Receiving Social Security Benefits
People can receive Social Security benefits when they retire or for a disability leaving them unable to work. In order to receive Social Security benefits for retirement or a disability, you must fill out an application for Social Security benefits with your local Social Security office. If you are eligible for these benefits under Social Security laws, you will begin receiving monthly payments of retirement or disability benefits. The amount of benefits you will receive will be based upon specific qualifications such as the amount of time you have worked, (or your earned work credits), and the amount of money you earned while working. You will typically continue to receive this amount unless circumstances surrounding your retirement or disability change.
Spouses or children of a deceased beneficiary may also receive social security benefits if they are eligible. Social security benefits are paid to a beneficiary or the beneficiary’s family based on the beneficiary’s employment record and contributions to the system.
Social Security compensation is generally based on a person’s work record and is not based on financial need. Financial need is only a requirement for individuals applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).