Working with Seniors: Health, Financial, and Social Issues

Chapter 21: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income

It is important for you to understand the Social Security program and how it works because Social Security is the major source of income for most seniors and the entire source of income for one in five seniors.

In this chapter, you learn about the types of income that Social Security provides --- retirement, disability, dependent and survivor benefits programs, including the eligibility criteria for Social Security benefits, options seniors have for receiving benefits, and when Social Security benefits are taxed. The chapter also discusses how to calculate Social Security retirement benefits and the role of the representative payee, as well as the safety net option for seniors with low incomes -- the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and how seniors can apply for SSI assistance.