Widow at 62 - Can I claim survivor benefits from husband who barely worked?

Based on what you've described, your husband was likely receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) rather than Social Security retirement benefits, especially if he didn't work much throughout his life. SSI is for people with limited income and resources. Unfortunately, SSI benefits don't transfer to survivors - they stop when the recipient dies. However, you should absolutely apply for widow's benefits! Even with limited work history, if your husband had accumulated at least 6 credits (about 1.5 years of work) within the 3 years before his death, you might qualify for survivor benefits. At 62, you can get about 71.5% of your husband's full retirement benefit amount. Even if he had a small work record, something is better than nothing in your situation.

my mom was in similar situation when my dad passed. he was getting SSDI for his heart condition not SSI. if ur husband had cancer he might have qualified for disability even with limited work credits. u should definitely apply for widows benefits! u can get 71.5% at ur age like the other person said.

You NEED to go directly to SSA to sort this out. Being 62 and a widow means you could be eligible for either reduced retirement on your own record OR reduced widow's benefits (whichever is higher). Don't wait 3 months for an appointment - you may be leaving money on the table every month. I waited weeks trying to get through on the phone until someone told me about Claimyr.com which gets you through to a live SSA agent usually within 30 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It worked for me when I needed to file my widower claim last year. Way better than waiting months for an appointment, especially when you need the income now.

For widow benefits, you'll need: - Your marriage certificate - Your husband's death certificate - Both your Social Security numbers - Your birth certificate - Your bank account info for direct deposit - Last year's W-2 or tax return (if you worked) If you don't have all these documents, still apply! SSA can often verify things electronically, and they can help you get what you need.

sorry about your situation. my neighbor went thru something similar. she was married 11 years not 13 but still qualified. its all about his work credits i think.

Based on the payment amount ($1600), I strongly suspect your husband was receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) rather than SSI. This is good news for you! Here's what you should do: 1. Apply for widow's benefits immediately - you're already 62, so you can receive reduced survivor benefits (about 71.5% of his full benefit amount). 2. You mentioned you're "struggling" - if your own income and resources are very limited, also apply for SSI for yourself. 3. When you reach your Full Retirement Age (66-67 depending on birth year), you can switch to 100% of your husband's benefit amount. 4. If you've worked enough yourself, run calculations to see if your own retirement benefit might eventually be higher than the widow benefit. The fact that you lived separately is irrelevant as long as you remained legally married, which you did. The 13-year marriage easily satisfies the 9-month marriage requirement for widow benefits.

they dont automatically do anything!! u have to tell them what u want. my aunt lost thousands because she didnt know to ask for the higher amount when she hit her FRA.

I HATE how complicated they make this system!!! My husband passed 2 years ago and I'm STILL fighting with SSA about my benefits. They keep telling me different things every time I call. One person says I qualify, next person says I don't. It's INFURIATING!!! Make sure you get EVERYTHING in writing. Record the names of everyone you talk to. And be prepared to appeal whatever decision they make because they ALWAYS mess it up the first time. Sorry to be negative but that's been my experience.

hey i just wanted to say dont give up! my mom was in your exact shoes and eventually got benefits. took like 4 months of back and forth but worth it in the end. she gets about $1100 a month now.

Thank you everyone for your kind responses! I'm feeling much more hopeful now. Going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow to speak with someone at SSA directly. I'll gather all the documents mentioned and be ready to apply for widow's benefits. I really appreciate all the detailed information - didn't realize there were so many different options and considerations.

One more thing to consider: if you're still working, be aware of the earnings limit. For 2025, if you're under Full Retirement Age and collecting any Social Security benefits (including widow's benefits), your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $22,320. This isn't permanent though - when you reach Full Retirement Age, SSA will recalculate your benefit amount to give credit for the months they reduced or withheld benefits. So don't let this discourage you from applying, just be aware it might impact the amount you receive initially if you're working.

Good news about your part-time income being under the earnings limit! That means you should be able to receive your full widow's benefit amount without any reductions due to work. Just wanted to add one more resource that might help: when you do get through to SSA, ask them to send you a copy of your husband's earnings record (Form SSA-7050). This will show his complete work history and help confirm whether he was receiving SSDI or SSI. It's free and can be very helpful for understanding your benefit options. Also, if you end up needing to visit a local office eventually, many people don't realize you can sometimes get seen for urgent financial hardship cases without waiting the full 3 months. When you call (or use that Claimyr service), mention that you're experiencing financial hardship as a widow - they sometimes have emergency appointment slots available. Wishing you the best of luck with your application!