Explore the Benefits You May Be Due 


You, or Your Family Members, May Be Eligible for Increased Benefits 
Our mission is to deliver Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the public. It's not unusual for a benefit recipient's circumstances to change after they apply or became eligible for benefits. If you, or a family member, receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income SSI , certain life changes may affect eligibility for an increase in your federal benefits. For example , if your spouse or ex - spouse dies , you may become eligible for a higher Social Security benefit. To find out if you, or a family member, might be eligible for a benefit based on another person s work, or a higher benefit based on your own work , see the information about benefits on the Social Security website. You can also use the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool BEST to find out if you could get benefits that Social Security administers. Based on your answers to questions , this tool will list benefits for which you might be eligible and tell you more information about how to qualify and apply. The questions and answers below are about a few of the life changes that could possibly increase your benefits. If your spouse or ex - spouse has died , you may be eligible for a higher survivor benefit based on his or her work. The death of an ex - spouse may allow you to be eligible for a higher survivor benefit even if you are already receiving a survivor benefit on another spouse. If you are at least age 65 , you may be eligible for cash benefits on your own record. If you are full retirement age or older , you can work and receive your monthly Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn. Please review this publication for more information. If your child had enough work credits and was providing at least half of your support , you may be eligible for a higher parent's benefit based on his or her work. If you have worked , you may be eligible for a higher

user: Hi, good afternoon. I'm interested into knowing what benefits may be due for me.

assistant: No problem. I have to ask, are you or any member of your family in a qualifying state for benefits?

user: No, not right now, just asking about the topic.

assistant: O.K. in that case, do you want me to refer some sources for further information?

user: No, it's not necessary right now.

user: Although, in that regard, what can i use to get more information? Something like this?

assistant: You can use our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. There you'll have total confidentiality.

user: Look, this may be a morbid question but, in the case my spouse, or ex-spouse, because i'm divorced, dies, Do i may be eligible for some benefit from you?

assistant: In fact, you can. If that scenario happens, you may be eligible for a higher survivor benefit based on her work. In case the deceased person is your ex-spouse, you may be eligible for a higher benefit even of you are already receiving a survivor benefit on another spouse.

user: Um, i see. Say, with this kind of benefits, i suppose there's a need to report changes our lives, are we?

assistant: That's correct. They key on this type of benefits is the most up to date information. As such, there are certain life events that you are required to report to us. For a complete list, see reference publications.

user: O.k, i'll take a look to that. Now, this number you said before, you said is toll free, right?

assistant: That's correct, no charge for use them.