Social Security

• Article - Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): A Beginner's Guide

  Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): A Beginner's Guide. Who's eligible for Medicare Part A and what hospital care is covered by Medicare Part A?

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - Social Security Benefits: Getting Carded?

  Social Security recipients will soon be able to get their monthly benefits loaded onto a pre-paid debit card. If your parents are getting their checks via direct deposit, they should probably stick with that system and not switch over to the debit cards because of the fees and hassles that come with the Direct Express debit card. But for people who wait for the postman to deliver their monthly check, the new debit card may be a better option.

• Blog Post - Easy Money

  If your parents earned $3,000 last year, they're entitled to this year's tax rebate. Even if your parents haven't filed taxes in years because they're retired, they should file this year to ensure they receive their rebate.

• Blog Post - Easy Money: It's Not Too Late!

  Although the April 15th tax deadline has come and gone, your parents may still be eligible for this year's rebate check -- even if they didn't file a return.

• Blog Post - Tax Rebate Update

  If your parents tax rebate hasn't arrived yet, they aren't alone. If their tax rebate is missing, check the IRS Web site for help.

• Blog Post - Should Family Members Who Provide Alzheimer's Care Be Paid?

  Paying family caregivers is controversial and has pitfalls to beware of if you go this route.

Questions & Answers

• Question - Does my mother have rights to her husband's Social Security?

  When one spouse is on Medicaid in a nursing home, does the other get Social Security benefits? The other spouse gets some Social Security benefits.

• Question - Am I eligible for disability?

  If you're under 65 and can't do substantial paid work, you may get Social Security disability, SSI and Medicaid, plus Medicare after two years.

• Question - How should my mother decide when to file for Social Security?

  Is it best to file for Social Security benefits early, at age 62, if a parent needs money or wait until 65 or 67 to file for Social Security benefits?

• Question - Does someone have to be 50 years old to get Medicare if they are receiving Social Security Disability?

  You are eligible for Medicare at any age if you have received Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months.

• Question - Can I qualify for social security disability benefits with a diagnosis of early onset dementia?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Why hasn't the age for signing up for Medicare changed to coincide with the eligibility date for drawing social security?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there any situation that allows you to obtain a income while on disability without losing your benefit that is accepted by the SSA?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Will the lump sum I'm about to inherit from my father's IRA accounts affect my disabliity and medicare benefits?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - With no assets and cash, how can I pay for my own final expenses?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What are the housing options for my parents who are filing bankruptcy?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Can I receive my retirement benefit at age 52 if I'm disabled?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What is maximum income a widow can make to receive her husband's Social Security?

  As a widow, can I collect my spouse's Social Security though I have an income? If you're at retirement age, you can collect his full Social Security.

• Question - Where can I find financial assistance for my copays and medications?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Where do the proceeds of a house sale go towards first?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Whose Social Security Number goes on an irrevocable trust?

  The IRS makes it surprisingly easy to complete the tasks necessary to set up a trust.

• Question - If a couple is separated but own a house jointly, does one filing bankruptcy affect the other's financial affairs?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Financial help when a parent leaves a nursing home to live with family?

  A low-income elder who leaves a nursing home to live with family may get help from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

• Question - Is my disabled sister eligible for Medicare parts A&B?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - I have an elderly brother (66) who is disable and receives...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Can I use my stepfather's Social Security check to pay for the things he needs while he's living with me?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What are my responsibilities if I hire a home health aide?

  What are my responsibilities when hiring a home health aide? I'm confused about payroll tax, Social Security tax and other benefits.

• Question - How much will Medicare cost me?

  How much will Medicare cost? Medicare part A probably won't cost you anything, whereas the cost of part B will be based on your income.

• Question - Is my mother eligible for further benefits other than social security?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What, if any, financial help can a person, at the age of 52, apply for when the SSDI, SSI, and Medicaid programs are unaccessable to a man who has been diagnosed as being disabled significantly?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Can my mother help pay for her grandchildren's education and still qualify for Medicaid?

  Will a parent risk Medicaid benefits by helping with grandchildren's education? It's essential to consider whether Medicaid will be lost this way.

• Question - Will my current wife still be able to collect survivor benefits after I die if my ex-wife holds a lien against my finances?

  It’s sometimes hard to predict the legal future without first seeing the fine print on the documents involved.

• Question - Are there any benefits available to retired law enforcement?

  Retirement benefits are usually available to former law enforcement officers through their agency's Public Employees Retirement System.

• Question - My mother is 58 and moving in with us. She is suffering...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My dad has has a stroke and shows signs of dementia, how can I get power of attorney over his affairs?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How do we deal with the expenses associated with the cost of burying my mother when her life insurance policy doesn't cover everything?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there any inexpensive insurance for the disabled?

  Medicare Part A and Part B, Medicaid, and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage may all be available to someone on permanent disability.

• Question - What kind of financial aid programs are available to full-time caregivers?

  Family caregivers can get paid to take of a parent by the Cash and Counseling or similar state program for low income seniors.

• Question - I want to care for both of my aging parents. Mother has...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can you help explain Medicare Part D?

  For a small monthly premium, a Medicare Part D plan can help pay prescription drug costs for someone on Medicare through long-term disability.

• Question - Where do I get financial help for my 88 year old mother?

  A senior with low income and assets can qualify for SSI benefits of $600 to $800 per month, Medicaid and a very low-cost prescription drug plan.

• Question - Recently, after one month in the hospital with end stage...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there any software available to help track and organize yearly costs for a guardian taking care of a parent?

  The biggest challenge in tracking guardianship expenses may be to focus on the categories to include.

News

• News - Seniors Avoid ER at Start of Month

  FRIDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- A new study finds...