Eleanor Jones
Inside Adviser
Q. “I’m reaching my full retirement age and am thinking about retiring in the first quarter of next year. When is the best time of year to apply for Social Security benefits?”
A. If you are planning to retire in early 2010, you can apply now and complete the process before the start of the busy holiday season. Your monthly payments will then begin on time in 2010. To apply, just go to www.socialsecurity. gov/applytoretire. Applying online for retirement benefits from the convenience of your home or office is secure and can take as little as 15 minutes. It’s so easy!
Q: “I’m 42 years old and have been approved to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. I was shocked to learn that my payment will be reduced because I live with my parents. Why’s that?”
A: SSI is a needsbased program, so any other income you receive – including non-monetary income such as help with your bills or other expenses – can have an effect on your benefit payment. Your SSI payments may be reduced if you are receiving food, shelter, or monetary assistance. If you move, or if the situation in your parents’ household changes, be sure to contact Social Security. For more information, visit www. socialsecurity.gov or call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Q: “How do I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits?” A: The best first step is
to start at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability. There, you can take a look at the Disability Starter Kits. The kits answer common questions about applying for benefits and worksheets will help you gather the information you need. You also can check out the online Adult Disability Report at www.socialsecurity. gov/adultdisabilityreport. At the end of the report, we will ask you to sign a form that gives your doctor permission to send us information about your disability.
We need this information so we can make a decision on your claim. Finally, complete your application for SSI disability benefits by calling our toll free number (1-800-772-1213) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
You may choose to apply for benefits either by phone or in person at a local Social Security office. One of our representatives will help you apply. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. You also may visit an office without making an appointment, but your wait to speak to a representative will be longer.
Q: “Are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments only paid to disabled people?”
A: No. SSI payments also are made to people with limited income and financial resources who are age 65 or older. SSI benefits are available for both adults and children who are blind or disabled.
You can learn more about SSI benefits and who can receive them by reading our online publications about SSI. To begin, refer to the online booklet, Supplemental Security Income, at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/11000.html.
Get answers to your Social Security questions each Thursday from retired 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.