The Social Security Administration administers retirement, disability, survivor and family benefits, and enrolls individuals in Medicare. It also provides Social Security numbers, handles financial transactions and determines eligibility for certain government services. Here are Social Security benefits and programs that service members and their families may find useful.
Social Security Disability Programs
Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs provide assistance to people who meet eligibility requirements for disability. The SSDI program pays benefits to disabled individuals who have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes on their earnings.
The SSI program pays benefits to adults and children who meet eligibility requirements for a qualifying disability and have limited income and resources. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
Use the Social Security Administration Disability Benefits online portal for information on the two Social Security disability benefit programs and how to apply.
Social Security Survivor Benefits
Social Security survivor benefits are paid to widows, widowers and dependents of eligible workers. This benefit is particularly important for young families with children. The amount of the benefit is based on the number of Social Security credits the worker had earned. You earn credits when you work and pay Social Security taxes.
You should notify the Social Security Administration immediately when a person dies. In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death. You should give the funeral home the deceased person’s Social Security number if you want them to make the report.
SSI for Military Children Overseas
In most cases, Supplemental Security Income eligibility ends when recipients leave the United States for 30 days or more. But there is a special rule that continues the benefit for children of active-duty service members living overseas.
Find more information, including contact information for the SSI Military Children Overseas coordinator, on the Social Security website.
Representative Payee Program
The Social Security Administration’s Representative Payment Program provides benefit payment management for beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income payments. The SSA appoints an individual to manage the Social Security payments on behalf of the beneficiary.
