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If the cards were in his name only, you are not responsible for them. If he was getting social security before he died, then you will still get his checks, unless the checks were for disability.

Don't panic! First of all, you need to call Social Security to apply for your Survivor benefits. The phone number is 1-800-772-1213. They can tell you how much of your husband's Social Security benefits will come to you. For most women, it is more than what your own individual retirement benefits would amount to. While you are on the phonen with them, you can also request the one-time lump-sum death benefit $255. Here is a link to the Social Security website page about widow's benefits:

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/survivors/onyourown2.html

As far as your husband's credit card debt, you may not owe it or anything on his medical bills. It depends on which State you live in. You may owe if you live in a community property state.

You will need to get some advice on this from either your State or local office for the elderly/senior citizens - it goes by different names depending on your State or locale. If you have a local senior center, they may have volunteers that can guide you or at least refer you to the correct agency to find out. Your doctor's office or the funeral home may also have helpful telephone numbers to sort out these questions.

Most places in the USA have free or reduced fee legal advice to senior citizens through the local or State bar associations. You would only need a brief consultation to answer your basic questions. You can look in the phone book or online to find your local bar association.

Don't panic and don't give up. It may not be anywhere as bad as you think it is.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

After looking at your profile, I see you are old enough for both of you to receive social security. If you were both drawing social security and your checks were larger than his, then you won't get his checks anymore. It really stinks that when you've both worked and paid in to ss, if a spouse dies, you lose their benefits, or yours if your checks are less than his. I'm so sorry you have this added burden at this awful time.

unless these were joint accounts you not responsible

I inherited his (and his late wife's debts) in 2011, spent all of our married years helping him to pay these off. Probably about 30 or 40 grand. He had a judgment on her hospital bills, and we didn't quite get that all paid but close. Now I ask myself, "Why???" If I had known how it would all end, we could have taken more road trips and vacations, done more together. Now I have just about the right amount of income to pay my rent and normal bills, with little left over. I am hoping there won't be any surprise doctor or hospital bills come my way. It does tend to be scary, but we just do the best we can. It takes abut a year to get all the ducks in a row.

Yes, if the cards are in his name only depending what state you live in you do not have to pay.