Workers become eligible for Social Security coverage by working and having FICA tax withheld from their paychecks. They accumulate 1 credit for each quarter in which they earn a certain amount of wages.
However, when you stop working, you stop accumulating "quarters of coverage." A few years after you stop working, your coverage expires and it may be difficult to file a new claim because you no longer have insured status. It's equivalent to letting your homeowners insurance policy expire, then trying to file a new claim on it.
The moral of the story would be this: As soon as you feel you have a disability, file a claim immediately. If you're not working, the clock is ticking on your Social Security coverage eligibility. It will expire.
P.S. This does not apply to persons who are already receiving a Social Security disability benefit. Once benefits begin, the "date last insured" no longer applies and benefits will continue as long as you are disabled.
However, when you stop working, you stop accumulating "quarters of coverage." A few years after you stop working, your coverage expires and it may be difficult to file a new claim because you no longer have insured status. It's equivalent to letting your homeowners insurance policy expire, then trying to file a new claim on it.
The moral of the story would be this: As soon as you feel you have a disability, file a claim immediately. If you're not working, the clock is ticking on your Social Security coverage eligibility. It will expire.
P.S. This does not apply to persons who are already receiving a Social Security disability benefit. Once benefits begin, the "date last insured" no longer applies and benefits will continue as long as you are disabled.
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