The application for Social Security Income (SSI) is also the application for Social Security benefits, though sometimes additional information may be required before benefits can be awarded.

To be eligible for Social Security benefits, one must be age 62 or older, or otherwise blind or disabled, and “insured” by having enough work credits. You could earn up to four work credits per year based on how much money you earned during that year. To be eligible for most benefits, you must have accrued enough work credits by a certain age. Other rules apply if you are blind or disabled.

Who in My Family May Be Eligible for Benefits?

In addition to the question as to how you may or may not qualify to receive benefits, many of us wonder how our family members and loved ones may qualify for benefits. If you are receiving retirement or disability benefits, your spouse may also qualify to receive Social Security benefits if they are a legal US citizen or resident and aged 62 or older, regardless of their work credits.

The divorced spouse may also qualify, though there could be extra requirements to consider. The dependent parents of a deceased worker may qualify for benefits, depending on the worker’s record and credits. Unmarried children of disabled, retired, or deceased parents may also receive benefits, providing they are under 18, a full-time student aged 18-19, or have a disability. In special cases, benefits can be awarded to grandchildren, stepchildren, and adopted children.

How Do Disability Benefits Work?

If you are out of work because of an injury or illness, you may be entitled to disability benefits. However, qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a long, complicated process, and many claims are denied, leaving the sick and injured to worry about how to pay for food and rent while they’re unable to work.

Applying for SSDI is not as straightforward as anyone would like, and one misstep could result in your claim being denied. Working with a Social Security lawyer vastly improves one’s chances of seeing their claim approved so that they can get the benefits they need while they heal.

How Can an Attorney Assist in These Matters?

Whether you’re looking to collect disability benefits, retirement benefits, or benefits meant for survivors of the deceased, the process can feel long and cumbersome. And what’s more, even when we think we’ve done everything right, we can sometimes fail to get all the benefits we deserve or have our benefits denied entirely.

Working with lawyers experienced in working with the Social Security Administration improves one’s chances of seeing the results they deserve. You’ve put in the work. You’ve paid your taxes. Now let the government take care of you when you need help. Call Greg Jones Law for experienced legal representation.