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Social Security Disabled Widow(er)'s Insurance Benefits Benefits

Program Description

These benefits are paid to the disabled widow or widower of a deceased worker who had earned enough Social Security credits.

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must meet the following requirements:

Be at least age 50, but not yet age 60
Have been married to the deceased spouse for not less than 9 months immediately prior to the day in which the deceased spouse died, unless an exception applies
Be unmarried, unless the marriage can be disregarded
Not receive a higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work.

Your Next Steps

The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this program.

Application Process

If you would like to find out if you may be eligible for any of the benefits SSA administers, visit http://best.ssa.gov.

Once you have completed the eligibility screening questionnaire, you will be provided with a list of benefits for which you may be eligible. Print this page for your records before going to the application site.

Once you know which benefits you can apply for, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/appl yonline/ to apply online.

You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) for additional information about SSA benefits and for application information.

Program Contact Information

To review the Adult Listing of Impairments, visit: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook

For more information on this and any SSA benefit, call:
1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)

Visit our Publications page for detailed information about SSA programs and policies:
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/