Public Benefits Program

Fri, 03/12/2010 - 16:56 |

hss

Social Security Benefits

National Social Insurance Program for Seniors

Eligibility

- 65 years of age or older and retired

- Accumulated 40 credits during 10 years

Year of Birth	Full Retirement Age
1937 and earlier	65
1938	65 and 2 months
1939	65 and 4 months
1940	65 and 6 months
1941	65 and 8 months
1942	65 and 10 months
1943-1954	66
1955	66 and 2 months
1956	66 and 4 months
1958	66 and 6 months
1959	66 and 10 months
1960 and later	67

Early Retirement Benefits

· The earliest you can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits is age 62

· The amount of early retirement benefits received varies depending on year of birth, retirement year, and the age at which you decide to begin receiving benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance Program (SSDI)

Provides monthly cash benefits to those unable to work for a year or more because of a disability.

The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled.

The rules are as follows:

· Before age 24--You may qualify if you have 6 credits earned in the 3-year period ending when your disability starts.

· Age 24 to 31--You may qualify if you have credit for working half the time between age 21 and the time you become disabled. For example, if you become disabled at age 27, you would need credit for 3 years of work (12 credits) out of the past 6 years (between ages 21 and 27).

· Age 31 or older--In general, you need to have the number of work credits shown in the chart below. Unless you are blind, you must have earned at least 20 of the credits in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled.

Born after 1929, Became Disabled At Age:	Number of Credits You Need:
31 through 42	20
44	22
46	24
48	26
50	28
52	30
54	32
56	34
58	36
60	38
62 or older	40

certain members of the family may be eligible for survivors benefits.

- Up to ten years of work is needed to be eligible for benefits, depending on the person's age at the time of death.

Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:

Benefits usually continue until you are able to work again on a regular basis. There are also a number of special rules, called "work incentives," that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help you make the transition back to work.

Survivors Benefits
When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies,

A widow or widower -- full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60
A disabled widow or widower -- as early as age 50
A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits
Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children.
Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.
Dependent parents age 62 or older

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, and Survivors Benefits
1. Social Security Card (original)
2. Passport of other proof of identification
3. Certificate of citizenship or permanent residency card (original)
4. Tax return from the previous year (original or copy)
5. Bank account and routing number (can bring one personal check)
6. If applying for SSDI: Names, addresses and phone numbers of doctors, caseworkers, hospitals, and clinics that took care of you and the dates of your visits; Names and dosages of all the medications you are taking; Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers, that you already have in your possession; Laboratory and test results; A summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did
7. If applying for Survivors Benefits: death certificate

How to Apply

- 3 months before retirement
- Location: nearest Social Security Office; Korean American Community Services; or online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Provides cash to meet basic needs for low-income individuals who are aged, blind, and disabled

- Individual benefits: $674
- Couple benefits: $1,011

Eligibility

Illinois resident
U.S. citizen
Monthly income:
- 1 person: Maximum $623
- 2 people: Maximum $934

Household assets:
- Checking & Savings, C.D., stocks & bonds, life insurance, funeral deposits ($1,500 or more)
  - 1 person: Maximum $623
  - 2 people: Maximum $934

** House and vehicle are generally not included

Required documents

1. Social security card
2. Proof of identification
3. Proof of citizenship
4. Proof of monthly income
5. Past month’s bank statement
6. Electricity, gas, and telephone bills

How to apply

- At the nearest Social Security office

Medicare
Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, as well as those with disabilities, permanent kidney failure, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Part A: Hospital Insurance

Covers:

Inpatient care in hospitals (including critical access hospitals)
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
Long Term Care Hospital (LTCH)
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF)
Hospice care
Home health care
Beneficiary access to religious nonmedical health care institution (RNHCI) services
Inpatient Mental health/psychiatric care
Obesity Bariatric Surgery

Eligibility Requirements:

You are receiving Social Security or retirement benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board.
You are eligible to receive Social Security or retirement benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, but have not yet applied for these benefits.
You or your spouse worked for the government in a Medicare covered job.
You are the dependent parent of someone who worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid

The eligibility guidelines for individuals under age 65 include:

· You are receiving Social Security or benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board due to a disability for 24 months or more.

