Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 5 October 2000 — Page 26

The Muncie Times, October 5, 2000, page 26

SOCIAL SECURITY

Some Medicare beneficiaries may be due $546 annual refunds

By James Warmer Social Security Manager in Muncie Are you struggling to pay your bills? If so, then you may be one of millions of people who can save $546 or more a year in Medicare expenses. There are programs that put $546 back in your pocket each year and may also help pay Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. In fact, each year possibly more than half of the people who can get this benefit never even apply. If you answer “yes” to all three of the following questions, then you may qualify for the program that helps pay medical expenses. Do you have Medicare Part A, also known as hospital insurance? (If you are not sure you have it, look on your Medicare Insurance card, or call Social Security toll free at 1-800-772-1213. If you are eligible for Medicare Part A, but do not have it because you cannot afford it, you should continue with the next question because there is a program that may pay the Medicare Part A premium for you.) Are you an individual with a monthly income less than $960 or a couple with a monthly income of less than $1,286? (If your monthly income is higher than this, but less than $1,238 for an individual or $1,661 for a couple, you should continue. You still may be eligible for limited help.) Are you an individual with savings of $4,000 or less or a couple with savings of $6,000 or less?

When you are figuring out your savings, include things such as money in a checking or savings account and stocks and bonds. Do not include your home, your car, furniture, burial plots, up to $1,500 in burial expenses or up to $1,500 worth of life insurance. If you think you might be eligible for this benefit, you should go to your local Department of Social Services. The phone number is in the blue government section of your local phone book. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Someone there can help you find the right place to go. When you call, ask about the Medicare Savings for Qualified Beneficiaries’ program. ★★★★ Questions and Answers Q. If I die, would my survivors receive Social Security benefits on my record? How much could they get? A. Your survivors would receive a percentage of your basic Social Security benefit— usually in a range from 75 to 100 percent each. However, there is a limit to the amount of monthly Social Security benefits that can be paid to a family. The limit varies, but it is generally equal to about 150 to 180 percent of your (the worker’s) benefit rate. If the sum of the benefits payable to your family members is greater than this limit, the benefits to your family will be reduced proportionately to fall within the family maximum To get an estimate of your retirement, disability or survivors benefits,

you can visit the website at www.ssa.gov or call our tollfree number, 1-800-772-1213, and request a Social Security Statement. Q. I recently received a flier in the mail about insurance. It stated that all you get when your spouse dies is a lumpsum death payment of $255. Is this true? Are my husband and myself paying 7.65 percent in Social Security taxes for this small sum of money? A. While it’s true that Social Security has a lump-sum death payment of $255, Social Security provides much more to the survivors of a deceased worker—protection equivalent to a $354,000 insurance policy for an average family. And the Social Security disability program for an average family is equivalent to a private disability insurance policy worth over $233,000. And, of course, Social Security provides retirement benefits which last as long as you live and increase each year with increases in the cost of living. For a free estimate of the benefits you may be eligible for, contact Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, and ask for a Social Security Statement. Disability: Q. Where can I get a list of disabling impairments for Social Security disability? A. Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, SSA Pub. No. 64-039, contains the medical criteria that Social Security uses to determine disability. It is intended primarily for physicians and other health professionals. This 205-page

book can be obtained free of charge by visiting our website at www.ssa.gov or faxing a request to our fax number: (410)965-0696. You can also write or call: Social Security Administration, Public Information Distribution Center P. O. Box 17743, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, (410) 9650945. Q. I receive Social Security benefits. I know that my case will be reviewed to make sure I’m still disabled. How often can I expect to be reviewed? A. Your first review can be anytime from 6 months to 7 years after the day you became disabled, depending on the nature and severity of your condition and whether your condition is expected to improve. Q. I have multiple sclerosis. I applied for Social Security disability benefits about 5 years ago and was denied benefits because I was able to work. My condition has deteriorated. Can I reapply for disability benefits? A. Yes, you may reapply for benefits. Many times a person’s condition changes and the change may mean the person now qualifies for benefits. For more information about disability benefits, check out our website, www.ssa.gov, or call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, and ask about reapply for Social Security disability benefits. The representative will be glad to help you. Direct Deposit: Q. After I sign up for direct deposit, do I have to stay with the same bank? A. No, you can directly deposit your Social Security benefits to

any federally-insured bank, savings and loan or credit union. If you move your account, call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, and a Social Security representative will change your direct deposit information. Open the new account and make sure your benefits are going to the new bank, savings and loan or credit union before you close the old account. Communications With Social Security: Q. How do I find the address and phone number of a local Social Security office? A. You can get the address and telephone number of the field office in your area by visiting our web site, www.ssa.gov, or by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. Our representative will be glad to help you. Q. How do I find Social Security forms online? A. Social Security has many important forms for downloading. Go to www.ssa.gov for a current listing of available forms. Q. Can I apply for Social Security benefits on the Internet? A. Not yet, but hopefully later this year Social Security’s web site, www.ssa.gov, will be able to offer this service. Currently, you can obtain information about all of Social Security’s programs from our web site. While you’re there, subscribe to e-news. Receiving this electronic newsletter means that you’ll be the first to know when Social Security news becomes available online.