17. Evidence Required to Establish Right to Benefits

The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.

"Disability" under Social Security is based on your inability to work. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if:

• You cannot do work that you did before;
• We decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and
• Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

Here's more information to see if you may qualify for disability :
http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify5.htm

I'm not sure what you mean by "income withdrawn into Social Security". However, you may qualify for SS benefits based on his work record.

• If your divorced spouse dies, you can receive benefits as a widow/widower if the marriage lasted 10 years or longer and you are age 60 or older (or age 50 if you are disabled.)

• If you are divorced after at least 10 years of marriage, you can collect retirement benefits on your former spouse's Social Security record if you are at least age 62 and if your former spouse is entitled to or receiving benefits.

Based on information provided, it may be difficult to qualify for disability benefits.

The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years.

http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify2.htm

Note you may qualify for Social Security retirement benefits based on your (former) spouse's work record. However, if you remarry, you will likely lose benefits based on your (former) spouse's record.

You may wish to obtain a copy of your Social Security work record to see your records and potential benefits.

http://www.ssa.gov/mystatement/

If you are getting benefits based on your own work, contact Social Security, and they will check to see if you can get more money as a widow or widower. If so, you will receive a combination of benefits that equals the higher amount. You will need to complete an application to switch to survivors benefits, and they will need to see your spouse's death certificate.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10084.html#3

This depends on the type of benefits you're receiving. There are quite strict earnings (wage) limits if you're receiving Social Security disability or SSI benefits.

I'll assume you're talking about Social Security retirement or survivor benefits. In this case, only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age (FRA) count towards your annual limit. If you work the entire year, the SSA will use this formula to determine how much your benefit must be reduced:

• If you are under FRA when you start getting your Social Security payments, $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2012 that limit is $14,640; in 2011 the limit was $14,160.
• In the year you reach FRA, $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $3 you earn above the annual limit up to the month of FRA. For 2012, the limit is $38,880; in 2011, the limit was $37,680.
• Starting with the month you reach FRA you will receive your benefits with no limit on your earnings.

http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/whileworking.htm

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/302

You can apply for Medicare here :

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/

Please see this post :

http://socialsecurityhop.com/forums/survivor-benefits-social-security/no...

Please see the following :

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/147