Am I Eligible for Disabled Widow Benefits?

Losing a spouse is never easy. Not only does it come with a profound emotional toll, but it can often be accompanied with financial concerns that need to be addressed. If your spouse worked and paid into Social Security, you might be eligible to receive Disabled Widow Benefits (DWB) to ease some of the burden. There are many requirements that need to be met from both yourself and your spouse in order to qualify. So, how do you know if you are eligible for disabled widow benefits?

What is Disabled Widow Benefit?

DWB is a type of Social Security benefit designed for widows and widowers who have a disability and relied on their now-deceased spouse’s income. These benefits are meant to provide some financial relief and stability for disabled widows who are facing hardship due their spouse’s passing.

Am I Eligible?

Most survivor benefits start at age 60, but if you have a disability, you might be qualified to start receiving DWB at age 50, as long as your disability began within 7 years of your spouse’s passing. If you decide to remarry, you must be over age 50 at the time of marriage in order to qualify. Another qualification is that your spouse needs to have earned a certain amount of work credits, which are measured by the amount they contributed towards Social Security taxes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews the deceased’s work records to determine if that employee (and thus, their living spouse) is eligible. Finally, unless the death was due to an accident, you have to have been married for at least 9 months.

How to Apply

To apply for Disabled Widow Benefits, you will need to collect proof of identity, marriage, your spouse’s work history, and their death certificate. When it comes to showing proof of your health, you will also need to provide proper documentation of your disability, just as you would if you were applying for SSDI benefits. You can apply both in-person at your local Social Security office, or call the Social Security Administration (SSA). You cannot apply for this online.

Call Us to Learn if You Are Eligible for Disabled Widow Benefits

It is common to face challenges when applying for any benefits with the SSA, but we are here to offer solutions. It is important that you have all proper documentation and evidence at the ready to prevent being denied benefits due to missing paperwork. If you are unsure over any questions regarding your late spouse’s work history, our Social Security lawyers can help request an official statement from the SSA. If the SSA rules your disability as unqualified for DWB, you have the right appeal.

At Jan Dils, we want everyone to receive the benefits they are owed, especially if a loved one is no longer around to serve as a provider. Call us for a free consultation and learn if you can file for Disabled Widow Benefits.