Herald & Lantern 2 November '83

Social Security

23

Early Application Before Age of 65

Persons who are planning to retire before age 65 should apply for their monthly Social Security benefits no later than the last day of the month they want benefits to begin, a Social Security spokesperson said recently. Generally, benefits payable for months before age 65 can begin no earlier than the month of application. This limitation also applies to widows and widowers who will receive benefits before their 65th birthday. “HOWEVER.” the representative said, “a person who appies for benefits after age 65 can receive benefit payments for up to six months before

the month of application Those who want to make certain that their benefit payments will begin on time may apply as early as three months before they want benefits to start.” Benefits can be paid only for months a person meets the eligibility requirements throughut the entire month. TO FACILITATE the processing of their applications for Social Security benefits, applicants should bring to the Social Security office their Social Security card; proof of age; a marriage certificate for those applying for wife’s, widow’s or widower's benefits; children’s birth certifictes, where ap-

New Program Lets Seniors Stay Home

TRENTON - Senior citizens and the disabled have the right to remain in their own homes and still receive medical and social care. Sometimes in our society we are too quick to send these people to institutions. A new three-year program has been initiated this month that will allow the elderly and disabled to receive home health care. New Jersey is one of the first states in the nation to initiate this kind of program. The program will be funded through $21 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and $8 million in state casino tax revenues. IN OUR AREA, 1,200 people will be able to take advantage of this program.

Medicaid will pay for the variety of services provided under the home health care program in a 50-50 arrangement with state and federal governments. Medicaid income limits for home-based care will be waived under revised eligibility standards. The waiver allows people, who would not have been eligible for Medicaid if their monthly income exceeded $931, to participate in the new program. In many cases, elderly and disabled people do not need full institutional care and would be happier to stay in their own communities with their family and friends. This new program is more personal and a far more humane alternative to institutionalization.

Retirement Age Will Go Up To 67

To help ensure the longrange stability of the Social Security system, one provision of the recent Social Security' amendments gradually raises the age at which unreduced retirement benefits are payable from the present level of 65 to 67 by the year 2027, a Social Security representative said recently. y <3 ^V<VV<3^ ["minra post! J. I h DON’T GET r CAUGHT \ IN THE COLDI

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The retirement age will be increased in steps for people reaching 62 in 2000-2005, reaching 66 for people reaching age 62 in the period 2005 through 2016. Then, starting in 2017, the retirement age will again be increased in steps for people reaching 62 in 2017-2022, reaching 67 for people attaining age 62 in 2022 and after. WHEN THE new law is fully phased in, a person could receive benefits at 62, as now, but the benefit rate will be lower than the rate payable at 62 under present law. Now a person retiring at 62 gets 80 percent of the amount payable at 65. When the increase in the retirement age becomes fully effective, a worker retiring at age 62 will get a benefit equal to 70 percent of the age 67 benefit. The increases will affect workers born after 1937. Medicare will continue to be available to workers at 65 as it is now. A free leaflet, Social Security Strengthened, describes all Jhe changes made in '

plicable; and records of their earnings during the preceding two years. In addition, persons applying for disability benefits should have the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the doctors who treated them and the medical facilities where they were treated for their disabilities. “People who do not have all these documents should

not delay applying for benefits. It is possible that other records could serve the same purpose. Applicants can learn what other documents may be submitted by contacting their local Social Security office.” The address and telephone number of the nearest Social Security office can be found in the telephone directory.

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