· You are going for dialysis treatments or need a kidney transplant

· You worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid and you meet the requirements of the Social Security disability program

· You are the child or widow(er) of someone who has worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid and you meet the requirements of the Social Security disability program

Personal Costs

Premium
- Most people get Part A automatically when they turn age 65. They don't have to pay a monthly payment called a premium for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working.

- You pay up to $461.00 each month if you don’t get premium-free.

- The Part A premium is $254.00 for those individuals having 30-39 quarters of Medicare covered employment.

Deductible
- $1,100.00 (Per Benefit Period)

Coinsurance
- $275.00 a day for the 61st - 90th day each benefit period.

- $550.00 a day for the 91st - 150th day for each lifetime reserve day (total of 60 lifetime reserve days - non-renewable).

- All costs for each day beyond 150 days.

Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance
- Up to $137.50 a day for the 21st - 100th day each benefit period.

Part B: Medical Insurance

Anyone who is eligible for Part A can enroll in Part B by paying a monthly premium. Some beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay a higher monthly Part B premium.

Personal Costs

Deductible

- 155.00 per year. (Note: You pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount for services after you meet the $155.00 deductible.)
** Most beneficiaries will continue to pay the same $96.40 premium amount they pay today.

Premium

- Most Medicare beneficiaries will continue to pay the same $96.40 Part B premium amount in 2010.
- For all others, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $110.50 in 2010, which is a 15% increase over the 2009 premium.

- 20% co-payment for various lab and medical fees

- 50% of psychiatric treatment

How to enroll

- If you are already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits or railroad retirement checks, you will be contacted a few months before you become eligible for Medicare and given the information you need.
- You will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B automatically; however, because you pay a premium for Part B, you have the option of turning it down.

If you are not already receiving retirement benefits:
- Initial enrollment period: 3 months before your 65^th birthday, the month you turn age 65, and three months after that birthday (7 month period overall)
- General enrollment period, Part B: January 1 through March 31

**Monthly premium increases 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible for, but did not enroll in, Medicare Part B
**If you are covered under an employer group health plan, you may delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without having to wait for a general enrollment period and paying the 10 percent premium surcharge

Services NOT covered by Medicare

Private duty nursing
A television or telephone in your room or personal care items like razors or slipper socks
A private room unless medically necessary
Custodial care, assisted living, adult daycare, or reimbursement for family members
The first three pints of blood unless the blood deductible has been met

Medicare Savings Programs

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB):

Medicare premium, deductible, and co-payment help
Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB):

Medicare Part B premiums ONLY
Qualified Individual (QI):

Expansion of SLMB; Medicare Part B premiums ONLY

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

§ If you have both Medicare and full Medicaid coverage, you can join a plan at any time.

§ If you're new to Medicare, you can join during the period that starts three months before the month you get Medicare, and ends three months after you get Medicare.

§ If you are eligible for a Medicare Advantage Plan you can join or switch Medicare Advantage Plans from January 1 to March 31 of every year, but you can join or drop Medicare prescription drug coverage during this time. For instance, if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription drug coverage, you could return to Original Medicare but you have to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan at the same time.

§ In all other cases, if you want to change plans you are generally limited to making changes between November 15 and December 31 each year.

§ In special circumstances, Medicare may give you an opportunity to switch to another plan. For example, if you permanently move out of your plan service area; if you qualify for extra help paying for prescription drugs; if the plan stops offering prescription drug coverage; or if you enter, live in, or leave a nursing home.

You can visit our office or go to www.medicare.gov to apply on-line.

Medicare Prescription Drug Extra Help

Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Some people with limited income and resources are eligible for Extra Help to pay for the costs monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. To qualify for Extra Help:

· You must reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.

· Your resources must be limited to $12,510 for an individual or $25,010 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count your house and car as resources; and

· Your annual income must be limited to $16,245 for an individual or $21,855 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help. Some examples where your income may be higher are if you or your spouse:

o Support other family members who live with you;

o Have earnings from work; or

o Live in Alaska or Hawaii.

Medicaid

You may qualify if you meet the following criteria.

You are age 65 or older, or blind or have a permanent disability, AND
You live in Illinois, AND
Your income and assets are below the program’s income and asset limits, AND
You are a U.S. citizen or you are an eligible qualified immigrant

Income Limits

You may qualify if your monthly income for your family is equal to or less than the amounts in the table below for your family size. Count yourself, your spouse and your minor children to find your family size:

Family Size	Monthly Income
1	$903
2	$1,214
3	$1,526
4	$1,838
For each additional person	Add $312

Asset Limits

If you are single, you may qualify if your countable assets are $2,000 or less. If you are married, your assets combined with your spouse’s assets must be equal to or less than $3,000.

