Is it true that Social Security was originally just a retirement program?
This question often lingers on everyone’s mind. Was this program started to solely address retirement? What has the program done to change over the years do address more issues that face citizens?
It is true that in 1935 a law was passed to establish Social Security and under this law Social Security was being created as a retirement plan. For the most part what the law did was provide retirement benefits to the primary worker that was retiring. In 1939, this began to change when the law was amended and adjusted to also included survivor benefits, as well as additional benefits for the spouse and children of the retiree that was initially covered under the original Social Security law. In the year l956, Social Security was further expanded, yet again. This time it was to aid and support the disabled. This was done with the addition of Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security act was originally much larger of a topic than just the program that we have today that we all know of as “Social Security.” The initial 1935 law included the first compensation program for unemployment on a national level. This law also added aid to the states for numerous health and well being programs, such as welfare. The act also attempted to help the stated by establishing the Aid to Dependant Children program under it.
It’s amazing to see how far Social Security has come over the history of the United States, but we all have to hope that Social Security continues to expand creating better programs and does not fall dormant.
What are Social Security Benefits?
Social Security benefits are monetary payments that are made to disabled persons who are no longer able to work according to the Social Security System. This system is ran by the Department For Work And Pensions (DWP). In order for a person to be entitled to receive this type of a benefit they will need to have worked for 5 out of the past 10 years.
There are various types of benefits available under the Social Security System. These benefits have been designed so as to meet the different types of needs that various people may have. Some of these various benefits include:
- There is a state pension available for people who have reached retirement age.
- If you are the parent of a disabled child, then you may be eligible to receive Social Security Child Benefits.
- For those employees who have to take an extended leave of absence from their job due to illness, there is the Statutory Sick Pay.
- Those persons who are out of work and seeking a new job may be eligible to receive the Job Seeker’s Allowance.
As you can see, there really are a wide variety of benefits that are available from the Social Security Administration. Of course, there is also a set of guidelines that clearly state who and who is not eligible for each type of benefit. In order to find out whether or not you are eligible for any of these benefits you will need to go through an application process.
