My mom is a citizen and is a 63 yrs widow.She is employee of school district for over 20 years and doesnt get Social Security deducted but instead get TRS which is VERY low (~100/month). She wants retirement. What financial help is available. She needs ~1400 -1800/month to be able to meet end end to end need. My dad expired at age 59 and had worked for 9 years in United States. Form reading online, it looks like she does not qualify for Medicad and Social Security which is a shame as she is a citizen and so was my dad but since he passed at age 59 and didnt complete 10 years my mom does not qualify for his benefits. Is there any exception to this rule? What other government help is there to help us in this situation?
All your help to direct us will greatly be appreciated.
Many people (including me!) would like to retire but cannot afford to. Is your mother no longer able to work? Does she have some disability? Health issues? Please explain more. If she is healthy and able to work there will not be many programs to subsidize her retirement. She will be eligible for Medicare in a couple of years, and that should help a lot with her medical expenses.
If she is not healthy and able to work, then Medicaid may be an options.
Explain her situation a little more, so we can give you more specific suggestions.
Social security is a pay-in program, so a minimal contribution is required prior to collecting. If neither she nor her spouse contributed sufficient periods they are not eligible.
I am not sure why she would not qualify for Medicaid, as that is on a need basis.
Note the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.
If her income is very low she may be eligible for government assistance such as welfare and food stamps, but social security is probably not an option.
Government programs provide a relief, but they do not fully fund a desirable lifestyle.
Hopefully she achieved the American dream, that your children are better off than yourself and you will be in a position to help her as well.
.
She will not be eligible for SS on her own behalf if she has not paid into it. Her husband would not have been eligible for SS because he hadn't earned enough credits. BUT (as I understand it, and I am NOT an expert) his widow or minor children could still be eligible for some payment. When I had questions about Social Security for myself I emailed them through their website, and they set up an appointment to have a phone conversation. They were extremely helpful and courteous. I think that is the route of inquiry you and Mom should take. If there is any benefit she is entitled to it probably won't fully meet her needs at this time, but she should get whatever she is due.
Does TRS have a disability benefit? Or did the district offer a disability policy? I think that angle is worth looking at. Would she qualify as disabled? If so, she is probably eligible for Medicaid benefits. In some states Medicaid is automatically offered to disabled persons, and in others it has to be applied for separately.
If it is any consolation, these issues and difficulties apply those of us who have been citizens by birth. The systems are complicated, and it can take a lot of digging to find the solutions. Your mother is lucky to have you to help advocate for her.