Widow Benefits

If you are a disabled widow age 50 or older you may be able to receive benefits off your spouse’s (or former spouse’s) Social Security record. Claims reps need to know that in some cases a disabled spouse needs to make the claim under the deceased spouse's account in this way, because the survivor may not have enough work credits for disability benefits under the survivor's own record. Additionally, for disabled widow benefits your deceased spouse needs to have earned a minimum of 40 credits (40 credits is 10 years of work) from working in jobs that pay Social Security taxes.

You can qualify for a disabled widow’s benefit if you are between ages 50 and 60 and have a disability that began before your spouse's death or within seven years after the spouse's death.

Also, disability claim reps need to be careful not to lose the forest through the trees - because at age 60 that spouse may be eligible for the survivor benefit regardless of disability. When a person fighting for disability is nearing 60, in almost all cases you will want to be sure the claimant applies for that age 60 survivor benefit without delay.

If you become eligible and your disability benefit is less than the widow’s benefit, you will receive the disability benefit plus the difference between the two. On the other hand, if the disability benefit is higher than your widow’s benefit, you will receive only the disability benefit.

Check out the link to the SSA site on widow survivor benefits for a disabled spouse 50 and over, and regardless of disability at age 60. The rights of divorced spouses are also explained at that link.