Surviving Divorced Spouse

Please confer with the SSA directly to confirm for your particular case. However, I would consider applying immediately for survivor benefits. You should apply for survivors benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits will be paid from the time you apply and not from the time the worker died.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10084.html

Generally, there is a lengthy backlog of disability cases, so it may be quite some time before you could receive disability payments.

Please see the following link regarding dual entitlement which means entitlement to and actual receipt of two types of benefits for the same month. A woman may, for example, be entitled to payments both as a retired worker and as a wife. Entitlement to two secondary benefits generally does not result in a dual entitlement because usually only the larger benefit is payable. Entitlement to a retired worker or disabled worker benefit and a secondary benefit results in dual entitlement only if the secondary benefit is larger. When there is dual entitlement, the beneficiary receives the smaller benefit in full, but the larger benefit is paid only in the amount by which it exceeds the smaller benefit.

http://www.ssa.gov/oact/NOTES/as115/as115_VI_H.html#1149026