Q: I have been doing heavy construction work for all of my life. But recurring back problems have

Q: I have been doing heavy construction work for all of my life. But recurring back problems have become so bad that I cannot do this job any longer. Can I apply for Social Security disability benefits?
A: Yes. While you can apply for benefits, you also should know that under Social Security, your disability must be so severe that it prevents you from doing any kind of work for which you are qualified. So if there is other work that you can do, your claim might not be approved.
Q: My 87-year-old father is very ill and is not expected to live much longer. Will my 85-year-old mother have to apply for widow's benefits after his death? Or is that process done automatically?
A: When your father passes away, your mother should notify Social Security. She can do so by calling (800) 772-1213. If your mother is receiving spouse's benefits based on your father's work record, and if they were living at the same address, we should be able to switch her to widow's benefits automatically, and also pay the death benefit. Otherwise, she may have to complete a few forms before she could receive benefits.
Q: I often hear people talk about working until they qualify for early retirement at age 62, or working until they reach their full retirement age. But I was planning to work until I am 63. Can I apply for Social Security retirement benefits then?
A: You can apply for Social Security benefits at anytime after age 62. If you wait until your full retirement age, you will get full benefits. Before that time, benefits would be reduced by about one-half of one percent for each month.
Q: My daughter is 19 years old. In her senior year of high school, she had a sporting accident that partially paralyzed her. It doesn't look as if she will be able to work in the near future. Because she did not work long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits, would any other program help her?
A: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program paid for by general revenue taxes and administered by Social Security. It can help individuals who are disabled and who have not paid enough in Social Security taxes to qualify for regular Social Security disability insurance benefits. To qualify for the SSI program, a person must be disabled, and have limited resources and income.
Q: I will turn age 62 early next year and plan to retire. I will not make more than $11,640, so I think I should be due all of my Social Security benefits. However, I also will get about $12,000 in severance pay from my employer when I retire. Will this severance pay affect my Social Security benefits?
A: No. The severance payment will not count toward the 2005 earnings limit for Social Security. (That limit will probably be slightly higher than the 2004 limit of $11,640.) Because you earned that severance payment in prior years, we cannot count it as earnings in 2005 nor can we use it to reduce your Social Security retirement benefits.
Q: I have a neighbor who gets Social Security disability benefits, yet he often works for his brother doing landscaping. Is this illegal? And what can I do about this?
A: There are circumstances in which a person can do some work and still receive Social Security disability benefits. But if you suspect that your neighbor is doing something that Social Security should be made aware of, you can call our fraud hotline at (800) 269-0271.
XThis column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For fast answers to specific Social Security questions, contact Social Security toll-free at (800) 772-1213.
Knight Ridder Tribune