SOCIAL SECURITY Q & amp; A

Q: I overheard a young woman on a bus telling someone that she gets widow's benefits from Social Security. She looked to be in her 40s. Don't you have to be 60 to get widow's benefits on your deceased husband's earnings record?
A: It is generally true that 60 is the earliest age we can pay what the law refers to as "aged widow's benefits." But we also can pay benefits to widows who are disabled as early as the age of 50. And a woman of any age can qualify for widow's benefits (the law actually calls them "mother's benefits") if she is caring for a child who is under age 16.
Q: I have been getting disability benefits for a couple years. But my last check was about $60 less than previous checks. Why was my benefit cut?
A: People on disability qualify for Medicare two years after their disability benefits start. You should check with your local Social Security office to make sure, but it is likely that the Part B Medicare premium is now being deducted from your Social Security benefit payments. You should have received a "Medicare Enrollment Package" in the mail informing you of this. The premium was $58.70 in 2003 and is $66.60 in 2004.
Q: My neighbor says she gets the Social Security supplement and was wondering why I did not get it. Am I eligible for the supplement?
A: There is no "Social Security supplement." But we do administer a program called "Supplemental Security Income." It is designed to supplement the income (any income, not just Social Security income) of people 65 and older or people with disabilities who have little income and few resources. Call us at (800) 772-1213 to find out if you are eligible.
Q: We recently began receiving our Social Security retirement benefits. But a neighbor said our daughter should be getting checks, too. She's 20 years old and a junior in college. Is she eligible for Social Security benefits?
A: We generally only pay benefits to minor children. Once they turn 18, they are usually no longer eligible. Benefits to children can continue to age 19 if they are still in high school -- or even into their adult years if they are disabled.
XThis column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For answers to specific Social Security questions, contact Social Security toll-free at (800) 772-1213.
Knight Ridder Tribune