So you want to know if having a medical card can affect your social security benefits?
You’re at the right place.
This article will cover everything you need to know about using a medical card with social security insurance.
But first, I must mention what a medical card is and the benefits of having one. So, make sure you read to the end.
Also, don’t forget to share the love with others because I’m pretty sure that they’ll need this information as much as you do.
Table of Contents
- What is a Medical Card?
- What Do You Get with a Medical Card?
- Here’s What You Should Know About Social Security Benefits
- Will Your Medical Card Affect Your Social Security Benefits?
- Factors that Can Affect Your Social Security Benefits
What is a Medical Card?
A medical card is a personal document that gives you the right to free or reduced medical services.
The medical threshold of this card may differ with geographical location. But it still gives a certain amount of medical benefits to the holder.
Most times, a medical card is given to an individual who earns below a specific income limit. This is to help them access medical and healthcare services. Here are some of the benefits of a medical card.
Related: Can a Disabled Veteran be Recalled to Active Duty? (Answered)
What Do You Get with a Medical Card?
- Free GP services
- Prescribed drugs and medicine
- Short-term counseling
- Maternity cash grant
- Maternity and infant care services
- Aural, dental, and optical services
- Out-patient and in-patient public hospital services
Note: These services may differ in your community, so check with your local health office to confirm the benefits your medical card will cover.
Here’s What You Should Know About Social Security Benefits
Social security gives you a source of income to foot your bills when you are no longer working.
There are 3 categories of social security benefits. Let’s run through them to understand the concept better.
Retirement Benefits
To qualify for the retirement benefits, you must have paid money into the social security program during your working years. This allows you to enjoy retirement benefits when you stop working.
Disability Benefits
This is for people who are severely disabled because of an impairment that is likely to last forever or a longer time. You also need the recommended credit to be eligible for disability benefits.
Survivor Benefits
This comes after the death of an individual and is given to the surviving spouse and children. The dead person must have, however, earned a minimum of 6 credits 3 years before their death.
Related: Will I Lose My Disability Benefits If I Go to Drug Rehab? (Answered)
Will Your Medical Card Affect Your Social Security Benefits?
Regardless of your social security benefits category, whether disability, survivor, or retirement benefits, having a medical card will not disqualify you from the benefits.
A medical card and social security benefits are separate entities and don’t interfere with each other. You’ll continue to get the social security benefits while using the card as long as you’re eligible for the benefits.
So, you don’t have to worry about your medical card affecting your social security benefits.
Factors that Can Affect Your Social Security Benefits
Fraud or Crime
You can lose your social security benefits when you’re suspected of fraud of any kind or convicted of a serious crime. Ensure that you give correct details when applying for the benefits, as that can also be considered an act of fraud.
You should also report income as quickly as you can to social security. The report must be accurate and timely to avoid a suspected fraud case.
You can get your social security benefits back after fulfilling your sentence. But you may lose it permanently if charged with a felony.
Related: What the Rehabilitation Benefit Covers in a Disability Income Policy
Exceeding Income or Asset Limits
You’d lose your social security benefits if there’s an increase in your income from a source that eventually pushes you over the asset limits.
Exceeding the asset limit is one of the common reasons people lose their social security benefits.
Medical Improvement
Bear in mind that your disability social security benefits are open to review every 3-7 years and can be revoked if there’s an improvement on your medical condition that no longer qualifies you as disabled.
For example, if an individual with a psychiatric condition is evaluated and confirmed stable, the SSA can withdraw the benefits.
Going Back to Work
Also, a disabled person collecting disability benefits can lose the benefits if they return to work. According to the social security administration, it is an act of substantial gain and an offense under the law.
There’s also a threshold for earning while collecting social security benefits.
Going back to work or doing extra jobs can make you go beyond the threshold, and that means losing your benefits.
Reaching the Retirement Age
You will lose your social security benefits when you reach the retirement age of 65 and start collecting retirement benefits.
This is because you cannot collect social security benefits with retirement benefits. Instead, you can only get retirement benefits under the social security retirement program.
Spouse Income
The subject of whether your spouse’s income can affect your social security benefits is a controversial one. And often, you will see many married couples asking to know if their spouse’s income will affect their benefits.
The answer is No. Your spouse’s income doesn’t affect your social security benefits even if you file taxes together.
The social security administration doesn’t count your partner’s income against your earning limit.
Additionally, each spouse can claim their individual retirement benefit on their personal earning history. They can even collect 100% retirement benefits simultaneously.
But here’s the rub.
Your partner’s earnings can affect your overall social security benefits if you’re on a spousal benefit.
