By Vonda VanTil
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Serving wounded warriors and the survivors of our fallen heroes
It’s an American tradition to pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces each Memorial Day – especially honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.
If you are a military service member who needs to apply for disability benefits, it is important to know that you will receive expedited processing. Our wounded warriors’ initiative is for military service members who became disabled while on active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Depending on the situation, some family members of military personnel, including dependent children and, in some cases, spouses, may be able to receive benefits. Learn more about it at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.
Memorial Day also is a good time to remind families of fallen military heroes that we may be able to pay Social Security survivors benefits. If the person you depended on for income has passed away, you should apply for survivors benefits. Learn more about Social Security survivors benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/survivors.htm.
The men and women of the Armed Forces serve us each and every day. At Social Security, we’re here to serve them too.
Save mom $4,000 a year
By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
This Mother’s Day, you can show Mom how to save an estimated $4,000 a year on her Medicare prescription drug costs. Here’s how.
If your mother is covered by Medicare and has limited income and resources, she may be eligible for Extra Help – available through Social Security – to pay part of her monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year.
To figure out whether your mother is eligible, Social Security needs to know her income and the value of her savings, investments and real estate (other than the home she lives in). To qualify for the extra help, she must be receiving Medicare and have:
o Income limited to $16,335 for an individual or $22,065 for a married couple living together. Even if her annual income is higher, she still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. Some examples where income may be higher include if she and, if married, her husband:
-Support other family members who live with them;
-Have earnings from work; or
-Live in Alaska or Hawaii.
o Resources limited to $13,070 for an individual or $26,120 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count her house or car as resources.
Social Security has an easy-to-use online application that you can help complete for your mom. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp. To apply by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020).
To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).
Vonda VanTil is the public affairs specialist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at vonda.vantil@ssa.gov
This was printed in the May 6, 2012 - May 19, 2012 Edition
