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Questions Answered by Steve Perrigo
1 Answer | Asked in Social Security for Oklahoma on
Q: Is it required for an individual to work the full five years just prior to retirement?

My mom, who lives in Oklahoma, is turning 62 this year and would like to retire a little while after her birthday. However, she is concerned because she heard somewhere that a person is required to have been employed for the entire five years immediately preceding their desired retirement date. Is... View More

Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 25, 2020

That is not true. What might be confusing her is the general rule that an individual seeking Social Security Disability benefits needs to have worked 5 of the 10 years before their disability onset date. There is no such rule for SS Retirement benefits. You just have to have worked the equivalent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Social Security for Arizona on
Q: I live in AZ and collect SSI, my Wife collects SSDI, will her monthly payments effect my SSI payments, and if so, how
Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 25, 2020

Yes, her income, including SSDI, will affect your check. The concept is known as "deeming" - as in some of her income will be deemed to you. There are several variables in the calculation, so you'll need to contact SSA for the exact amount. But typically, it will lower your SSI check.

1 Answer | Asked in Social Security for Arizona on
Q: SSI payment question

I collect SSI and recently got married, my wife collects SSDI will her payments effect my SSI payments and if so, what is the formula used for calculations?

Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 25, 2020

Yes, her income, including SSDI, will affect your check. The concept is known as "deeming" - as in some of her income will be deemed to you. There are several variables in the calculation, so you'll need to contact SSA for the exact amount. But typically, it will lower your SSI check.

1 Answer | Asked in Social Security for Arizona on
Q: What does social security consider twelve consecutive months?

This concerns someone in prison on SSI. If she was arrested and put in jail on June 19, 2019 and will be released on May 23, 2020, is that considered 12 consectutive months and they would have to refile for SSI and start the process again?

Thank you.

Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 25, 2020

I don't believe so, because the period of ineligibility starts July 2019, so I only count 11. Having said that, her SSI record will likely go into a terminated status and they'll have to start a new one, but that does not require a new medical decision. This should only involve a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Social Security for Florida on
Q: Husband died of last 17years not together I need death certificate to turn in BUT DONT HAVE HIS TOWN OR SS NUMBER ???
Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 25, 2020

You should be able to call the Social Security Administration and they can search using an Alphadent query. They'll need his full name, DOB, place of birth, parents names, and mothers maiden name. Protection under the Privacy Act ends upon death, so they should be ok to release it. At least... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Social Security for Tennessee on
Q: 15days ago I relocated a Brother from Chgo to Mphs after a stroke. Does he have to be denied SSDI before hiring an Atty?
Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 4, 2020

No, you should hire an attorney early in the process. There is no charge for consultations, and they are only paid if they win your case. You can call me directly if you have any questions. Regards, Steve

1 Answer | Asked in Social Security for Tennessee on
Q: I'm on ssi, I have been on ssi for 4or5 years, I dont make enough to pay child sup. being on ssi, but I have arrears wil

I still get a 2020 stimulus check like everyone else on ssi, or will they take it away from me or garnish my 2020 stimulus check because I have arrears in child support, even though I havent had to make a child support payment in the whole 4or5 years since the state of Tennessee deemed me to be... View More

Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 4, 2020

I don't believe they are garnishing stimulus checks for child support arrears.

1 Answer | Asked in Social Security for New York on
Q: If a child child over the age of 24 wants their birth certificate and social security card but their parent wont give it

Is that illegal?

Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 2, 2020

I don't think it is illegal per se, just not very kind or helpful. You can get replacements for both. Birth Certificates are through the state dept of health or bureau of vital statistics. Replacement SS cards are easily replaced by going into your local SSA field office with proper... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Social Security for New York on
Q: I've been on SSDI for over 25 years for a mental condition. I receive 2 checks, 1 Disability check and 1 Survivors check

I lived with my Mother for all this time in her house. She died in March. Do I have to report her death to social security? I have to move soon. Do I need to report to social security when I move? Will the amounts of the checks I receive be the same or less when I move? Thanks.

Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 2, 2020

You should report the death to SSA, but it won't affect your checks. SSA typically gets death notifications directly from the funeral homes, but with the field offices being closed due to Coronavirus, I would call the 1-800 number also to report.

Yes, you should always report a change...
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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Social Security for Arizona on
Q: My wife (52 yrs. old) receives SSDI and lied to me about the backpay she received. I pay 90% of our bills. Is this lega

Is this legal? Last year she told me she received $25,000 which she promptly bought her a Cadillac Escalade but just saw her 2019 W2 she was hiding and her backpay was actually more than $49,000 after paying her lawyer and Medicare deduction. She completely kept me in the dark, even though I was... View More

Steve Perrigo
Steve Perrigo
answered on Apr 25, 2020

Her SSDI payments are for her disability and she is under no legal obligation to tell you. Besides the moral and ethical issues, it would also pose a tax issue if she knowingly withheld that information from you while you filed an erroneous joint tax return.

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