Social Security Assistance

My office provides assistance to constituents who are having problems with Social Security benefits and eligibility. If you have tried to resolve a problem with the Social Security Administration and have run into problems, we might be able to help. Please contact my Bakersfield office for assistance.

Congressman Kevin McCarthy
4100 Empire Drive, Suite 150
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Phone: (661) 327-3611
Fax: (661) 637-0867

How do I apply for benefits?

To apply for benefits, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213. They have a TTY phone connection at 1-800-325-0778. You can ask SSA to send you the correct forms, and they can answer questions you may have.

In order to qualify for disability benefits, you must be unable to perform work of any kind and your disability must be expected to last at least one year or result in death. You must also have worked long enough (earned certain number of "credits") and recently enough under the Social Security System. The specific numbers depend on individual situations.

The SSA receives numerous applications for disability benefits. Because of the large volume of applications, it can take a long period of time to receive a decision. If your application is denied, you may appeal the decision.

If you receive disability benefits, the benefits won't begin until the sixth full month after the date the Social Security Administration decides the disability began. In addition, you must wait two years before you qualify for Medicare coverage.

How do I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

To apply for benefits or to ask questions, contact the SSA at
1-800-772-1213. They have a TTY phone connections as well at 1-800-325-0778.

Supplemental Security Income is an income assistance program administered by the Social Security Administration for people who are 65 or older, blind or disabled (physical or mental problem expected to last at least one year or result in death); whose assets (the things you own) are worth no more than $2,000 for a person or $3,000 for a couple; and who don’t earn less than $520 per month if you don’t work and $1,073 per month if you work.

These amounts change periodically. For the most current, call the SSA at the above number.

You can generally expect an answer on whether you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) within two to six months.

How do I apply for retirement benefits?

To apply for benefits or to get more information about the SSA retirement program, call 1-800-772-1213. They have a TTY phone connection as well at 1-800-325-0778.

The number of credits you need to get retirement benefits depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work).
If you stop working before you have enough credits to qualify for benefits, the credits will remain on your Social Security record. If you return to work later on, you can add more credits so that you qualify. No retirement benefits can be paid until you have the required number of credits

You are eligible for SSA retirement benefits when you reach age 65 (however, beginning in 2003, the age at which you can apply for retirement benefits will increase gradually from 65 to 67), but you can apply early at age 62. If you apply early, the benefits you receive will be reduced, but you will receive them for a longer time.

The amount you receive depends on how much you earned when you were working.

You can also delay applying for Social Security retirement. If you do so, your extra income may increase your benefit amount, and you will receive a credit. To find out more about credit you may receive, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.