The Social Security Administration has a new feature on their Web site. In their words:
The Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) helps you find out if you could get benefits that Social Security administers. Based on your answers to questions, this tool will list benefits for which you might be eligible and tell you more information about how to qualify and apply.
BEST is NOT an application for benefits and:
- does not know, or ask for, your name or Social Security number.
- does not access your personal Social Security records.
- will not give you an estimate of benefit amounts.
BEST will NOT screen for help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. If you have Medicare, you might be eligible for this program.
This feature is helpful as a beginning step for people who have no idea whether they are entitled to such benefits as survivor, child, etc. It is not a substitute for talking with a lawyer about Social Security disability benefits though. If you believe you are disabled and cannot work, I recommend you skip this Web site and just contact a Social Security disability law firm.
