By Tony Stutts
Social Security District Manager in Petersburg
Circumstances may change after one applies — or becomes eligible — for Social Security benefits. If a person, or one’s family member, receives Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), certain life changes could increase the benefit amount.
As part of the Potential Entitlement initiative, Social Security wants to help a person identify where one might qualify for a higher benefit. For example, a person may be entitled to higher benefits based on one’s own earnings record or someone else’s record. Some of the life changes that could possibly increase one’s benefits include the following scenarios:
- If one’s spouse or ex-spouse dies, one may be eligible for a higher survivor benefit based on their earnings record. The death of an ex-spouse may entitle one to a higher survivor benefit even if a person is already receiving a survivor benefit on another spouse’s record. A person is encouraged to read the publication, Survivors Benefits, for additional information at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10084.pdf.
- If a person is receiving Social Security benefits based on one’s spouse’s work and one has worked and earned credits, one may be eligible for a higher retirement benefit based on one’s own work. A person can view the retirement page at www.ssa.gov/retirement.
- If a person’s deceased adult child provided at least half of one’s support, one may be eligible for a higher parent’s benefit based on the child’s work history. The publication, Parent’s Benefits, includes information a person may want to consider at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10036.pdf.
Social Security continues to focus the Potential Entitlement initiative on people who face barriers. These populations include older people, children with disabilities, veterans, SSI recipients, and people with limited English proficiency. Since the initiative was started in 2017, Social Security’s efforts have resulted in approximately $553 million in retroactive and total monthly increased benefits paid.
Check out the Explore the Benefits You May Be Due page at www.ssa.gov/potentialentitlement for more information on any additional benefits available. A person can use one’s personal my Social Security account to check benefit and payment information – along with one’s earnings record. If a person doesn’t have a personal my Social Security account, one can create the account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
