Key Takeaway
- For Social Security income, the youngest age you can apply is 61 years and nine months old.
- You’d then receive your first Social Security check four months later—the month after your 62nd birthday.
- While it typically takes several weeks to process a new application, some may be approved in the same month that you apply.
How can I Check my SSI benefits?
- Verify your intent to file.
- Confirm the information provided.
- Obtain any additional information needed.
- Offer you the opportunity to provide your verbal consent to sign the application.
What you should know before you apply for Social Security disability benefits?
Here are three of the key factors we use to determine if you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits:
- You must have a lasting medical condition so severe that it prevents you from doing the work that you did in the past or adjusting to other types of work;
- Your physical or mental impairment (s) must have lasted or be expected to last at least a year or result in death; and
- You must have worked long enough — and recently enough — in jobs covered by Social Security.
Who is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
Unlike Social Security, children, themselves, who are blind or deaf are eligible to receive SSI benefits. To receive Social Security benefits a person has to have " worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes " in order be " insured " so that the benefits be paid to you or "certain members of your family."
When to apply for Social Security retirement benefits?
- You must be at least age 62 for the entire month to be eligible to receive benefits.
- You are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
- You have not already applied for retirement benefits.
- You want your benefits to start no later than four months in the future. ...
How many months in advance should you apply for Social Security benefits?
four monthsYou can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December, and apply in August. Even if you are not ready to retire, you still should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.
What makes you eligible for SSI?
To get SSI, you must meet one of these requirements: • Be age 65 or older. Be totally or partially blind. Have a medical condition that keeps you from working and is expected to last at least one year or result in death. There are different rules for children.
What is the earliest you can collect SSI?
age 62The earliest a person can start receiving Social Security retirement benefits will remain age 62. Social Security benefits are reduced for each month a person receives benefits before full retirement age.
Can you collect SSI at 55?
So can you retire at 55 and collect Social Security? The answer, unfortunately, is no. The earliest age to begin drawing Social Security retirement benefits is 62.
What's the difference between Social Security and SSI?
Social Security benefits may be paid to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured” meaning you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work.
What are the 3 types of Social Security?
Social Security Benefits: Retirement, Disability, Dependents, and Survivors (OASDI)
Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or wait?
You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.
How long does it take to get first Social Security check after applying?
Once you have applied, it could take up to three months to receive your first benefit payment. Social Security benefits are paid monthly, starting in the month after the birthday at which you attain full retirement age (which is currently 66 and will gradually rise to 67 over the next several years).
How do I apply for Social Security for the first time?
You can apply:Online; or.By calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office. ... If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories, you can also contact your nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.
What is age 55 considered?
As I mentioned, 55 is the age at which you're considered to be a senior citizen -- at least in the eyes on many businesses offering discounts. Being labeled a senior citizen might make you feel old, but you should still take advantage of the perks. For example, you can now get discounts on: Restaurants.
What happens to my Social Security if I stop working at 55?
If You Stop Work Before You Start Receiving Benefits Years with no earnings reduces your retirement benefit amount. Even if you have 35 years of earnings when you stopped working, some of those years may be low-earning years.
Can I retire at 57 and collect Social Security?
Can I Take Social Security at 57? The short answer is no, you're not eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits at age 57. The earliest you can begin taking Social Security for retirement is age 62. So if you plan to retire at 57 you'll be waiting at least five years before you can claim those benefits.
You Can Apply For SSI Benefits by
Visiting our Apply Online for Disability Benefits page to start the disability application process online. You may be eligible to apply for SSI thr...
You Have The Right to Receive Help from Social Security
We will complete the application forms for you based on information you give to us.We will help you get documents you need to show that you meet th...
You Have The Right to A Representative
You may appoint someone as your representative to help you with your SSI claim and go with you to your appointment(s) with us.
You Have The Right to A Notice
We will notify you in writing of any decision about your SSI eligibility or change in benefit amount. We will also send copies of all notices to yo...
You Have The Right to Examine Your File
You or your appointed representative may request and examine or get a copy of the information in your case file. Also, you or your representative m...
You Have The Right to Appeal
You may appeal most determinations we make about your eligibility for SSI or changes we make in your benefit amount.
How long can I get SSI?
You may receive SSI for a maximum of 7 years from the date DHS granted you qualified alien status in one of the following categories, and the status was granted within seven years of filing for SSI: Refugee admitted to the United States (U.S.) under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);
How long can you be ineligible for Social Security if you give away a resource?
If you give away a resource or sell it for less than it is worth in order to reduce your resources below the SSI resource limit, you may be ineligible for SSI for up to 36 months.
What is a non-citizen on SSI?
the non–citizen must be in a qualified alien category, and. meet a condition that allows qualified aliens to get SSI benefits. A non–citizen must also meet all of the other requirements for SSI eligibility, including the limits on income, resources, etc.
Why does my SSI stop?
