So Much Shareware 1/SoMuchSharewareV1_1991.iso/general/guide7-3.exe/LHARC6.EXE/SS.TUT

Text File | 1991-06-27 | 13.3 KB | 311 lines

#help.tut Extra help for tutorials
#define.stb On line glossary- definitions of legal terms
/* R FRINGE COMMENTARY- Here's the Official U.S.
Government Social Security Question and Answer database.*/

     SOCIAL SECURITY DATA BASE

Welcome.  Following is information on the benefit programs
available through Social Security, including information for tax
payers building protection under Social Security.

If you require additional information, contact your local Social
Security office.

SSA-133

     What You Can Expect When You
     Visit A Social Security Office

When you visit a local Social Security office you can expect the
people you deal with to treat you in a courteous and professional
manner.  They will help you when you decide to apply for benefits
and will help you get in touch with other agencies that may be
able to help you.  The people in the office will give you answers
to your questions about Social Security.  And they will keep in
confidence the information that you provide.

     If you visit an office to apply for benefits or to get an
estimate of benefits, they will ask you for certain information
about your previous work or your spouse's previous work.  They
may also ask you for certain proofs of your identity or
citizenship.  You should have these available when you go. Other
sections of this data base list the specific proofs and other
information you might need.

     If you have to contact us, try the telephone first.  Most of
your business can be handled by phone.  If you want to visit in
person, you are welcome.  The best time to visit is during the
last half of the month.  But if your business is urgent, you
should contact us anytime.


Following is information on the benefit programs available
through Social Security, including information for tax payers
building protection under Social Security.
     If you require additional information, contact your local
Social Security office.


     Explanation of How To Apply

To apply for a Social Security number you need to fill out a
form called "Application For A Social Security Number", form
SSA-5.  You can do this at any Social Security office.  When you
apply you will also have to furnish evidence of your date of
birth, identity, and U.S. citizenship or lawful admission
status.

You must apply in person if you are 18 or older and have never
had a Social Security number.  You must also apply in person if
you are a citizen of another country whose immigration documents
should not be mailed.

     If you are applying for a Social Security number for your child
or a child for whom you are the legal guardian or legal
custodian, you must furnish evidence of your identity in addition
to evidence of the child's age, identity, and citizenship.

     If you are applying for a replacement card or if you are
changing your name or other information on your record, you must
provide evidence to establish your identity.  If you are a
naturalized citizen or legal immigrant, you must also provide
evidence of your current U.S.  citizenship or immigrant status.
This also applies to you if you were once a U.S. citizen but no
longer are.  For a change of name request, the evidence you bring
should show both your old name and your new name.

     Any documents you provide are subject to verification with
the agency that issued them.  Please do not submit uncertified
photocopies of documents.  We must see either the original
document or a copy certified by the agency which issued it.  We
will return any document you send to us.  If you need help in
obtaining any evidence, contact any Social Security office.

     It usually takes about 2 weeks to get your Social Security card
and number after we receive your application and all the
necessary evidence.


     Evidence You Need If
     Born In America

     Evidence Of Age And
     Citizenship

A variety of documents can be submitted as evidence of your date
of birth, identity, and citizenship.  Following are documents
that can be used as evidence of age and citizenship: - Public
record of birth established before age 5 is preferred, should be
submitted if possible; - Religious record of birth or baptism
established before age 5; - Hospital record of birth established
before age 5.

If these records do not exist, please submit one or more of the
documents listed under "Evidence Of Identity".  At least one
document must show your name, age or date of birth, and place of
birth.  It should be at least one year old.


     Evidence Of Identity

Following are acceptable evidence of identity documents. Please
submit one or  more of them. - Driver's license - State identity
card - Voter's registration -School record - School
identification card - School report card - Marriage record -
Divorce decree - Work badge or building pass - Labor union or
fraternal organization record - Draft card or military ID -
Military discharge papers - Military dependent's ID - U.S.
passport - U.S.  citizen's ID card - Newspaper birth announcement
- Adoption record - Court order for name change - Church
membership or confirmation record - Welfare case record - Doctor,
clinic, or hospital record - Vaccination certificate - Insurance
policy - Day care or nursery school record - Child's membership
in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or other youth organizations - Any
other document providing identifying data sufficient to establish
proper identification.


     APPLYING FOR A SOCIAL
     SECURITY NUMBER

     Evidence You Need If Born
     Outside America

If you were born outside the United States and are now a U.S.
citizen, you should submit either: 1.  U.S.  consular report of
birth and evidence of your identity.  - OR - 2.  Your foreign
birth certificate, if available, and one of the following; a.
U.S.citizen ID card b.  Certificate of citizenship c.  U.S.
military discharge papers showing U.S.  citizenship d.  U.S.
passport e. Naturalization certificate


     Evidence You Need If Not An
     American Citizen

If you are not a U.S.  citizen but are living in or visiting the
U.S.  and you want to apply for a Social Security number, you
should bring in your foreign birth certificate, if available, and
one of the following; - Alien registration card I-151 orI-551 -
U.S.  Immigration Form I-201D, I-94, I-95, I-185, I-186, or
I-586 (and I-444 if applicable). Do not mail these documents;
bring them to the Social Security office.

