By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Question: How do I know if I’ve worked long enough to get Social Security disability benefits? Answer: To get Social Security disability benefits, you must meet the definition of disability under the Social Security Act. And you must have worked long enough — and recently enough — under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. The amount … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 13
By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security is here for young people when a parent passes away. We know that the loss of a parent isn’t just emotionally painful; it can be devastating to a family’s finances. In the same way that Social Security helps to lift up the disabled and elderly when they need it, we support families when an income-earning … Continue reading If You are Young and Lose a Parent
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Work means different things to different people, but it can give you a sense of self, a community to rely on, and much-needed structure. Some people define themselves through their careers, while others enjoy the social aspect of their jobs. If you rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments and want to start working or return to … Continue reading Achieving Self-Support with Social Security
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Online and otherwise, there’s a lot of information out there, and sometimes it’s difficult to tell what sources are credible. With millions of people relying on Social Security, scammers target audiences who are looking for program and benefit information. The law that addresses misleading Social Security and Medicare advertising prohibits people or non-government businesses from using words … Continue reading Don’t Be Misled By False Medicare or Social Security Ads
By Jadranko Tomic Bobas, J.D., Managing Hotline Attorney, and Kathryn Petersen, Legal Hotline Intern Effective August 8, 2018, Michigan Legislature amended a portion of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) to clarify a child’s right to the exempt property allowance. The exempt property allowance is an additional benefit of a decedent’s estate that is available to the surviving spouse or to the decedent’s children and can include any household items, … Continue reading Changes in Omitting Beneficiaries from a Will
By Vonda Vantil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist September 6 is National Fight Procrastination Day. With our busy lives, it is easy to fall into that cycle of constantly postponing some tasks because of other things we need to address right now. This may be true for you when it comes to changing your payment method for Social Security benefits. How can you change your … Continue reading Beat Procrastination by Changing Your Direct Deposit Early
By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Question: What is the benefit amount a spouse may be entitled to receive? Answer: If you are eligible for both your own retirement benefit and for benefits as a spouse, we will always pay you benefits based on your record first. If your benefit as a spouse is higher than your retirement benefit, you will receive a combination … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 12
