There are many incentives to help you, if you are disabled and wish to work. Depending on how much you earn, you may be able to get disability benefits for a certain period, in addition to your paycheck.

If you receive social security spouse's or widow's benefits, and also get income from a government pension, this may reduce the amount of your social security payment.

There are several factors to consider when filing for social security retirement benefits, especially if you may qualify on either your work record, or your spouse's.

Medical evidence by itself may be sufficient to prove eligibility for disability. The social security administration provides a listing of impairments which inventories examples of common impairments that are believed to be sizable enough to prevent you from be engaged in substantial gainful activity.

Continuation of Medicare is another of the work incentives; it applies to those who are disabled and continue to work. During your trial work period, you can still receive social security disability payments, in addition to your paycheck.

At age 65, most people are eligible for Medicare hospital insurance; this is also known as 'part a' Medicare. It helps pay expenses like hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice, and home health care.

If you have served in the military any time after 1957, whether on active duty or inactive duty for training, you have paid into social security. If you were in the military before 1957, you did not pay into social security directly; however, you still may be able to get credits toward certain social security benefits.

It's important to make sure the social security office is aware of any name changes, so that you'll get proper credit for all your earnings. Some common examples of name changes are when you get married or divorced.

For most types of social security benefits, you must first file a claim; then, the social security office will notify you of the results by mail. The notification process usually takes longer for disability claims, where it may run from 60 to 90 days.

There are three ways a child is eligible for social security benefits. Supplemental security benefits are paid to disabled children younger than eighteen whose income is limited or come from homes with low income and resources.

If you run a business with your spouse, you need to take special steps, to ensure that you receive social security credit for your work. Usually, when you both own and operate the business, and expect to share in the profits or losses, you may qualify for social security credits as a partner.

When your spouse earns Medicare coverage, you will also be entitled to Medicare hospital insurance, when you turn 65. You can receive hospital insurance at age 65, even if your spouse is younger than you and continues working, as long as he or she is at least 62, and will qualify for benefits upon retirement.

In certain situations, you may be able to get Medicare part a hospital insurance before you turn 65. For example, if you have received social security disability benefits for at least 24 months; or, if you worked enough years in a local, state or federal government job, and are also disabled.

There is a waiting period before you can receive your first disability check; so you'll want to apply for benefits as soon as you become disabled. Assuming you qualify, your benefits will not start until the sixth full month of disability.

If you've worked long enough under social security, you will likely qualify for retirement benefits at age 65, or reduced benefits as early as 62. In the next century, the age at which you may draw full benefits will slowly rise, from the current 65, to age 67 in the year 2027.

When your spouse dies, you and your dependent children may be eligible for monthly survivor's benefits from social security. In some cases, you may also receive a small, one-time payment.

If you are receiving social security or S-S-I disability benefits, your case will be reviewed every so often, to determine if you are still disabled. This is usually called a 'cdr,' or continuing disability review.