a
- Advance Designation - Making an advance designation allows someone of your choosing to manage your benefits on your behalf in the event that you are no longer capable of managing your benefits on your own.
- AIME - (Average Indexed Monthly Earnings) The average monthly earnings in the highest grossing 35 years of the applicant’s lifetime.
- Appeal - In the event you disagree with a decision, you can appeal it. Appeals are common after the initial and reconsideration levels.
- Appeal (Appeal Rights) - In the event you disagree with a decision, you can appeal it. Appeals are common after the initial and reconsideration levels.
- Application for Benefits - You must apply for Social Security benefits in order to receive them, thus the initial application is the first step in the disability process.
- Application for Benefits - You must apply for Social Security benefits in order to receive them, thus the initial application is the first step in the disability process.
- Average Indexed Monthly Earnings - (AIME) The average monthly earnings in the highest grossing 35 years of the applicant’s lifetime.
b
- Back Pay - (Retroactive Benefits) The amount of SSD benefits you would have received from when you applied for benefits to when your claim is approved, minus a 5-month waiting period.
- Base Years - In computing Social Security Benefits, these are the years after 1950 up to the year before entitlement to retirement or disability. For a survivior’s claim, the base years include the year of the worker’s death.
- Benefit Verification Letter - An official letter from Social Security that states the amount an individual receives each month in Social Security benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. A benefit verification letter also shows proof that someone is not receiving benefits or is waiting for a decision.
- Benefits - Reduced - The Following benefits are reduced depending on when you began receiving them: Retirement benefits at age 62 and before full retirement age. Spouse benefits at age 62 before full retirement age. Widow’s or widower’s benefits beginning at any time from age 60, or age 50 if you are disabled until the month before you reach […]
- Birth Certificate - The official record of your birth kept by the state, county, parish, or city.
c
- Child - The term “child” would be a child that can inherit your personal property under state law. Including adopted child, equitable child, stepchild, dependent grandchild or step-grandchild in your care.
- COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) - Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments may be increased in the year following an increase in the cost of living (inflation).
- Computation Years - The highest earning years from 1950 and up.
- CPI-W (Consumer Price Index) - The measure of the average change over time in the prices paid for goods and services to determine cost of living adjustments.
- Credits (Social Security Credits) - As you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits that count toward your eligibility for future Social Security benefits. You can earn a maximum of four credits each year. Most people need 40 credits to qualify for benefits. Younger people need fewer credits to qualify for disability or survivors benefits.
d
- Decision Notice (Award Letter or Denial Letter) - The award or denial letter explaining the decision on the applicant’s claim for benefits.
e
- Early Retirement - You can start getting Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62 if you are insured, but your benefit amount will be less than you would have gotten if you waited until your full retirement age. If you take retirement benefits early, your benefit will remain permanently reduced, based on the number of months […]
- Early Retirement Age - Age 62 is the early retirement age.
- Earnings Record (lifetime record of earnings) - A chronological history of the amount of money you earned each year during your working lifetime.
- Evidence (Proofs) - All documents you submit to Social Security to support your case for disability, retirement benefits or payment amount.
f
- Full Retirement Age - When you work, you pay into Social Security and earn credits, if you have earned enough credits you will be insured and eligible for Social Security Disability. There is not a insured requirement for disability through Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
i
- Insured Status - When you work, you pay into Social Security and earn credits, if you have earned enough credits you will be insured and eligible for Social Security Disability. There is not a insured requirement for disability through Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
l
- Lifetime Earnings “Earnings Record” - A chronological history of the amount of money you earned each year during your working lifetime. You can view your lifetime earnings with a personal my Social Security account.
m
- Medicaid - A joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for people with low incomes and limited resources. Medicaid programs vary from state to state. For more information, see Medicaid.gov
- Medicare - The federal health insurance program for: People 65 years of age or older. Certain younger people with disabilities. People with permanent kidney failure with dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease). For more information, see Medicare Benefits and the Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare.
- Medicare - Generally, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older or those that have been found disabled by Social Security for 24 months or longer.
- Month of Election - This usually applies to retirement claims. In certain situations, you can choose the month in which you want your benefits to start. There are many different factors that can affect when you want to begin receiving your payments.
- Month of Election - Once electing for retirement, this is the month you choose for benefits to start.
n
- Normal Retirement Age - The age at which a person may first become entitled to full or unreduced benefits based on age. The age which you will be able to collect your full retirement benefit amount. The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were […]
- Normal Retirement Age - You are eligible for reduced retirement benefits from age 62 until full retirement age at 67.
- Number Holder - A person who earns Social Security credits while working for wages or self-employment income. Sometimes referred to as the “Number Holder” or “Worker.”
- Number Holder - A person who earns Social Security credits while working for wages or self-employment income. Sometimes referred to as the “Number Holder” or “Worker.”
