Questions & Answers

(August, 2009)

General

Question: How many Social Security numbers have been issued since the program started?

Answer: Social Security celebrates its 74th anniversary on August 14th. Since numbers were first issued in November 1936, about 442 million numbers have been assigned. Want to learn more about the history of Social Security cards and numbers? Step back in time with a visit to our history page. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/history/ssn/ssncards.html.

Question: Can a widow receive Social Security benefits on her husband’s record?

Answer: Yes. When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of the family may be eligible for survivors benefits. Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:

• A widow or widower—full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60;
• A disabled widow or widower—as early as age 50;
• A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and the child gets Social Security benefits;
• Unmarried children under 18 (or up to age 19, if they are attending high school full time);
• Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled; and
• Dependent parents age 62 or older.

Even if you are divorced, you may still qualify for survivors benefits. Learn more by visiting our benefit calculators at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/benefitcalculators.htm.

Retirement

Question: How do I qualify for benefits as a divorced spouse?

Answer: You can receive benefits as a divorced spouse on a former spouse's Social Security record if you:

• Were married to the former spouse for at least 10 years;
• Are age 62 or older;
• Are unmarried; and
• Are not entitled to a higher Social Security benefit on your own record.

In addition, the former spouse must be eligible to receive his or her own retirement or disability benefit. If the former spouse is eligible for a benefit, but has not yet applied for it, you can still receive a benefit if you meet the eligibility requirements and have been divorced from the former spouse for at least two years. Generally, we won't continue to pay benefits if you remarry someone other than your former spouse. Learn more, and determine what your benefit might be by visiting our online Benefit Calculators at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/benefitcalculators.htm.

Disability

Question: I was disabled for a while several years ago. My health has since improved. Can I receive disability benefits for the time I was disabled?

Answer: If you were disabled "several years ago," but are not disabled now, you probably can't get benefits at this point. Whether or not you are entitled to what we call a "closed period of disability" depends on:

• When you became disabled; and
• When you apply for Social Security disability benefits.

You may be entitled to a "closed period of disability" when medical evidence establishes you were unable to engage in substantial gainful work activity for a continuous period of 12 months, but by the time the disability decision is made, you have medically recovered. You must also meet the following requirements to be entitled to a closed period of disability:

• You must file an application within 14 months after the disability ended; or
• You must have filed an application between 15 to 36 months after the disability ended and you must show that your failure or inability to file a timely application was due to your physical or mental condition.

If you meet the requirements for disability benefits, there is a five-month waiting period before your first monthly benefit can be paid. You can receive up to 12 months of retroactive benefits from the date you file an application with Social Security. Learn more about Social Security disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

Supplemental Security Income

Question: What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Answer: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based Federal income supplement program run by Social Security. SSI is funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes. It is designed to help aged, blind and disabled people who have little or no income. SSI provides income to help meet a person's basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. For more information, read our publication called SSI at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html. You'll find further information on our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi.

Question: Can I get both Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Answer: You may be able to receive SSI in addition to monthly Social Security benefits. But you only can get both if your Social Security benefit is low enough not to interfere with the SSI limit on income. The basic SSI payment is the same nationwide. In 2009, the SSI payment for an eligible individual is $674 per month and $1,011 per month for an eligible couple. However, some states add money to the basic payment, so the amount of SSI you may be able to receive also depends on where you live. If you receive Social Security, that income will reduce the amount of SSI you're able to receive. The more income you have, the less your SSI benefit will be. If your countable income is over the allowable limit, you cannot receive SSI benefits. Learn more about SSI income limits by visiting our online publication, SSI, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html.

Medicare

Question: It seems difficult to figure out what plan to get for Medicare prescription drug coverage. What is the easiest way to compare plans?

Answer: The easiest way to get a handle on Medicare prescription drug plans is to use the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov. There you can find and compare plans in your area. Or, you may find it better to get personalized counseling about plans in your area by calling 1.800.MEDICARE (1.800.633.4227).

Ginny Jordan is a Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration. Her weekly column on all things Social Security appears in the Sunday Edition of the Sun-Sentinel.

Ginny has agreed to let us reprint her articles here for your convenience.

Thank you Ginny!