SSDI question

[Guest guest]

I got a letter back in mid to late Sept from the SSA. (My hubby turned 62 at the

end of Nov & so his SS started Jan 1st, along with my son, . The guy I

talked to had told me that I should fill out an application also, since is

disabled & I also take care of him.

I'm going to call the SSA tomorrow & hope I get through. But thought somebody

might shed some light on this.

This is the first paragraphs of the letter:

" We have approved your application for spouse's benefits. Your entitlement date

is January 2011.

We cannot pay you because of your work.

Any future payments will be based on your current monthly benefit rate of

$671.50. "

I was told that I'd start receiving a check in Feb. but it hasn't happened. I

was working lots of overtime Sept through Dec. My hrs. got cut last month &

this month, because the person I was working for is back. So is the check really

based on how many hrs I work? If it's an entitlement for spouse's benefits,

(because of my hubby,then why are they basing it on MY work)

Had planned on using some of it, to join a health club with my son. He's got

some depression along with the other stuff he's already been dealing with & so

was hoping to get him out & exercising.

Thanks,

Liz

[Guest guest]

I agree with everything that Terrie stated, however remember that if the DAC is

going to live in a CILA (group home) that the SS amount that the DAC will

receive is capped at $50 a month (balance to the Agency, reducing what the State

will pay the Agency) and if living in an ICFDD, capped at$30 a month, so the DAC

will not ever benefit from waiting until 66. Also the DAC will receive Medicare

24 months after becoming a DAC, so waiting until 66 will delay that eligibility.

Just additional things to consider in making a decision.

Rubin

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From: Theresa Varnet [mailto:tvarnet@...]

Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 09:15 AM

IPADDUnite <IPADDUnite >

Subject: Re: SSDI question

Hi Liz, You are entitled to receive 'spouse's benefits' under your husband's

work record as a " caregiver spouse of a disabled adult child (DAC) " . A DAC is a

child who was disabled prior to 22, incapable of gainful activity and single.

If your earnings are over a certain amount, there is an assumption that you are

not a 'caregiver spouse'. I believe the income cut off is fairly low - around

$12-$14,000 per year (gross, not net). You can learn more in the SS Handbook,

Chapter 3 or call SSA to find out the income cut off. It sounds like you were

over this amount at the end of last year when they evaluated your eligibility so

if your income has decreased, report it right away.

You and your husband may want to consult a financial planner to run the numbers

to determine the real cost of taking 'early retirement' under SSA. Because of

DAC benefits and spousal benefits, your husband may want to reconsider taking

early retirement at age 62 if he has another option. It still isn't too late to

change his mind as SSA gives you one year to decide if you want to delay

receiving retirement benefits until full retirement age of 66. Generally a

spouse and a DAC each receive 50% of the worker's social security while he is

retired and each will receive 75% of the worker's social security should he

die. As this figure is fixed to the lower amount when early retirement is

taken, it can lead to a significant loss of income over the lifetimes of the

spouse and DAC. When most folks run the figures, they do not think about the

decrease in DAC benefits and Spousal benefits which is why I suggest you meet

with a financial planner or discuss in more detail with SSA. Terrie Varnet

________________________________

From: Liz <dljar58@...<mailto:dljar58%40charter.net>>

IPADDUnite <mailto:IPADDUnite%40>

Sent: Sun, February 6, 2011 11:20:28 PM

Subject: SSDI question

I got a letter back in mid to late Sept from the SSA. (My hubby turned 62 at the

end of Nov & so his SS started Jan 1st, along with my son, . The guy I

talked to had told me that I should fill out an application also, since is

disabled & I also take care of him.

I'm going to call the SSA tomorrow & hope I get through. But thought somebody

might shed some light on this.

This is the first paragraphs of the letter:

" We have approved your application for spouse's benefits. Your entitlement date

is January 2011.

We cannot pay you because of your work.

Any future payments will be based on your current monthly benefit rate of

$671.50. "

I was told that I'd start receiving a check in Feb. but it hasn't happened. I

was working lots of overtime Sept through Dec. My hrs. got cut last month &

this month, because the person I was working for is back. So is the check really

based on how many hrs I work? If it's an entitlement for spouse's benefits,

(because of my hubby,then why are they basing it on MY work)

Had planned on using some of it, to join a health club with my son. He's got

some depression along with the other stuff he's already been dealing with & so

was hoping to get him out & exercising.

Thanks,

Liz

[Guest guest]

,

I love to be able to go to the experts first. SSA makes things so confusing.

As I mentioned to Terrie, we're keeping my hubby retired, so he can take care of

our son. Did the ICF-DD thing (that's why he's back at home) & can't get him

CILA funding; but hopefully before I die, he'll get into a safe place HE WANTS

to call home.

Liz