Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits?
There are many people that are entitled to receive Social Security benefits. Many people don’t know that the application to apply for SSI benefits is the same application used to apply for these benefits. However, in order for a person to begin collecting these benefits, the applicant must go through a process where they will need to send in additional information to see if they qualify.
Requirements Needed
To qualify for Social Security benefits, as a worker you must be 62 or older, blind or disabled, and insured by having enough work credits. All applicants must also be U.S. citizens or lawfully present aliens.
As far as work, work is measured in credits. Four work credits can be earned per year based on your earnings annually. The amount of earnings that are required for a work credit goes up every year as levels increase for a general wage.
To qualify for these benefits and similar ones, you must have earned at least one work credit for each calendar year between the ages of 21 and 62. However, for those who are blind or disabled, you must have received a maximum of 40 credits. No matter your age, a minimum of six work credits is required.
How far in advance can I apply for benefits?
In order to qualify for social security benefits, you must be at least 62 years of age for the entire month. If you were born on the first day or second day of the month, you will meet this requirement in the month of your 62nd birthday. However, if you were born on any other day of the month, you will not meet this requirement until the following month.
In simple terms, you are eligible to apply for Social Security benefits up to four months before you prefer to have your benefits begin. For instance, if your birthday is December 2nd, on which you will turn 62, you can begin the application for these benefits as early as August, but you wouldn’t receive them until December.
Once you are ready to begin the application for benefits, you can apply online which is probably the easiest and quickest way to apply. The same applies to Social Security benefits Wyckoff NJ-based.
