How to request increase in Social Security?

[karriwhel]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas
My father is on Social Security from an accident that left him unable to work since he was 16yrs old. My mother & father are legally separating after 31yrs of marriage & he will no longer be dependant on her income. Since SS is based upon the yrs you worked he only receives $600 a month and is afraid he will lose his house (cannot live on that amount of money). He has been so dependant on my mother for years he does not know much about his own benefits. Is there an easy way to request a file review since the amount he was awarded was based upon the fact that he had was a dependant on someone that could work? Is this something that would progress quicker if an attorney was involved? Time is of essence of course since bills are rolling in & he is very worried. Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[BL]

If he's now living alone , he should inform SSA .

I don't know about that State but with $600 SSDI , he should be eligible for SSI also .

 

[Ozark_Sophist]

If he is over retirement age, he should be able to collect retirement SS based off ex's work record.

 

[karriwhel]

He is not of retirement age quite yet. I am not knowledgeable of anything like this so was unaware that someone could collect both SS (what is SSDI?) & SSI. I know he has medicare I believe so at least he has health coverage of some sort. I hear corresponding with the SS Administration can take forever to get anything done (and may require an atty?). I of course plan to help him as much as my financial state will allow in the meantime (we all can eat ramen noodles for a while Thanks so much for your help!

 

[TheGeekess]

He is not of retirement age quite yet. I am not knowledgeable of anything like this so was unaware that someone could collect both SS (what is SSDI?) & SSI. I know he has medicare I believe so at least he has health coverage of some sort. I hear corresponding with the SS Administration can take forever to get anything done (and may require an atty?). I of course plan to help him as much as my financial state will allow in the meantime (we all can eat ramen noodles for a while Thanks so much for your help!

SSDI is Disability that one gets when one has a work history. (So many quarters have to be worked before one is eligible for SSDI.)

SSI is welfare for the disabled who have not worked enough to have SSDI credits or have not ever been able to work.

Social Security Online - The Official Website of the U.S. Social Security Administration for more information.