For example, your SSI will stop if you lose your status as a qualified alien because there is an active warrant for your deportation or removal from the U.S. If you are a qualified alien but you no longer meet one of the conditions that allow SSI eligibility for qualified aliens, then your SSI benefits will stop.
What is CAL disability?
Compassionate Allowances (CAL) are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits. These conditions primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that affect children.
What is considered income for SSI?
Income, for the purposes of SSI includes: money you earn from work; money you receive from other sources, such as Social Security benefits, workers compensation, unemployment benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs, friends or relatives; and. free food or shelter.
What are resources for SSI?
Resources, for the purposes of SSI, are things you own such as: cash; bank accounts, stocks, U.S. savings bonds; land; vehicles; personal property; life insurance; and. anything else you own that could be converted to cash and used for food or shelter. We do not count the value of all of your resources for SSI.
Ways to Apply
You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.
Retirement or Spouse's Benefits
You can apply online for Retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started.
Disability Benefits
You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.
Appeal a Disability Decision
If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started.
Medicare Benefits
You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started.
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs
You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
If you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read:
How long does it take to apply for Social Security?
The application itself takes about 10 to 30 minutes and can be saved at any point for future completion. In addition, this application can also be used to apply for Medicare. 6. It is generally recommended that you apply ...
When do you get your Social Security check?
The earliest you can apply for Social Security benefits is at age 61 and nine months, and you can expect to receive your first payment four months later—the month after your birthday. 1 Typically, Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due, or must be specified.
How old do you have to be to get Social Security?
For Social Security income, the youngest age you can apply is 61 years and nine months old. You’d then receive your first Social Security check four months later—the month after your 62nd birthday. While it typically takes several weeks to process a new application, some may be approved in the same month that you apply.
Is Social Security open for appointment?
As of November 2020, all local Social Security offices are open by appointment only, and only for “dire need situations,” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can you calculate your full retirement age based on your birthday?
Every individual can calculate their own "full retirement age" based on their specific birthday, in order to consider locking in the maximum amount of Social Security benefits.
What age do you have to be to get SSI?
The SSI program provides monthly payments to people who: Are at least age 65 or blind or disabled. Have limited income (wages, pensions, etc.). Have limited resources (the things you own). Are U.S. citizens, nationals of the U.S., or some noncitizens.
Can I get less SSI?
You may get less if you have other income such as wages, pensions, or Social Security benefits. You may also get less if someone pays your household expenses or if you live with a spouse and he or she has income. You may be able to get SSI if your resources are worth $2,000 or less.
Apply for Retirement Benefits
Starting your Social Security retirement benefits is a major step on your retirement journey. This page will guide you through the process of applying for retirement benefits when you’re ready to take that step. Our online application is a convenient way to apply on your own schedule, without an appointment.
Ready To Retire?
Before you apply, take time to review the basics, understand the process, and gather the documents you’ll need to complete an application.
Apply Online
To start your application, go to our Apply for Benefits page, and read and agree to the Terms of Service. Click “Next.”
Signing the Online Application
You will have a chance to review your answers and make changes, if needed. Once you’ve filled everything out, we will ask you to confirm that your answers are true to the best of your knowledge.
Once You've Applied
Once you’ve applied, we’ll review it to make sure you meet the basic requirements and contact you if we have any questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can process your application.
Check The Status
You can check the status of your SSI application online using your personal my Social Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, call us 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday to check the status of the application.
Appeal A Decision
You have a right to appeal any decision we make about whether you’re entitled to payments. You must request an appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving our decision.
You must inform us of certain changes
You must report the changes listed here, because they may affect your eligibility for SSI and your payment amount.
When Do You Need to Report?
Report all changes that may affect your SSI as soon as possible and no later than 10 days after the end of the month in which the change occurred.
Once You've Applied
Once you've applied, we'll review your application to make sure you meet the basic requirements and contact you if we have any questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can process your application.
Appeal A Decision
You have a right to appeal any decision we make about whether you’re entitled to payments. You must request an appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving our decision.
You must inform us of certain changes
You must report the changes listed here, because they may affect your eligibility for SSI and your payment amount.
When Do You Need to Report?
Report all changes that may affect your SSI as soon as possible and no later than 10 days after the end of the month in which the change occurred.
Reporting your income
You can report your income to us in writing, by phone, online, or through our Smartphone app. Visit our SSI Wage Reporting page to learn more.
Manage your SSI information with a my Social Security account
Once you are receiving SSI, your my Social Security account provides personalized tools. You can use my Social Security to:
What does it mean to delay retirement benefits?
If you are the higher earner, delaying starting your retirement benefit means higher monthly benefits for the rest of your life and higher survivor protection for your spouse, if you die first.
Is it important to decide when to start receiving Social Security?
Choosing when to start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits is an important decision that affects your monthly benefit amount for the rest of your life. Your monthly retirement benefit will be higher if you delay claiming it.
