Planning Ahead - Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Survivor’s Benefits: When a worker dies, survivor’s benefits are paid to certain family members.Persons who can receive survivor’s benefits are:• A widow/widower age 60 or older• A widow/widower age 50 or older and disabled• A widow/widower caring for a child under age 16 or a disabled child• An unmarried child• A disabled child of any age who was disabled before age 22 and remainsdisabled• Parents who were dependent upon the deceased for at least half of their supportThe amount of money each person will receive is dependent upon how much income the wageearner has received from employment over his working lifetime. To learn how much you andyour dependent would receive, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 andask for a form called “Request for Earnings and Benefits Statement.” Within approximately sixweeks they will advise you what your estimated benefits will be.SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another federal program but is based upon a person’sfinancial need. It pays monthly checks to persons who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability,and who meet the financial eligibility test for resources and income. It is also available tochildren who are blind or disabled. Persons who get SSI are also eligible for Medicaid (a healthinsurance program) and often are eligible for other federal programs such as food stamps.The basic amount paid for SSI is the same nationwide, but some states add money for certainthings to the basic amount. The Social Security office advises about these supplements whena person applies for SSI.Persons may be able to receive both Social Security benefits and SSI if the amount of their SocialSecurity benefits is smaller than the maximum amount that they would be entitled to receiveunder SSI.SSI eligibility depends on a person’s age, blindness or disability, the value of property or assetsowned and income the person has from any source.Disabled (the same as with Social Security benefits) means that a person has physical or mentalproblems that prevent him or her from working and the disability is expected to last at leasta year or to result in death.Income means money obtained from wages, Social Security checks, pensions or anyitems received such as food, clothing or shelter. However, currently certain things are notcounted:• The first $20 of income per month• The first $65 per month earned from working and half the amount over $65• Food stamps• Most food, clothing or shelter you get from private nonprofit organizations• Most home energy assistanceChapter 3, Using Government Benefits11