The Social Security Administration can assign you a Social
Security number to use for work only if you have been permanently
admitted to the U.S. for residence or are otherwise authorized
to work by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

     If you are lawfully admitted but are not permitted to work and
you apply for a Social Security number for a valid reason other
than work, the Social Security Administration will issue you a
number.  But the card will show that the number is not valid for
employment.  The Social Security Administration will also mark
your Social Security record and if you ever use your number in a
job, we will notify INS.  In addition, any information obtained
in connection with this application can be given to INS.


********************************
     HOW AND WHEN TO CONTACT SOCIAL
     SECURITY
********************************


     Social Security Offices

The Social Security Administration has over 1,300 offices
conveniently located throughout the country. Representatives of
these offices also make regular stops in the neighboring
communities.  To find your nearest Social Security Office
just look in the white pages of the phone book under Social
Security.


     When You Should Contact Us

Before you or your family can get any Social Security checks, you
must apply for them.  Get in touch with any Social Security
office if:  -You're unable to work because of an illness or
injury that is expected to last a year or longer. -You're 62 or
older and plan to retire. -You're within three months of 65 even
if you don't plan to retire.  -Someone in your family dies.
-You, your wife or husband or your dependent children suffer
permanent kidney failure.

It's important for you to call, visit, or write any Social
Security Office before you reach 65, not only about retirement
checks, but also about Medicare, which is available whether or
not you retire.  You may find it easier to conduct your business
with Social Security by telephone.  Look in your telephone
directory under "Social Security Administration" for the number
of the nearest office.

If you call Social Security, a supervisor may listen in on your
phone call. We do this to help improve our service to the public.
You can, of course, ask that we not do this.

     Your Social Security Card

You need a Social Security number if your work is covered by
Social Security or if you have certain kinds of taxable income.
Your Social Security number is also used for Federal income
tax purposes.

People should apply for their card at least two weeks before
they need it. You will need evidence of your age, identity, U.S.
citizenship or immigrant status when you apply.

Show your card to your employer when you start work.  Upon
request, show it to anyone who pays you income that has to
be reported.

You can apply for a Social Security card at any Social Security
office. If you are age 18 or older and never had a Social
Security number card, you must apply in person. Otherwise, you
can apply by mail or telephone.

The number on your card is used to keep a record of your
earnings. You need just one Social Security number during your
lifetime. Notify any Social Security office if you ever get more
than one number.

If you lose your Social Security card, contact a Social Security
Office to apply for a duplicate of the card you lost. You should
also contact Social Security if you change your name to apply
for a new card showing your new name. You must have evidence of
your identity when you apply for a duplicate or corrected card.
If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen or legal immigrant, you
must also provide evidence of your current U.S. citizenship or
immigrant status. This also applies to you if you were once a
U.S. citizen but no longer are. If you are changing your name,
the evidence must identify you under both your old and new
name.

Your employer is required to give you a statement of the Social
Security taxes deducted from your pay. This is done at the end
of each year. These records, such as form W-2, will help you
check on your Social Security record.

It's a good idea to check your record every three years to make
sure that earnings are being correctly reported to your record.
You can get a free postcard form at any Social Security Office
for this purpose.


     When You Apply For Social
     Security Benefits

If you plan to retire before you reach 65, it is important to
apply for monthly benefits no later than the month you want
benefits to begin. Generally, benefits payable for months before
age 65 can begin no earlier than the month you apply. This also
applies to widows and widowers who will receive benefits
before 65. However, widows and widowers can apply in the month
after the worker's death and still get a benefit for the month of
death.

Generally, benefits can be paid only for months the person is
eligible throughout the entire month.

In general, if you apply for benefits after you reach 65, back
payments can be made for up to six months before the month you
apply for retirement or survivor benefits.

You can apply, however, up to three months before the month you
want benefits to start. This will help assure that you get your
first payment on time.

When you apply for Social Security benefits, you should have with
you:
- Your own Social Security card or a record of your number. If
your claim is on another person's record, you'll need that
person's card or a record of the number.

- Proof of your age:  a birth certificate or a baptismal
certificate made at or shortly after birth if you have one.
- Your marriage certificate if you're applying for wife's,
widow's or widower's benefits.

- Your children's birth certificates if you're applying for them.

- Your form W-2 for the last two years or a copy of your last two
Federal income tax returns if you're self-employed. This is
important because these earnings will not be included in our
records and cannot be included when we figure your benefit unless
you provide them. Without this information, it could be as long
as 24 months before our records show your latest earnings and we
can refigure your benefit rate to include them. If you're
applying for benefits as a dependent parent of a deceased son or
daughter or as a dependent grandchild, you'll need proof that you
were being supported by the worker. Generally, this proof must be
supplied within two years after the worker dies or applies for
cash benefits.

An application for the lump-sum death benefit must usually be
made within two years after the worker's death.

Don't delay applying because you don't have all these proofs. The
people in the Social Security office will tell you about other
proofs that can be used when you apply.