Security Benefits Questions
View PDF | Print View
by: albert.tobega
Total views: 91
Word Count: 526
Q: I have a business under my name but my spouse runs it. Would I still be eligible to receive Social Security benefits?
A: The SSA defines the word disability as being unable to complete any substantial activity that will earn you a living. They determine substantial gainful activity according to the National Average Wage Index, which gives a dollar amount per month. The SSA considers an applicant to be working or employed at any time the that person "is the owner or part owner of a trade or business even if he or she does not actually work in the trade or business or receive any income from it."
Your business income may affect your social security benefits. If that income goes over the predetermined substantial gainful activity (SGA) level, the SSA may consider it a substantial income. The SSA determines this SGA level by doing a comparison of the income of your business to the income you received before you became disabled, as well as to the income of a healthy individual doing the same business.
Q: If I pass away while I am in the Social Security Disability application process, where does my claim go?
A: According to the Social Security Administration, if a person who may be eligible for social security benefits dies (this includes Supplemental Security Income), their survivors may apply for a Lump Sum Death Payment. This means that, if you were to die in the process of applying for social security benefits, your survivors may make a case for the social security benefits you may have earned after the waiting period. In order to receive the lump sum payment, your survivors must prove that you would have qualified for social security disability in the month of death.
Only certain close family members are eligible for these survivors social security benefits. As part of the application process, the SSA will request information about the deceaseds Social Security record and application (if they applied for social security benefits). They will also request evidence of the deceaseds disability beginning at 14 months before the date of death.
Q: What will happen to my social security benefits, once I am already on them, and I die?
A: When you are receiving social security benefits, and have paid social security taxes, some family members may be eligible to receive survivors benefits upon your death. In general, for family members to receive survivors social security benefits, ten or so years of work will be needed (though this does vary). Survivors social security benefits can be paid to:
• A spouse, with full benefits when they reach retirement, or some benefits beginning at age 60 • A disabled widow or widower, starting at age 50 • Children less than 18 years of age (or as old as 19 if they still attend secondary school) • Currently disabled children who were disabled at less than 22 years of age • Dependent parents over 62 years of age.
About the Author
Learn the real scoop on social security lawyer, browse to socialsecuritybenefits.blogq.net.
Rating: Not yet rated