Can't figure out if my approval is for SSDI or Surviving Spouse Disability Benefits - what's the difference?

Congrats on getting approved! What you're getting is actually different from regular SSDI. Surviving Spouse Disability Benefits are available to widow(er)s who become disabled before or within 7 years after their spouse's death. They're based on your deceased husband's earnings record, not yours. So no, it's not regular SSDI (which would be based on your own work credits), but it's still a disability benefit through Social Security. The amounts can be different - generally based on what your husband would have received.

Its actualy a good thing!!! My sister got this after her husband died in an accident. She got more money from his record than she would of got from her own disability!! But make sure you ask if your eligible for your own SSDI too maybe?? sometimes you can get one now and switch to the other later if its more money.

To clarify some details: Surviving Spouse Disability Benefits (sometimes called Disabled Widow/Widower Benefits) allow you to receive benefits as early as age 50 if you become disabled before or within 7 years of your spouse's death. They're calculated based on your deceased spouse's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), typically at 71.5% of what your spouse would have received at full retirement age. This differs from SSDI in several important ways: 1. Qualification is based on your spouse's work credits, not yours 2. You must be at least 50 years old (with some exceptions) 3. The disability requirement is the same as SSDI - unable to perform substantial gainful activity 4. There's that 7-year window after your spouse's death (with some exceptions) You mentioned your husband passed 3 years ago, so you're well within that window. It's actually quite good you qualified for this rather than regular SSDI if your husband had a strong earnings record.

Same thing happened to me! I applied thinking it was regular disability but got the widow benefits. Been getting them for 2 years now. You'll still get Medicare after 24 months just like with regular SSDI. The monthly amount is usually better if your spouse made more than you did during their working years. The only real difference I've noticed is some of the paperwork has different codes on it.

this is not the same as SSDI! when my wife passed I tried to get this but was denied. they said I wasn't disabled enough but sounds like you passed all their tests. you have to be totally disabled just like with SSDI but its based on your husbands earnings not yours. its probably a good thing for you!!

Have you tried calling the SSA to get a clear explanation? I needed to understand my benefits and spent DAYS trying to get through on their 800 number. Kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual SSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent explained everything about my widow benefits and answered all my questions. Much better than trying to figure it out from their confusing notices or website.

CONGRATS!!!!!! Getting APPROVED for ANY kind of SS disability is a HUGE accomplishment these days!!!! SO MANY people get denied over and over. I had to fight for almost 3 years and hire a lawyer to get my regular SSDI. The surviving spouse benefit is actually better in most cases from what my friend who has it tells me. Just be grateful you got APPROVED on the first try! That's like winning the lottery with how strict they are now!!!!

anyone know if theres a waiting period for the first check with widow disability? with regular SSDI theres that 5 month wait thing

One important thing to understand about these benefits - you might be eligible to switch to retirement benefits on your own record when you reach age 62 if that would pay more. Or you could switch to regular survivor benefits (not disability) when you reach full retirement age. It's worth having a benefits planning session with SSA once you're settled into these payments to understand your future options.

I'm sorry for your loss, and congratulations on your approval! As others have mentioned, this is actually a great outcome. Surviving Spouse Disability Benefits can often provide better monthly payments than regular SSDI, especially if your husband had higher lifetime earnings. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure to keep SSA updated if you ever remarry, as that could affect these benefits. Also, if you have any dependent children under 18 (or disabled adult children), they might be eligible for additional benefits on your husband's record too. The fact that you got approved on your first application is really remarkable given how strict the process has become. Take some time to process this good news - you've got financial security coming your way during what I'm sure has been an incredibly difficult time.