Overview of Social Security
Social security is a government program to provide financial support for the elderly or disabled. Over the course of your life, you pay a certain percentage of your income to the government in the form of social security taxes. After you retire or become disabled, the government sends you monthly payments based on how much you paid in social security taxes.
Benefits of Social Security
Social security offers a number of different kinds of benefits: - Retirement benefits - If you retire after the age of 62, you are entitled to retirement benefits. The amount of money you receive is related to the income you made over the course of your life. The later you file for retirement benefits, the larger they will be (up until the age of 70).
- Disability benefits - If you are disabled before you retire, you may be eligible for disability benefits. You can receive benefits roughly equal to what your retirement benefits would have been.
- Supplemental security income? These benefits are available to people who did not earn a lot of income over the course of their lives, but still need financial assistance. Supplemental security income is only available to those who are over 65, disabled, or blind.
- Survivor's benefits - If your spouse is deceased and would otherwise be entitled to retirement or disability benefits, you may receive the benefits on the deceased's behalf.
What Should I Do if I Have Been Denied Social Security Benefits?
The social security administration will deny social security benefit claims if they think you don't qualify for them. If you believe you do, the first thing you should do is file an appeal. The social security administration has a complex appeal system, which may reverse the denial of benefits. There are four parts to the appeal: - Reconsideration - Local social security officers can review your claim. If they still deny benefits, then you can have an administrative law hearing.
- Administrative Law Hearing - An administrative judge independently reviews your claim. If the judge denies your claim, you can appeal to the National Social Security Appeals Council.
- National Social Security Appeals Council - This council will review your claim. Their ruling is final.
- Sue the Social Security Administration? If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your appeal, you can sue the social security administration in federal court.
Do I Need an Attorney to Help Me with My Social Security Matter?
The laws that regulate social security are very complex and confusing. It isn't always clear which benefits you are entitled to. An attorney can help you understand which social security benefits you should be receiving. A lawyer can also help you if you need to appeal a denial of social security benefits.Vea esta página en español: Seguro Social o visita Abogados-Leyes.com para más información legal. |
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