I do NOT know what is "Regular SS.---But we both (Husband and wife ) have Social Security.SSN is very important in getting any kind of Benefit.
By regular SS I mean monthly payments for retirees or disabled workers who worked in the US over their working life and contributed into the social security system (6.2% of their wages up to a limit prescribed by law). If you did not work in the US for a minimum period of 10 years and contributed into the social security system you are not eligible to receive monthly payments upon your retirement that is based on your length of service, contribution etc. If you came into this country sponsored by your son/daughter who are citizens and if you are a senior citizen, you can apply for an SSN and if you declare that you are on your own and that nobody is there to support you, then you become the ward of the government which pays you what is known as SSI (supplemental security income), and medical care. It is available to US citizens whose income is very low when they retire or those without jobs or destitute. The same provision is made available to senior citizen immigrants who come into US legally (such as sponsored by their children)
All GCs who have SSN, do NOT get $500/= per month-No Cash nor "Food Relief" --For "Citizens" (Seniors) this is NOT the rule. My daughter -in -law is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)--she says "Supporters'" income limit,their commitment and Time proximity to the "Eligibility" to Citizenship are all the criteria for GCs. Medicare alone is "Mostly Free,subject to Part-B provisions", =>that too through a Medical Insurance only.The Insurance Company "Item by Item has to clear". For Instance "Life Saving" measures can Not be refused-there also One has to go through the "Approved facilities only,even for "Prescription medicines".--PCP is the final Authority to decide and he/she has to go through a lot of regulations & rules..-but a "Denture" or "Glass for the eyes"--one has to wait for prior approval of the Insurance Company even for a few months for clearence.
I am not an expert on the details. But let me state this. If the son/daughter of the immigrant senior tells the senior to declare that he is on his own, then these provisions kick in. That is the safety net the government has for its own citizens and it applies to the immigrant seniors as well.
NO need to have worked here and stayed here for 10 years etc.
It is true only for SSI and medical care. The 10-year provision I mentioned is for the regular social security benefits that regular retirees are eligible to receive upon their retirement which is based on their length of service, amount contributed and the calculation of certain other factors.
No "cheating" is involved in this case--From Our Childrens' Salary automatically a "Fairly Reasonable Amount" is deducted at "Source" for "Social Security". When Two couples "Contribute" it is a huge amount.They don' get even a penny as benefit from SS,as long as they earn,(and sentimentally they do not want anything from SS also)and they do not want to give up their earning as long as they can.They say "if some un-known faces are getting the benefits,why NOT our parents get a small portion as Medicare,when it is legitimate."
As I said in reply to Mr. Sudeshwer every worker in the US is bound by law to contribute to the social security system. If a husband and wife work they both should contribute, huge amount or not is not the point. They have to pay according to what the law dictates. Mitt Romney also has to contribute on the wages he earns (I am not sure about Obama when he occupies the White House or about members of Congress; they may have a separate system). Nobody gets a penny from the SS when they are working. Only when they retire or become disabled the system comes into play. Sentimentality does not govern this. The law takes its course. If you say I do not want to receive retirement benefits that does not exempt you from paying into the system.
As for "unknown faces getting it and why not us" ---that is a morality issue. If somebody steals and not getting caught I should not attempt the same method--wouldn't you agree? I am not saying that availing the SSI by those who were not participants in the system is illegal because that provision has been made as a safety net for US citizens and is being extended to those who are in the county legally.
Secondly preventive medicine for the vulnerable group (what Prof.Alex Comfort says "Deterioration across the Board in GERONS) is of paramount importance in public Health Care of Younger population,which is Government's responsibility .
No comment.
In our Country the Government bears the burden of Public Health from Tax-payer's money.(it was what Dr.K.S.Sanjivi--with whom I worked for 14 years-- was telling all his life----In INDIA Federal Government alone charges Tax on Income--here Federal--State-City all charges Tax on Income apart from "Social Security" deductions =>from which the Meical Aid for Senior Citizens are given.In one sense Healthy Earning Children indirectly pay Medical expenses for their parents."Charity Starts at Home"..