The U.S. government has a wide range of benefits for people with disabilities, but not all of them are available to your spouse. If you have a disability and have been married for at least one year, your spouse may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both, according to the United States Social Security Administration. However, they must meet some additional requirements to qualify.
If your spouse already collects Social Security benefits, they may be eligible for an earned benefit as well as a spousal benefit. In this case, the earned benefit is based on their monthly income and hours worked. The SSA compares the earned benefit to the spousal benefit and pays whichever amount is larger.
Disability Benefits For Spouse is a term that covers different amounts of money. The amount of benefits depends on who is applying for the claim, what their level of disability is, and how many months they have been receiving benefits.
What are my disability benefits
There are many options open to spouses of disabled workers, including:
- Payment of a spouse’s wages while the disabled worker is receiving benefits
- Social Security Administration paid work credits
- Blindness benefits
For your spouse to qualify for spousal benefits, they must also be age 62 or older, or any age and caring for your child who is younger than 16 or was disabled before age 22. The most that can be collected in spousal benefits is 50% of the spouse’s monthly benefit at their full age of retirement. A detailed guide on how to apply for disability benefits and how your spouse could collect is available online through the United States Social Security Administration.
How to apply for my disability benefits
In order to qualify for spousal benefits, some conditions must be met. The disabled spouse must have a doctor’s note stating that they have a disability which makes them unable to work. Social Security will look at the medical records of the patient and use these to determine if they are disabled.
To apply for disability benefits, visit the Social Security Administration website (www.ssa.gov) or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. After making sure you meet the eligibility requirements, you may begin your application. You should be prepared to provide a number of documents, such as your birth certificate and social security card. Additionally, you may want to bring other paperwork with information about your work history. Keep in mind that if a spouse retired early, benefits may be reduced.
Other benefits that you might be eligible for
Whether or not you qualify for spousal disability benefits, you may be eligible for other benefits such as survivors benefits or VA medical and pension benefits. Consult with your attorney for more information on these other benefits.
If you are a widower or widow of a worker who reached full retirement age, then you may be able to collect survivors’ benefits from Social Security after age 60. Additionally, a widow or widower who has become disabled before or within seven years of their spouse’s death may begin collecting benefits at age 50. Widows or widowers who have not remarried may receive survivors benefits at any age if they are caring for their deceased spouse’s child who is younger than 16 or is disabled and receives child’s benefits. A surviving spouse can also apply for a spouse’s pension under the Veterans’ Administration.
Social Security disability benefits can be a crucial part of your financial security. A Disability Lawyers In Orlando can help you get the support you need and guide you through the complicated process.
