The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-04-16
SOCIAL SECURITY
Procedures For Filing OF Old-Age
Benefits Claims Under Act


Procedures for filing of claims for
the payment of lump sums under the
Federal old-age benefits plan of the
Social Security Act. SURPRISING in
simplicity any others for similar use
yet advised either for government or
private business purposes, were out
lined by G. r. Parker, Regional Di-
rector, Region Nv.
Moreover, Mr.. Parker declared that
when the claims procedures are in
full operation the adjudication of
properly completed claims can be ac-
complished with unusual dispatch
following their receipt in the Wash
ington office of the Board. CLAIMS
already filed range from a few dol
lars each to $105.
A simple form has been devised by
the Social Security Board for the use
of each of the five different types of
claimants. Separate forms are pro-
vided for: CD wage earners, (2)
widows or widowers, (3) other close
relatives, CD executors or admins
traitors, and 60 guardians or COM
mittees. They ask minimum of
from two to a maximum of IL ques-
lions.
A sixth form, known as "State-
ment of Employer" is a simple re-
port by the employer giving only the
total amount of wages paid the en-
ployee and the employment period.
| Mr.. Parker said forms are obtain
able, and that assistance in executing
them is available, at any one of its
| ~ regional offices and Ill field Of
fees now open at strategic points
throughout the United States. Forms
also may be obtained at the Board s
office in Washington, D. c. AS the
claims load increases, the Board
stated new field offices will be open
ed as the work necessitates.
Field offices of the Board will con-
tact prospective claimants when it
is indicated they may be eligible for
benefit and explain and help claim
ants to execute the necessary forms.
Pointing to the simplicity of the
claims forms, Mr.. Parker declared
this makes unnecessary the employ
ment of attorneys or claims agents to
assist claiments. Even notary fee
will not be necessary, Mr.. Parker
said, on claims of 500 or less. 4
The lump-sum payment provisions
of the Federal old-age benefits plan
became effective January /. Mon
thly benefits do not become opera
tive until 1912. Persons eligible
for lump-sum payments are those in
covered employments after 1886 who
at age 65 either fail to have total
wages of $4,000 or fail to meet the
time requirements, or both. To quail
| fly for a monthly benefit a wage
Garner must be IS years old, his
total wages from covered employ
ments after 1896 must be $4,000 or
more, and he must have earned wages
after 1886 in covered employment
for at least one day in each of five
different calendar years.
Lump-sum payments now payable
amount to three and one-half percent
of the total wages earned by the in
dividual in covered employments af-
ter 1886.
If a wage Garner files claim, the
form for wage Garner" is to be used.
If the wage Garner dies before at
tanning age IS, or before filing
claim on the wage Garner" form,
and does not leave a will, payment
will be made to the widow or widow
er, If either survives. "The widow
or widower" form is to be used in
such cases.
Where the wage Garner dies with
out leaving a will or a surviving
spouse, the "close relative" form is
to be used Tor claim MED Dy a cnllu
or grandchild or his legal custodian
if under legal disability, or by the
father or mother of the deceased
wage Garner.
The executor or administrator"
form is for the use Of executor or adj
ministrator of the deceased wage
Garner. The guardian or commit
tee" form is to be used by the guar
dian or committee of the egally in
competent wage Garner.
The Statement of Employer is to
be filed with each type of claim.
Prompt execution of this form by the
employer viii be of material help to