- Nutrition Assistance Programs - The United States Department of Agriculture program that helps needy families buy food. For more information, see Nutrition Assistance Programs (05-10100).
o
- OASDI (Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance) - The Social Security programs that provide monthly cash benefits to workers and their dependents when they retire, become disabled, or die.
- Out-of-pocket - When using an SSD attorney, an applicant does not pay unless their SSD claim is approved. If it is not approved, you do not owe any money to your SSD lawyer.
p
- Payment Dates for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments - SSI payments are usually dated and delivered on the first day of the month for which they are due. However, if the first falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, they are dated and delivered on the first day preceding the first of the month which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. […]
- PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) - The monthly amount payable if you are a retired worker who begins receiving benefits at full retirement age or if you’re disabled and have never received a retirement benefit reduced for age.
- PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) - The monthly amount payable if found disabled or the monthly amount payable to someone reaching full retirement age.
- Proofs - All documents you submit to Social Security to support your case for disability, retirement benefits or payment amount.
- Protective Filing Date - The date you first contact us about filing for benefits. We may use this date to establish an earlier application date than when we receive your signed application.
- Protective Filing Date - The date you file for benefits.
q
- QC (Quarter of Coverage) - Previously called “Quarters of Coverage.” As you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits that count toward your eligibility for future Social Security benefits. You can earn a maximum of four credits each year. Most people need 40 credits to qualify for benefits. Younger people need fewer credits to qualify for disability or […]
- QC (Quarter of Coverage) - As you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits that count toward your eligibility for future Social Security benefits. You can earn a maximum of four credits each year. Most people need 40 credits to qualify for benefits. Younger people need fewer credits to qualify for disability or survivors benefits.
r
- Reduction Months - Months beginning with the first month you’re entitled to reduced benefits up to, but not including, the month in which you reach full retirement age. For more information, see Starting Your Retirement Benefits Early.
- Reduction Months - If you start receiving benefits early, your benefits are reduced a small percent for each month before your full retirement age.
- Representative Payee - If you receive Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and become unable to handle your own financial affairs, we (after a careful investigation) appoint a relative, a friend, or an interested party to handle your Social Security matters on your behalf. If you are a beneficiary or a claimant who has attained age […]
- Retirement Age - Full Benefits - The Age you become eligible for unreduced benefits. Anyone born before 1960 is at full retirement age. The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, […]
- Retirement Age – Full Benefits - The age which you will be able to collect your full retirement benefit amount. The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits […]
- Retirement Age – Minimum - The minimum age for retirement—age 62 for workers, and age 60 for widows or widowers. You can choose a reduced benefit anytime before you reach full retirement age.
- Retirement Earnings Test - If you receive monthly Social Security benefits before your full retirement age and work, your earnings from wages and/or self-employment cannot exceed a certain amount without reducing your monthly benefits. See https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html
- Retroactive Benefits - (Back Pay) The amount of SSD benefits you would have received from when you applied for benefits to when your claim is approved, minus a 5-month waiting period.
s
- Social Security Disability benefit payment - A monthly payment a disabled individual can collect if they are “insured,” meaning that they worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.
- Social Security Number - The nine digit number given to you by the Social Security Administration.
- Social Security Number - The nine digit number given to you by the Social Security Administration.
- Social Security Office - The office that handles all Social Security matters in your area. Please see the link for a local Social Security office near you. https://www.ssa.gov/locator/?URL=%2Fapps6z%2FFOLO%2Ffo001.jsp
- Social Security Office - The office that handles all Social Security matters in your area. Please see the link for a local Social Security office near you. https://www.ssa.gov/locator/?URL=%2Fapps6z%2FFOLO%2Ffo001.jsp
- Spouse - You are the spouse of the worker if: – You and the worker were married at the time you filed for benefits. – You would have the status of a husband or a wife for that person’s personal property if they had no will. – You went through a marriage ceremony in good faith, which […]
- SS-5 - Application for a Social Security Card.
- SS-5 - Application for a Social Security Card.
- SS-5 FS - Application for a Social Security Card outside the United States.
- SS-5 FS - Application for a Social Security Card outside the United States.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - A federal supplemental income program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It helps aged, blind, and disabled people who have limited income and resources by providing monthly cash payments to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. For more information, see Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Survivors Benefits - Benefits based on your record (when you die) can be paid to your: Widow/widower age 60 or older, 50 or older if disabled, or any age if caring for your child who is under age 16, or who was disabled before age 22. Children, if they are unmarried and under age 18, under 19 but […]
w
- Widow - You are the widow/widower of the worker if, at the time he or she died: You and the worker were validly married. You would have the status of a husband or a wife for that person’s personal property if he or she had no will. You went through a marriage ceremony in good faith that […]