You, or Your Family Members, May Be Eligible for Increased Benefits
Our mission is to deliver Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the public.
It's not unusual for a benefit recipient's circ*mstances to change after they apply or became eligible for benefits. If you, or a family member, receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), certain life changes may affect eligibility for an increase in your federal benefits. For example, if your spouse or ex-spouse dies, you may become eligible for a higher Social Security benefit.
To find out if you, or a family member, might be eligible for a benefit based on another person’s work, or a higher benefit based on your own work, see the information about benefits on the Social Security website. You can also use the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) to find out if you could get benefits that Social Security administers. Based on your answers to questions, this tool will list benefits for which you might be eligible and tell you more information about how to qualify and apply.
The questions and answers below are about a few of the life changes that could possibly increase your benefits.
Has your spouse or ex-spouse died?
If your spouse or ex-spouse has died, you may be eligible for a higher survivor benefit based on his or her work. The death of an ex-spouse may allow you to be eligible for a higher survivor benefit even if you are already receiving a survivor benefit on another spouse.
Are you receiving Medicare benefits based on your work that includes at least 10 years of earnings from which you paid Social Security taxes?
If you are at least age 65, you may be eligible for cash benefits on your own record. If you are full retirement age or older, you can work and receive your monthly Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn. Please review this publication for more information.
Is your adult child who was helping to support you deceased?
If your child had enough work credits and was providing at least half of your support, you may be eligible for a higher parent's benefit based on his or her work.
Are you receiving Social Security benefits based on your spouse’s work?
If you have worked, you may be eligible for a higher retirement benefit based on your own work.
Are you receiving Social Security benefits based on your parent’s work?
If you have worked, you may be eligible for a higher disability benefit based on your own work.
Are you currently unmarried but formerly married for 10 years or more?
If you are at least 62 years old and unmarried, you may be eligible for a benefit based on a former spouse’s work if that marriage lasted 10 years or more.
Is your child entitled to Social Security child's benefits based on your spouse's work?
You may be eligible for spouse's benefits if you have in your care a child who is under age 16 or disabled prior to age 22.
Are you currently entitled to retirement or disability benefits and have a child in your care who is under age 18 or disabled?
Your child may be eligible for benefits based on your work.
Are you receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security benefits and have past military service?
If you served in the U.S. military, you may be eligible for benefits through the Veterans Administration. Visit this link for more information: http://www.va.gov/
Are you receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and have a parent who is deceased or receiving Social Security benefits?
If you are unmarried and under age 18 or were disabled prior to age 22, and your parent is deceased or receiving Social Security benefits, you may be eligible for child benefits based on your parent’s work.
Has your income declined or have you experienced a loss of financial resources?
You may be able to get additional income through the Supplemental Security Income program, which helps seniors and the disabled who have limited income and financial resources.
IMPORTANT: If you are receiving benefits, there are certain life events that you are required to report. For a complete list, please select the publication below that applies to the type of benefits you receive.
NOTE: Failure to report a change may result in an overpayment.
What You Need To Know When You Get Retirement Or Survivors Benefits
What You Need To Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits
(Pages 11-18)
What You Need To Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
(Pages 7-19)
Contacting Social Security
Our website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security's programs. There are a number of things you can do online.
In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls.
FAQs
When answering these questions, remember:
- Be careful not to contradict other answers you gave in this form or in your application.
- Describe your abilities on your worst or average days.
- Explain if you've modified activities to make them more achievable. ...
- Only mention limitations caused by your disability.
Do not tell the doctor you are “o*kay,” “fine,” or “pretty good” when you are there for an assessment of your condition. Even saying this out of habit could jeopardize your claim. Be honest about your complaints, symptoms, and other details of your condition.
Where can I get answers to Social Security questions? ›
For general Social Security inquiries, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What questions do they ask when signing up for Social Security? ›
Information About You
Your date and place of birth and Social Security number; The name, Social Security number and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. You should also know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death (if appropriate);
Should I answer the disability question? ›
No, with limited exceptions. Under the ADA, an employer generally may not require an applicant to disclose information about a disability or medical impairment prior to making an offer of employment.
What is the easiest condition to get disability? ›
What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits.
What not to tell a disability judge? ›
- Don't Exaggerate or Minimize Your Symptoms. ...
- Don't Make Statements That Can Hurt Your Case. ...
- Don't Give the ALJ Vague Answers. ...
- Don't Argue With or Disrespect the Judge. ...
- Don't Go It Alone.
Be Honest and Detailed – During the interview, honesty is vital. Clearly describe your medical condition, its limitations, and how it affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities. Don't downplay your symptoms, but also avoid exaggeration.
What not to say in a disability interview? ›
Ten Things You Should Never Say When Applying For Social Security Disability
- “It's not that bad. ...
- “I'm getting better.” ...
- “I can work, but no one will hire me.” ...
- “It hurts.” ...
- “I'm not being treated.” or “I stopped treatment.” ...
- “I have a history of drug use/criminal activity.” ...
- “My relative gets disability.”
Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.
It is a part of the Social Security Paycheck, which encompasses a range of benefits including retirement, post-retirement, child care, disability, care allowance, attendance allowance, and survival. The $1800 figure is close to the average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for 2024 due to a COLA increase.
What is the 5 year rule for Social Security? ›
The Social Security five-year rule is the time period in which you can file for an expedited reinstatement after your Social Security disability benefits have been terminated completely due to work.
Does Social Security check your checking account? ›
For those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the short answer is yes, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can check your bank accounts because you have to give them permission to do so.
At what age do you get 100% of your Social Security? ›
The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960 until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67. The chart on the next page lists the full retirement age by year of birth.
How fast can SSDI be approved? ›
How long does it take to make a decision? Generally, it takes about three to five months to get a decision.
What not to say on a disability function report? ›
5 Biggest Mistakes on Adult Function Reports
- Not reading the entire question. ...
- Not being clear about how long it takes you to do things. ...
- Not being clear about what you do all day. ...
- Not listing the side effects of your medications. ...
- Not answering questions consistently.
- 7 tips for answering questions at a disability hearing.
- Only answer questions if someone asks you directly.
- Be specific.
- Don't over-explain.
- Don't exaggerate or minimize your symptoms.
- Answer based on how you feel most days.
- Stay consistent with information in your application.
- Be polite.
Be specific. Don't simply state that you have difficulty with tasks. Describe the specific limitations you experience. For example, instead of saying “I can't cook,” explain that “due to limited hand strength, I can only chop vegetables for short periods and cannot lift heavy pots.”
How to answer questions at a Social Security disability hearing? ›
The more specific you can be, the better your results will be. If you don't know an answer or didn't anticipate a question, don't lie, but do not be afraid the ask the ALJ to give you a minute to think about your answer.
