Just like United States citizens, green card holders or permanent residents need to earn forty work credits, or the equivalent of ten years of work, to be eligible for Social Security benefits (retirement and disability). You can earn up to four work credits per year, and each credit equals $1,410…
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Although many people assume that Social Security benefits (retirement or disability) can only be collected by United States citizens, the truth is more nuanced. In this article, we discuss under what circumstances non-citizens are entitled to Social Security benefits, including foreign spouses of American ex-patriots. United States citizenship is not…
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In the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provided for advance designation. Advance designation allows beneficiaries of and claimants for Social Security benefits (disability or retirement) the option to provide SSA with one or more names of individuals who can serve as…
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Inarguably, strides in public health have improved the quality of life across the globe. Improved sanitation, vaccinations, and better traffic safety are just some of the ways a focus on public health has made a difference in developing and established countries alike. Seeing public health strictly in terms of physical…
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If you are currently receiving Social Security disability or retirement benefits, you may wonder whether you can continue to receive them should you become incarcerated. As with so many things, the short answer is: it depends. Generally speaking, you cannot receive Social Security benefits while you are in jail, but…
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A vocational expert (VE) is a witness called by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to testify at disability appeal hearings. Although they are not present at every hearing, VEs appear at a fair number of them. In general, their purpose is to give an opinion about what jobs you can…
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After an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has determined that you are disabled, you will receive a letter from Social Security Administration (SSA) called a Notice of Award. In the award letter, SSA will tell you whether its decision is fully favorable or partially favorable. The letter will also explain the…
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Previously, we discussed emotional behavioral disorder (EBD) and what kinds of disorders qualify as EBD as well as what their symptoms are. Autism and EBD are not the same, but they are easily confused because students who suffer from EBD and autism are frequently placed in the same classes in…
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If you are thinking of or are in the process of applying for disability benefits through Social Security, you might be wondering if your employer will be notified. Although the answer is “probably not,” there are specific circumstances that warrant the SSA contacting your former employer. Social Security Administration Checklist…
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Social Security benefits, whether they are retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, are no longer provided via paper checks; therefore, you have the option of receiving your benefits through direct deposit or prepaid debit card. Green Dot is an American bank holding,…
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