Q: “If I go back to work, will I automatically lose my disability benefits?”
A: No, the Social Security Administration has several work incentives that may help you to return to work without losing your benefits.
For more information about Social Security’s work incentives you should:
— Call our toll-free number at (800) 772-1213
— Contact your local Social Security office, or
— For more information on SSA’s work incentive rules, see also the “Red Book on Work Incentives.” In the search box at www.socialsecurity.gov, type in “Red Book.”
Q: “Why is there a five-month waiting period for Social Security disability benefits.?”
A: The five-month waiting period ensures that during the early months of disability, we do not pay benefits to people who do have long-term disabilities. Social Security disability benefits can be paid only after you have been continuously disabled throughout a period of five full calendar months.
Therefore, Social Security disability benefits will be paid for the sixth full month after the date your disability began. You are not entitled to benefits for any month in the waiting period.
Q: “My husband and I are entitled to Social Security retirement benefits based on our individual work records. Will we each get our full benefit or is there a marriage reduction?”
A: You’ll both get benefits based on your own work records and the age you retire. When each member of a married couple works in employment covered under Social Security and they meet all other eligibility requirements to receive Social Security retirement benefits, their lifetime earnings are calculated independently to determine their Social Security benefit amounts.
Therefore, each spouse receives a monthly benefit amount based on his or her own earnings. Couples are not penalized simply because they are married. However, if one member of a couple earned low wages or didn’t earn enough Social Security to be insured for retirement benefits, he or she may be eligible to receive benefits as a spouse. To learn more, visit our Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll-free at (800) 772-1213 (TTY 1-800 325-0778).
Q: “I usually get my benefit payment on the third of the month. But what if the third falls on a Sunday or holiday? Will my payment be late?”
A: No, just the opposite. Your payment should arrive early. For example, a payment due Feb. 3, a Sunday, would have arrived Feb. 1. You should always wait three days after a missed payment before contacting Social Security. Find more information about the payment schedule for 2008 at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/2008calendar.htm.
Of course, if you have direct deposit, you’ll get your payment even faster, without having to wait for the mail. You can sign up for direct deposit by calling Social Security or your bank, credit union or institution where you have an account.
Q: “My dad receives supplemental security income benefits. He soon will be coming to live with me. Do we have to report the move to Social Security?”
A: Yes. He should report any change in living arrangements within 10 days. The change could affect his benefit amount. Failure to report the change could result in a penalty being deducted from his SSI benefits.
Also, we need his correct address so we can send correspondence.
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.
