When social security used to send letters out, they said that my income work credits were 36.
Then when my Mom passed away in 2017, and left me assets...my SSI was terminated. I didn't ask right away for my benefits to be "reinstated" because I still had enough money (but still over the asset limit for SSI).
Then, after I hurt my leg in an accident, I tried to get my benefits reinstated. But they said I waited too long, and I has to really all over again.
Now, they say that I only have 31 credits, and I won't qualify for retirement, or medicare.
I had to reapply all over again, using the benefit rules for my current age. For some reason, I couldn't qualify for SSDI even though I should have had enough credits.
Could you please tell me why they did this.
Btw...I had to pay Soc Sec back over $1400, even though I reported changes in my assets (income) right away.
Hi. If a person is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments and if they accumulate more than the $2000 limit in countable assets, their SSI payments are initially suspended. While in suspense, the person's SSI payments can be reinstated without requiring a new application if they again meet the requirements for benefits.
However, after a person's benefits have been in suspense for 12 months their SSI eligibility is terminated. Once that happens, the only way that the person can reestablish eligibility for SSI payments is by filing a new application. And, if the person's SSI eligibility is based on disability rather than age, a new medical determination is required to prove that they meet the disability requirements.
Regarding Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, there are 2 separate insured status requirements that must be met (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html). First, a person must be fully insured, meaning that they must have a total of at least the number of quarters of coverage (QC) required for fully insured status. If a person becomes disabled at age 62 or older then they need at least 40 QCs to be fully insured, which is the same amount required for Social Security retirement benefit insured status.
However, fewer QCs are required to meet the fully insured status requirement for people who become disabled prior to age 62. The minimum number of QC's required for people who become disabled before age 62 is basically 1 QC for each year from the year that the person turned age 22 until the year they become disabled. For example, if a person turned age 22 in 1990 and becomes disabled at age 52 in 2020, a minimum of 30 QCs would be required to meet the fully insured status requirement for SSDI.
The second insured status requirement is more of a currently insured requirement. To meet that requirement, a person who is at least age 31 must have earned a minimum of 20 QCs within the 40 calendar quarter period leading up to when they became disabled. Basically, that means they must have worked and paid into Social Security for the equivalent of at least 5 years during the 10 year period leading up to when they became disabled.
I can't explain why Social Security told you at one point that you had 36 QCs but now have 31 QCs, nor do I have enough information to be able to tell you whether or not you meet the SSDI insured status requirement. All I can suggest is that you review your Social Security earnings history to make sure that you've been credited with all of the Social Security covered work that you did in the past. And, if you think that you might meet the insured status requirement for SSDI benefits you can apply for those benefits.
As for Medicare, all U.S. citizens can enroll in Medicare at age 65 regardless of whether or not they have enough QCs to be insured. The premium amount required for Part B of Medicare is the same for uninsured people as it is for insured individuals. However, insured individuals can get Part A of Medicare without paying a premium, whereas uninsured individuals must pay a monthly premium if they want Part A coverage. There is a standard Part A premium rate that changes from year to year, but the premium rate is lower for people who have at least 30 QCs (https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-a-costs).
Best, Jerry
