Can I collect both my own SSI and my deceased ex-husband's Social Security benefits?

You can't get both SSI and survivor benefits at the same time, unfortunately. SSI is needs-based and if you qualify for ANY other benefit, they make you take that first. Your ex's survivor benefit will probably be higher anyway, so you should apply for it right away. Just call SSA and tell them your ex died and you need to apply for survivor benefits as a divorced spouse.

The previous answer isn't completely accurate. Here's the full situation: 1. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is indeed means-tested, but survivor benefits are considered unearned income. 2. You MAY be able to receive some of both, but your SSI would be reduced. SSA will deduct your survivor benefit amount from your SSI payment (minus a $20 general income exclusion). 3. However, if your ex-husband's benefit is substantially higher than your SSI, you'll likely lose SSI eligibility completely, but end up with more total money. 4. You should definitely apply for the survivor benefits as a divorced spouse (since you were married more than 10 years and haven't remarried). At 63, you'll get a reduced benefit - about 79.6% of what you'd get at your full retirement age. 5. Don't wait - you can apply immediately after his death, and benefits can be paid retroactively for up to 6 months from application date.

my sister-in-law went thru this exact situation!! she got more money with the survivor benefits than SSI gave her. the SSI payments stopped completely which was actually better cuz SSI has all those resource limits and survivors benefits dont have asset restrictions. she could keep her savings account without worrying about going over $2000

Regarding your Medicaid concern - when you transition from SSI to survivor benefits, you'll no longer automatically qualify for Medicaid through SSI. However, you should immediately apply for Medicare if you haven't already (assuming you've been on disability for 2+ years). You may also qualify for a Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help to assist with Medicare costs if your income is still limited. Some states also have Medicaid spend-down programs for people slightly above regular Medicaid limits. Make sure to address this when you apply for survivor benefits so there's no gap in your health coverage.

I went through something similar when my ex passed. It took me 7 WEEKS just to get an appointment with Social Security to apply for survivor benefits! I kept calling every day and either got a busy signal or was on hold for hours only to get disconnected. So frustrating!!! Finally I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a real SSA agent in under 20 minutes. Saved me so much stress! You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU and their website is claimyr.com. Way better than calling for weeks with no answer.

just make sure u bring death certificate when u apply!! they wouldnt process my claim without it and i had to go back a second time

SSA should be able to verify his death in their system IF he was already collecting Social Security benefits. If not, you'll need to request the death certificate from the vital records office in the state where he died. Since you're divorced, you may need to show your marriage certificate as well to prove you were married for the required 10+ years. I'd recommend gathering these documents before your appointment: 1. Your ID 2. Your Social Security card 3. Marriage certificate 4. Divorce decree 5. Ex's death certificate (if you can obtain it) 6. Your banking information for direct deposit And one important thing - if you're on SSI now, be very careful about any lump sum payments from survivor benefits. If not handled properly, a large back payment could disqualify you from SSI and potentially Medicaid for a period. Ask the claims representative specifically about this.

DONT LISTEN TO ANYONE TELLING YOU THAT YOU CANT GET BOTH!!! The government wants you to think you can only get one benefit but thats NOT TRUE! My cousin gets BOTH her SSI AND her ex's full benefit. You just need to tell them you DEMAND both benefits because its YOUR RIGHT!!!

Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm going to try setting up an appointment with SSA this week. Based on what you've all told me, it sounds like I should definitely apply for the survivor benefits since they'll likely be higher than my current SSI. I'll gather all my documents and make sure to ask about the Medicare/Medicaid transition to avoid any gaps in healthcare coverage. I really appreciate all your help - navigating this system is so overwhelming, especially during an emotional time.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I can understand how overwhelming this must be. Just wanted to add one more important point that might help you - when you apply for survivor benefits, make sure to ask about "protective filing." This means SSA will hold your application date even if you don't have all the required documents yet. This is crucial because survivor benefits can be paid retroactively up to 6 months from your application date, not from when you have all your paperwork together. So even if it takes you a few weeks to gather everything like the death certificate, your benefit start date won't be delayed. Also, don't worry too much about the reduced benefit at 63 - you're still getting a significant amount, and the peace of mind from not having to deal with SSI reporting requirements will be worth it. Wishing you the best through this difficult process.

I'm also navigating a similar situation and wanted to share something that might help. When I called SSA about survivor benefits, they told me I could actually apply online at ssa.gov for the initial application, which saved me from having to wait weeks for an in-person appointment. You still need to provide documents, but at least it gets your claim started in their system faster. They also mentioned that if you're currently receiving SSI, they'll automatically coordinate the transition between benefits so you don't have to worry about accidentally getting overpaid or having gaps in coverage. The online application walks you through exactly what documents you'll need to mail or bring to a follow-up appointment. Might be worth checking out while you're gathering your paperwork!

I'm sorry for your loss, Annabel. Going through this process while grieving is incredibly difficult. I wanted to add something that might give you some peace of mind - many people in your situation actually end up in a better financial position with survivor benefits than they were with SSI. Not only are the payments typically higher, but as others mentioned, you won't have to worry about the strict asset limits and constant reporting requirements that come with SSI. You'll be able to have a normal savings account and won't have to report every small change in your circumstances. The transition might feel overwhelming right now, but once you're receiving survivor benefits, it's generally much simpler to manage. Also, don't hesitate to ask the SSA representative to explain anything you don't understand during your appointment - they're required to help you understand your options, and it's completely normal to need clarification on these complex rules. You've got this!