Soc. Security Notes

Soc. Security Notes

The Social Security program is changing rapidly. Disability benefits have been paid under the program since 1956. Benefits were first payable to disabled persons age 50 or over. This requirement was later removed and benefits are now payable to disabled workers regardless of age so long as the requirements are met. Mrs. Hazel F. Daly of the Winchester, Virginia Social Security Office in discussing the changes brought about by the 1965 Amendments emphasized that there were two important changes in the disability program. These changes, she said provide for the payment of disability bene fits to workers who-are temporarily (12 months or more) disabled, and also permits persons age 62-65 to apply for disability benefits even though they are already receiving a retirement benefit at a reduced rate. Provision was also made for a person to receive reduced benefits while a decision is being made on his disability claim. She further explained that it is possible, should a person become disabled, to switch over to disability benefits be tween age 62 and 65 even if he is already receiving reduced retirement benefits. He must meet the earnings requirement and this change should only be made if the disability benefit is larger than the retirement benefit. When a person changes from retire ment to disability benefits, Mrs. Daly continued, his disability benefits are reduced by the number of months he was paid retirement benefits before becoming entitled to disability benefits. If a person is disabled when he files for retirement benefits at age 62, he should inquire about the posibility of filing for disability benefits at the same time she emphasized. The reduced retirement benefits