Social Security

Under federal and California law, your Social Security benefits are highly protected from garnishment by most private creditors, both before and after they are deposited into your bank account. Here i...

In most cases, the funeral home you use will notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the death. However, the surviving spouse or the personal representative (executor) of the estate is ulti...

To prove your identity to the Social Security Administration (SSA) without primary ID, you must first use secondary documents to obtain a new, acceptable primary ID, such as a California ID card. You ...

If your Social Security payment is not deposited on time, you should first wait a few days for processing delays and then contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and your bank to trace the fu...

You can create a "my Social Security" account online through the Social Security Administration's (SSA) official website. The process is the same for all U.S. residents, including those in California....

In California, a surviving divorced spouse can claim Social Security survivor benefits based on their ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted 10 years or more and specific eligibility criteria are m...

To protect your SSI eligibility, your personal injury settlement funds must be placed directly into a specific, court-approved trust called a first-party Special Needs Trust. Here is how to structure ...

You can suspend your Social Security retirement benefits to earn delayed retirement credits by making a request directly to the federal Social Security Administration (SSA) after you have reached your...

To calculate your benefit reduction for claiming Social Security at age 62, you must determine your full retirement age and then apply a fixed percentage reduction. The exact reduction amount depends ...

To report a medical improvement for SSDI, you must promptly notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the change and provide them with updated medical information. Here are the specific steps...

You must submit your completed SSDI application to your local Social Security Administration (SSA) field office, not a central processing center. However, the SSA strongly recommends applying online o...

When you start receiving CalWORKs, your SSI benefit will be reduced because CalWORKs is considered unearned income by the Social Security Administration (SSA). You must report this new income promptly...

In California, Social Security income is not subject to state income tax, so you show this by subtracting any federally taxed benefits from your income on your state tax return. The California Franchi...

If you suspect fraudulent use of your Social Security number for employment in California, you must report it to federal, state, and local authorities. Key contacts include the Social Security Adminis...

To report rental income and protect your SSI, you must calculate your net rental income after expenses and report that figure to the Social Security Administration (SSA) every month. Here is how to do...

To claim Social Security survivor benefits for a minor child in California, the child's surviving parent or legal guardian must apply on their behalf to the Social Security Administration (SSA) with p...

The Ticket to Work program lets you test your ability to work for at least nine months while keeping your full disability benefits and protecting your disability status from medical review. You can us...

To maximize your monthly benefit amount, you should generally wait until age 70, but you should contact the Social Security Administration about four months before you want payments to begin. The idea...

A court-appointed conservator must apply separately to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to be designated as the "Representative Payee." The California court order alone is not sufficient to gr...

Receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is considered income for calculating California child support. However, any separate benefit payment your child receives directly from the Social Sec...

To request a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge for your California State Disability Insurance case, you must file a formal appeal with the Employment Development Department (EDD) within the leg...

To apply for the one-time Social Security lump-sum death payment, the eligible surviving spouse or child must contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) directly, as you cannot apply online for ...

As a Representative Payee in California, you have a federal duty to file an annual report with the Social Security Administration (SSA) detailing how you used the beneficiary's funds. California law r...

Your California public employee pension can reduce your Social Security retirement benefit if you earned that pension in a job where you did not pay Social Security taxes. This reduction is due to a f...

To report a marriage or divorce to the Social Security Administration (SSA) from California, you must obtain a certified copy of the legal document and submit it directly to the SSA, usually in person...

You can set up or change your Social Security direct deposit online, by phone, or in person with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The fastest and most secure method is using the SSA's officia...

To build a strong SSDI application, you need to collect all medical records that document your diagnosis, treatments, and, most importantly, how your condition limits your ability to work. Here are t...

California's Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) provides monthly cash benefits to certain aged, blind, or disabled legal immigrants who are ineligible for federal Supplemental Security Inco...

To transition from California SDI to federal SSDI, you must proactively file a separate application for SSDI, as the two systems do not automatically connect. The process can be lengthy, so it is crit...

You can obtain a Social Security benefit verification letter online through the SSA website, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. This official letter serves as proof of income fo...

To change your address with the Social Security Administration (SSA), you should promptly notify them online, by phone, or in person to ensure you continue to receive benefits and important notices wi...

A California workers' compensation settlement can reduce your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, but you can take specific steps to minimize or eliminate this reduction. The key is ...

You can use a California ABLE (CalABLE) account to save money above the $2,000 limit without losing your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The account allows you and others to contribute fu...

To become a Representative Payee, you must apply directly with the Social Security Administration (SSA), as this process is governed by federal rules, not California state court proceedings. The SSA w...

If you receive a Social Security overpayment notice, you must act quickly to appeal the decision, request a waiver, or arrange a repayment plan. Here are the steps to take: Step 1: Review the Notice ...

To correct an error on your Social Security earnings record, you must gather proof of your correct wages and submit a formal correction request to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Here are t...

In California, you can claim Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse's work record if you meet specific federal requirements. The process involves confirming your eligibility, gathering docum...

You must report your part-time work wages directly to the federal Social Security Administration (SSA) if you are receiving retirement benefits and are under your full retirement age. The SSA uses thi...

To maintain SSI/SSP eligibility, you generally must have countable assets under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Your countable income must be less than the maximum combined SSI/SSP be...

You can find free or low-cost legal assistance for your Social Security disability appeal through California's legal aid organizations, lawyer referral services, and programs for older adults. Here ar...

Under California law, your Social Security retirement benefits are treated as your separate property and are not divided in a divorce. Federal law prevents state courts from dividing these benefits as...

The procedure for applying for a child's SSI benefits involves filing an application with the federal Social Security Administration (SSA), which then works with a California state agency to determine...

Receiving SSI automatically qualifies you for Medi-Cal in California, while receiving SSDI makes you eligible to enroll, though you may need to apply separately. Here are the steps to ensure you are e...

The fastest method for most California residents to get a replacement Social Security card is by applying online through the Social Security Administration's (SSA) official website. This process is ge...

To appeal a Social-Security-Disability-denial-in-california, you must file a "Request for Reconsideration" with the Social Security Administration (SSA) within 60 days of the date on your denial lette...

To apply for spousal Social Security benefits, you will need to gather original documents that prove your identity, your spouse's work history, and the validity of your marriage under California law. ...

To apply for Social Security survivor benefits in California, you must gather required documents and submit an application to the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can typically begin the appl...

When you are approved for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in California, you are automatically enrolled in the State Supplementary Payment (SSP) program. There is no separate application re...

You must apply for California SDI first, and if your disability is long-term, you should also apply for federal SSDI. California's Employment Development Department (EDD) will require you to apply for...

You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits online through the Social Security Administration's (SSA) official website. The process is standardized across the United States, but there are Ca...