Common misperceptions regarding social security filings in Ohio

04/29/24

By Joe Adkins

Social Security is a federal program managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and operates under federal law. Thus, the basic rules for eligibility, benefits calculation, and filing are uniform across the United States, including Ohio. Sometimes, people mistakenly believe that state-specific laws might alter basic Social Security benefits or eligibility, which is not the case

Your Social Security benefits are generally the same regardless of which state you live in, as it is a federal program. Some people might think that moving to another state, such as Ohio, could affect their Social Security benefits. While state residency doesn’t affect your Social Security benefits, factors like state taxation of Social Security benefits can vary. Ohio, for example, does not tax Social Security benefits, which might be a point of confusion.

While it's true that initial disability determinations for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are made by agencies at the state level (in Ohio, this is done by the Bureau of Disability Determination), the criteria and regulations they follow are federally established. Some might believe these decisions are based on state-specific criteria, which is not the case.

Another misconception might be that filing for Social Security benefits needs to be done through Ohio-specific institutions or that Ohio has its own system for Social Security filings. In reality,

filings are done through federal SSA offices or online through the SSA website. However, local SSA offices can provide assistance and resources specific to the area they serve.

There might be a belief that you need an attorney licensed specifically in Ohio to represent you in Social Security cases if you reside in Ohio. In fact, attorneys who handle Social Security disability cases can be licensed in any state, as long as they are eligible to practice law and are in good standing with their bar association.

SSI is a federal program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income. However, states can choose to supplement this benefit. Some might not realize that Ohio offers an optional state supplement for individuals in certain living arrangements. This can sometimes create confusion regarding the amount of SSI benefits an individual might expect to receive.

There is often confusion about how Medicaid eligibility is determined in relation to receiving Social Security benefits like SSI. In Ohio, individuals who receive SSI are typically automatically eligible for Medicaid. However, the rules for Medicaid eligibility can be complex and vary depending on individual circumstances, leading to misinterpretations about who qualifies and under what conditions.

There's a common misbelief that you cannot work at all while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI. In reality, the Social Security Administration offers work incentives, including trial work periods, during which beneficiaries can test their ability to work while still receiving full benefits. The rules can be complex, and misunderstanding them can lead people to avoid work that they are actually capable of performing without jeopardizing their benefits.

There's sometimes a misconception that having a private retirement account, like a 401(k) or an IRA, will reduce your Social Security benefits. Social Security benefits are calculated based on your earnings record and the taxes you've paid into the system, not the value of your personal retirement savings. However, other types of pensions, particularly those from work not covered by Social Security (like some government positions), may affect your benefits.

Some Ohioans might misunderstand the age requirements for full retirement benefits from Social Security. The full retirement age (FRA) is not the same for everyone and depends on your year of birth. For many people approaching retirement age, there is confusion about when they can retire without facing penalties in their Social Security benefits.

There are specific rules governing who can receive survivors benefits after the death of a loved one who was receiving Social Security benefits. Misunderstandings about who qualifies (spouses, children, dependent parents) and how much they might receive can lead to unrealistic expectations or missed opportunities for benefits.

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