If you’re one of many people in Ohio with a qualifying disability, you may be eligible for certain benefits provided by the federal government. There are typically three primary eligibility requirements to fulfill to collect benefits. This system is known as Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
One of the requirements is that your income must be $1,470 or less every month. Your injury or health condition must prevent you from working, and you must have experienced these limitations for at least one year before applying for SSD benefits. If your condition is not on the list of eligible conditions, try not to lose hope. The Social Security Administration (SSA) may review your case and make an individual decision.
What happens to SSD when you reach retirement age?
Many SSD benefits recipients worry that they will lose their benefits when they turn 65. Full SSA retirement age, however, is 66 or 67. Your birthday determines which. When you reach the SSA’s full retirement age, your benefits will convert to Social Security retirement benefits. If, for example, you were born in or after 1960, then 67 is the full retirement age that applies to you.
You don’t have to do anything on your end to activate the transition. It is an automatic update in the system. There are certain issues that may spark a reduction in benefits, though, so it’s best to seek guidance ahead of time so that you know what to expect. In some cases, such as if you’re receiving a widow’s or widower’s SSD benefits, you do need to contact the SSA when you reach full retirement age.
Receiving SSD or Social Security retirement benefits alongside SSI
If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it may be possible to simultaneously collect SSD benefits or Social Security retirement benefits. If so, you might want to research the regulations that govern these programs. In many cases, when you receive SSI and are also eligible for benefits under one of the other programs, the government will reduce your overall benefits.
Understanding the differences between SSD, SSI and Social Security retirement benefits can be challenging, especially if you have no experience or background in elder law issues. Thankfully, there are many resources available to obtain guidance and support so that you have an easier time navigating the system and can be sure you are receiving the maximum number of benefits to which you may be entitled.