Q: Ms. A, of Ormond Beach, Fla., writes: “I have a friend that owns a modular home here in Ormond Beach, Fla. She receives SSI benefits. A friend of her mom who does her paperwork (maybe an accountant) said my friend cannot own her own home and receive SSI? She works part time and is a little freaked out by this. Can you shed some light on this subject for me?”

A: Yes, a person who owns a house and lives in that home can be eligible for SSI benefits. For more information, read our booklet, “Supplemental Security Income” (SSA Pub. No. 05-11000).

Q: Ms. S writes: “I have not been able to work since I had both knees replaced — one in 2005 and the other two years. I cannot bend either and have been in and out of physical therapy. My question is, should I be able to get disability Social Security I have other health problems also? I have signed up once before but missed the appeal due to another surgery at the time of the appeal, could I sign up again for the disability?”

A: There are two ways that you can apply for disability benefits. You can: (1) apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov; or (2) call our toll-free number at (800) 772-1213 to make an appointment to file a disability claim at your local Social Security office or set up an appointment for someone to take you claim over the telephone.

The disability interview lasts about an hour. If you schedule an appointment, a disability starter kit will be mailed to you. The disability starter kit will help prepare you for your disability claims interview. If you apply online, the disability starter kit is at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

Q: Ms. S writes: “I would like to report someone for fraud (Social Security disability benefits). I have researched the Social Security Web site and found the information which is required to make such a report — and the calls are kept anonymous. I am not certain if I have enough information ... such as I do not have the recipient’s SSN and I would like to know if indeed the information source is protected. Should I go ahead with the information I currently have and if the source (me) is protected?”

A: The Social Security Administration considers reports of fraud very seriously and is interested in the information you have regarding abuse in our program. The office of the Inspector General investigates instances of Social Security-related fraud and abuse.

To act on your allegation, we need as much information as possible about the individual suspected of fraud. If the Social Security Number is unknown, try to provide as much identifying information as possible; e.g., the individual’s date and place of birth, father’s name, and mother’s birth name. You can choose to remain anonymous.

Q: A Chattanooga reader asks: “Please clear up a question for me. Is the $255 Social Security benefit only for a spouse or can a relative who had to pay part of the funeral costs apply for it? The party had no relatives except siblings, one of whom had to pay part of funeral expenses. Thank you for all the advice I have gotten from your articles.”

A: A lump-sum death benefit of $255 may be paid upon the death of a person who has worked long enough to be insured under the Social Security program. This payment can be paid upon the death of the insured person even if they were not receiving retirement or disability benefits at the time of death.

This one-time payment is payable to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the beneficiary at the time of death, or if living apart, was eligible for Social Security benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record for the month of death.

If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who was eligible for benefits on the beneficiary's earnings record in the month of death. If no spouse or child meeting these requirements exists, then the lump sum death payment will not be paid. The lump sum death payment cannot be paid to funeral homes for funeral expenses. To file for the benefit, call (800) 772-1213 and request an appointment for your local office. You must file the application for the lump-sum death payment within the two-year period ending with the second anniversary of the insured person’s death.

Get answers to your Social Security questions each Thursday from Social Security District Manager Eleanor Jones. Submit questions to her attention by writing to Business Editor John Vass Jr., Chattanooga Times Free Press, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447, or by e-mailing him at jvass@timesfreepress.com.