Getting Acquainted With Your Social Security Benefits by:Alva Pao-Pei Alfonso

There are four basic categories of Social Security Benefits

, classified according to the records of your earnings. Each category is important in different situations. It is advisable that you are familiar with the benefits that are applicable to you in the event that you will need to claim them.

Retirement Benefits

Members who have been employed for a sufficient number of years may apply for this benefit at the age of 62. Usually this translates to about ten years of working at a non-governmental job. The benefit each eligible member receives is a portion of what they were getting while they were still employed.

There is an option to wait a few years longer in order to get a bigger amount monthly. Waiting for the full retirement age (between ages 65-67) will mean an increase in the retirement benefits claimed monthly. There is even an added bonus if members delay their claim until the age of 70. You can get a better idea of the amount involved by contacting the Social Security Administration.

Disability Benefits

These are benefits usually claimed by people who are not yet of retirement age but are considered legally disabled.

The Social Security Administration defines disability as having a physical or mental condition that prevents you from participating in any substantially gainful activity for at least a period of one year. Determining if a person is entitled to disability benefits is oftentimes not a straightforward matter. The Social Security Administration evaluates each case with the help of their medical experts. They base their decisions on a set of regulations surrounding some physical and mental conditions. These regulations are usually filled with medical and legal terms that are hard for laymen to understand without help.

Dependents Benefits

This is a Social Security benefit that is given to the spouse of a disabled member who has qualified for disability benefits. Included in this benefit are the minor or disabled children of the member and is based on his/her earning record. This benefit can be claimed whether or not the member's spouse is dependent on his/her income.

Survivor's Benefits

This benefit is given to the spouse and/or the minor or disabled children of a deceased member who was eligible for retirement and disability benefits.

Claiming these benefits is only a matter of filling out and filing the applicable forms and other requirements. However, there are times when your application for a Social Security benefit is denied, resulting to the need to file an appeal. The most common type of appeal is those related to the disability benefits, and usually because the evaluation is so stringent.

Many appeals have a good chance of resulting to a reversal of decisions, though. If your appeal was rejected, it is usually good practice to file an appeal within the required period. If your appeal has already been rejected several times, sit down with a Social Security Benefits Attorney to discuss your case. It is essential to review first whether your case really does meet the requirements of the SSA, and if it does, to gather enough pertinent evidence so that you can get a favorable decision in a federal court.

About the author

To help you pursue disability benefits and other claims, consult with our experienced social security attorneys. Visit our website at http://www.socialsecuritylawattorney.com/Social-Security-Disability-Benefits-Attorneys.html and call us toll free for legal assistance.

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