Social Security Benefits for Workers Over 65

• The Social Security Administration offers several social security programs for individuals over 65.older couple image by JulianMay.co.uk from Fotolia.com
  
  Employees who are 65 and older may be eligible for several types of assistance under the Social Security Administration's government assistance programs. Typically, social security benefits are provided for U.S. citizens or legal aliens and permanent residents only. Rules regarding eligibility vary according to the type of program an applicant is seeking benefits under, but they all have age-based criterion to determine initial eligibility.
  
  

Social Security Retirement Income

• Social Security retirement benefits are provided to those who have earned enough working credits and contributed to the Social Security tax fund. Those workers who retire prior to 65 will receive less than if they wait to retire later. For each year retirement is delayed, the recipient will receive more in monthly retirement benefits. There is early retirement beginning at age 62, but the benefits recipients receive will be much lower than if benefits begin after age 67.
  
  Full retirement age under social security benefits depends upon the worker's date of birth. For instance, those born after 1960 will be considered full retirement age at 67. However, those born prior to 1960 are considered to be full retirement age at 66. The longer an applicant keeps working, the more "credits" the applicant accrues, since more payments are made into the social security fund, and more money is earned at retirement.
  
  

Medicare

• Medicare benefits are provided to people who are 65 or older. Certain individuals who are permanently disabled may also receive Medicare benefits if they're younger than 65 years old. There are several components to Medicare.
  
  Known as "Part D," the prescription drug component provides discounts for certain prescription drugs. Medicare's hospital insurance is known as "Part A." "Part B" provides medical coverage for doctors' visits and hospital care received on an outpatient basis. Once an employee reaches 65 and begins receiving social security benefits, Medicare begins automatically.
  
  

Food Stamps

• Food stamps are administered on a need-based system, and although anyone may be eligible to receive food stamps once the income thresholds are met, there is a waiting period for most food-stamp recipients.
  
  However, there is no waiting period for qualified low-income recipients who are over age 65. Individuals between ages 18 and 60 must work in order to receive food stamps if they're not considered "disabled" under the Social Security Administration's definition. Individuals over age 65 do not have to register to work in order to receive food stamps.
  
  The income threshold is met if the household does not have over $2,000 in qualified resources, unless there is an individual over 60 living in the household. If this is the case, then the income limit is increased to $3,000. The income received from Social Security or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is not counted as a resource.