The items listed below are exempt. That means we do not count them when deciding the value of your assets.

Your home
Your personal belongings and household goods of reasonable value
Certain resources up to a limit of $6,000 that you use to earn income.
One automobile if the fair market value is no more than $4,500 or if someone in your family needs it to get to work or uses it to get regular medical treatment
Life insurance policies with a total face value of $1,500 or less and all term life insurance policies
Certain funds set aside for burial expenses
Certain other assets that occur infrequently

Medicaid Spend-down Program

Some people who have too much income or too many resources like bank accounts and other assets for the Medicaid program can qualify for the Spenddown Program. If they have medical bills or receipts for recent payments they made for medical care they may qualify under spenddown to get a medical card to pay for some of their medical care.

Spenddown works a little like an insurance deductible. You pay for the cost of your medical care up to a set amount each month that is based on your income and resources. Once you can show bills or receipts for medical care, drugs or supplies that are equal to your monthly spenddown amount, you can get a medical card to pay for other medical care you need that month.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP—Food Stamps)

Eligibility

1. Resident of Illinois

2. U.S. citizen or permanent resident for at least 5 years

3. Gross income guidelines:

a. 1 person: $1,174 maximum

b. 2 people: $1,579 maximum

c. 3 people: $1,984 maximum

4. Household assets:

a. Count: checking & savings, C.D., stocks & bonds, life insurance, funeral deposit

b. $2,000 maximum

c. $3,000 maximum for age 60 years and older

d. Do not consider house or vehicle

Required documents

1. Rent receipt or lease

2. Gas, electricity, and phone bills

3. Proof of income for one month

4. Bank statement

5. Proof of citizenship/residency

6. Proof of identification

7. Birth certificate

8. Social security card for all members of the household

9. Proof of childcare expenses

10. Proof of medical expenses (60 years or older/SSI recipients)

How to apply

- Apply online at: http://fspp.dhs.state.il.us/register/wb/wbHomePre.do
- Visit Korean American Community Services

Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Provides one-time assistance with gas and electric bills
- Can apply once a year
- Runs from September 1 until May 31, or until funds are exhausted
- September 1 – November 1: priority for seniors and people with a disability
- After November 1: all income eligible households may apply
- Gross income guidelines (30 days)
                1. 1 person: $1,354 maximum
                2. 2 people: $1,821 maximum
                3. 3 people: $2,289 maximum

Required documents

1. Social security card for all household members
2. Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members over 18 years of age
3. If unemployed for less than 6 months, letter from Unemployment office stating that you applied for benefits (even if you were rejected)
4. Recent gas and electric bill (within 60 days)
5. If gas/electricity are included in the rent: CURRENT rent receipt that includes the following—name, address, landlord’s name and telephone number, rent amount, statement “utilities included in rent”; OR lease within one year that includes the previously stated information.

How to apply

Visit Korean American Community Services

Circuit Breaker
For low-income seniors and people with a disability

Tax Grants – If you pay property taxes or mobile home taxes on your home, or if you rent or live in a nursing, retirement, or shelter care home that was subject to property taxes, you may be able to receive a grant.
License Plate Discount – A $54 discount on your license plate fee.
People with Disabilities Ride Free – If you have a qualifying disability and meet the income eligibility requirements of the Circuit Breaker program, you may be eligible for free rides on all fixed-route regularly scheduled buses, trains and public transit systems.
Prescription Drug Assistance –

If you have Medicare, Illinois Cares Rx will help pay the costs that Medicare does not.

If you do NOT have Medicare, Illinois Cares Rx provides two benefits:
- Illinois Cares Rx BASIC
- Illinois Cares Rx PLUS

Eligibility requirements

1. 65 years of age or older OR have a disability
2. Illinois resident
3. Citizen or permanent resident

Program	Income Guidelines
Illinois Cares Rx Basic	1 person: $25,532 max 2 people: $33,877 max
Illinois Cares Rx Plus	1 person: $24,891 max 2 people: $33,487 max
Circuit Breaker: Property Tax, License Plate	1 person: $22,218 max 2 people: $29,480 max

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