Widows & Widowers Support Group

This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.

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Death & Dying
/ Widows & Widowers Support Group

Denied....

Dottk
Dottk

Got a letter from SoSec today, strangely, not the anticipated one telling me if I have been resurrected from their recent offing of me, myself and I along with my spouse-- but to tell me instead that I don't qualify for disability, not because I am dead, not because my stroke didn't cause sufficient damage either, but because I lack work hours.  No kidding.  I was taking care of my cancer patient husband instead!  That was work, just not with a timecard going into to Social Security.  This is not helping either my lack of funds, or my state of mind.....  (Sigh....) What next?


Rent is due tomorrow.  :/

Community Leadercliffskat
cliffskat
You should qualify as a disabled survivor under your husband's benefits. You may not have enough credit under your own wages for disability, but you should qualify under his earnings. SSA is supposed to calculate your benefits under both and you have the option of claiming under whichever is higher. Here is a link to the SSA page about it - note it says you can receive benefits as early as age 50 if disabled:

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/survivors/ifyou2.html

I don't receive anything from them but one of my sons receives a disabled survivor benefit as he is autistic. When I die, they will recalculate his benefits based on my earnings which will be a higher amount as I had a longer work life.

Please contact them again and ask about claiming under your widowed survivor benefits based on your husband's work history. Also make sure they are sending you the lump sum death benefit if $255 - it's not much but might help with the rent at least.

All the horror stories I have heard about SSA and disability is that everyone is denied the first time if claiming in their own right. Don't give up.

Hope this helps.

Love and Hugs,
Martha
gregsbaby
gregsbaby
Yes definitely contact them again! My son and I both receive my husband's survivor benefits. They'll ask for his death certificate, members birth certificates and any other forms they need. The application process takes up to 60 days, but not usually the whole 60.
Uniz
Uniz
I also receive them under my husband's benefits. It is a pain to work with them but worth it in the end. Also if your husband was a veteran check into those benefits also.
Uniz
Uniz
I also receive them under my husband's benefits. It is a pain to work with them but worth it in the end. Also if your husband was a veteran check into those benefits also. Working with the government is always a hurry up and wait process.