My husband passed away May 20, 2009. I am 58 years old, and I have been told that I due not qualify to receive survivor benefits until 2 1/2 years from the time of his death. I receive a portion of his retirement fund monthly, which isn't enough for me to live on. I applied for welfare, yet they told me that the retirement money I received was approximately 75 dollars too much for me to receive ANY help from them. I am currently behind on the home we shared for 35 years, and having trouble paying the rest of my day to day bills as well. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the past, yet have no health insurance to receive any treatment. My question is, is there ANY way I can receive my deceased husbands SS benefits sooner than I have been told I can? There must be SOMETHING that can be done. Any insight would be GREATLY appreciated.
If I Marry
If I marry and am on disability will I lose my social security benifits. I am 65.
Effect of marriage on Social Security disability benefits
Please contact Social Security directly regarding your situation.
According to the following source, if you receive your own disability benefits, then your benefits will continue after marriage.
http://ssa.gov/pubs/10153.html#4
Note that if you are receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach full retirement age, those benefits will be converted to retirement benefits. Folks born between 1943-1954 have a full retirement age of 66.
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10035.html
Receiving Social Security survivor benefits early
For your case, there are three ways to qualify for Social Security survivors benefits as :
* A widow or widower -- full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60
* A disabled widow or widower -- as early as age 50
* A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits
http://www.ssa.gov/ww&os2.htm
Folks with bipolar disorder may qualify for Social Security disability. In this case, you may be able to either receive disability benefits or receive survivor benefits early. See here for details :
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorde...