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Bops
My 3 wishes
Member since 12/07 13625 total posts
Name:
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Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
Asking for my uncles wife (He passed away suddenly at age 51 this week) 
Background:
Uncle was on Social Security Disability for approx 3 years...Worked all his life.
DS#1- 16 years old
DS#2- 22 years old who collects disability (developmentally delayed since birth)
They are NOT in a good financial situation and my aunt was extremely co-dependant on him (does not even drive)
I am fairly certain that she will collect SS now for her 16yo DS, but will she also collect anything for herself?
Also, will the disabled 22yo DS check increase at all?
I tried to call SS for her and they said there is a 30 day wait for an appt right now
 ...They have no money in the meantime, so another family member is going to bring her down to the SS office itself to try and facilitate this quicker
Any insight on what she might expect? She is beside herself with worry on how she will get by (she only works PT)
TIA
Message edited 11/13/2011 11:36:48 AM.
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Posted 11/13/11 11:35 AM  |
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
She should definitely walk in and apply herself.
I am not sure what she would be entitled to, but I know that even with applying in person it takes at least a few weeks to go through.
I've taken a few clients down to social security in recent months (even the one in Queens in Rego Park!) and the wait to see someone was not long at all.
She could also look into seeing if she is eligible for anything like HEAP. You need to go to the local DSS office for that.
She can look into getting food stamps at DSS too.
Also if she is behind in bills, she may be eligible for emergency assistance through DSS.
It is usually a process there though and DSS especially is not a nice place. It's like that purposely I think so people will be discouraged from applying.
I also always encourage people to also contact their local Catholic church if needed for assistance with food/bills if it's an emergency.
ETA: I am not sure if the monthly check amounts will go up for anyone. I know they do some kind of figure and consider people living together a "household" which usually leads them to receiving less $$$$ vs if they lived by themselves. I don't know all the specifics though but be prepared for this.
Message edited 11/13/2011 12:05:42 PM.
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| Posted 11/13/11 12:02 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
MIL got SS benefits until DH (the youngest) was 18 and then AGAIN when FIL would have turned 62 until her SS kicked in (he was 20+ years older)
Every year SS sends a statement about what the benefit would be if you die, retire, etc, ask her if she has that.
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| Posted 11/13/11 12:09 PM |
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Peainapod
Peanuts are here!
Member since 1/09 13591 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
when DH lost his father at 16 years old, they received benefits until they were 18; So he got it for 2 years, and his sister was 12 when their father passed, so 6 years.
I believe DH's mom got some sort of widow's stipend. But I dont think she herself got regular payments. Only the kids.
Now that MIL is 62, and never remarried, she was able to get some sort of back pay from whatever their Dad paid into SS. And i think she will get quarterly payments now. I will tell you though, it took a year and a half of multiple visits to the office to get the back SS money..its not easy and you need to keep on top of them and document EVERYTHING.
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| Posted 11/13/11 12:54 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
My DH's father died when he was 13. He received survivor benefits till he was 18.
My MIL now just started getting benefits as her DH woudl have turned 62. She gets them till her retirement age.
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| Posted 11/13/11 1:24 PM |
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Melbernai
I am a lucky Momma!
Member since 7/05 15652 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
My Dad passed away about a month ago. My Mom was told that she would recieve a one time death benefit of $250. Apparently when they started the death benefit program in 1938 that's how much a funeral cost, and the purpose was to cover the cost of a funeral. 
She was told that because she is under 62 that she is not eligible for any type of monthly social security benefit. So the $250 is all she is getting. She is 59 right now.
It is a bad situation. She may need to sell the house that my parents owned together for 37 years. The mortgage is paid off but with taxes, utilities, upkeep, there is little that she can do with her limited income.
She does have an appointment set up with them and hopefully she can get more answers!
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| Posted 11/13/11 9:21 PM |
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Bops
My 3 wishes
Member since 12/07 13625 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
Posted by Melbernai
My Dad passed away about a month ago. My Mom was told that she would recieve a one time death benefit of $250. Apparently when they started the death benefit program in 1938 that's how much a funeral cost, and the purpose was to cover the cost of a funeral.
She was told that because she is under 62 that she is not eligible for any type of monthly social security benefit. So the $250 is all she is getting. She is 59 right now.
It is a bad situation. She may need to sell the house that my parents owned together for 37 years. The mortgage is paid off but with taxes, utilities, upkeep, there is little that she can do with her limited income.
She does have an appointment set up with them and hopefully she can get more answers!
Wow....So sorry for your loss 
This is what I feared
They were barely paying for their 2BR apartment on what little income they had and without that , I don't know what she is going to do (especially after her DS turns 18)
Thank you to all who replied....I am going to pass the information on to her and pray that she can stay afloat 
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| Posted 11/13/11 10:32 PM |
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
There a variety of types of benefits that could be at issue here. She can walk in to a Social Security office and just wait to be called. She has to find out what her deceased husband's family max is and whether the benefits will be as much as the max. The 22 year old may have to be present.
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| Posted 11/13/11 11:31 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
Posted by Melbernai
She was told that because she is under 62 that she is not eligible for any type of monthly social security benefit. So the $250 is all she is getting. She is 59 right now.
When would your father have turned 62? Your mom can collect his benefits until she turns 62 (or maybe later?)
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| Posted 11/14/11 8:58 AM |
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Bops
My 3 wishes
Member since 12/07 13625 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
There a variety of types of benefits that could be at issue here. She can walk in to a Social Security office and just wait to be called. She has to find out what her deceased husband's family max is and whether the benefits will be as much as the max. The 22 year old may have to be present.
Thanks Kerie (totally forgot this was your area of expertise)
I will definately let her know that her 22yo DS should go with her...
Generally speaking , does a wife usually collect for a disabled spouse for "herself" or ONLY for a minor child?
She is only 52...
I am hoping that maybe the 22yo will collect more now (maybe under his fathers earnings??)
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| Posted 11/14/11 5:10 PM |
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Melbernai
I am a lucky Momma!
Member since 7/05 15652 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
Posted by Erica
Posted by Melbernai
She was told that because she is under 62 that she is not eligible for any type of monthly social security benefit. So the $250 is all she is getting. She is 59 right now.
When would your father have turned 62? Your mom can collect his benefits until she turns 62 (or maybe later?)
My Dad would have been 66 in December...so he was 65!
Yet they told her she couldn't collect anything!
I have to call her to see if she has had her appt yet and to tell her that this is what I heard!
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| Posted 11/14/11 9:35 PM |
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
Posted by Bops
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
There a variety of types of benefits that could be at issue here. She can walk in to a Social Security office and just wait to be called. She has to find out what her deceased husband's family max is and whether the benefits will be as much as the max. The 22 year old may have to be present.
Thanks Kerie (totally forgot this was your area of expertise)
I will definately let her know that her 22yo DS should go with her...
Generally speaking , does a wife usually collect for a disabled spouse for "herself" or ONLY for a minor child?
She is only 52...
I am hoping that maybe the 22yo will collect more now (maybe under his fathers earnings??)
Yes, there are likely to be increases for the 22 year old and the 16 year old but there may not be anything additional for the mother. If she is disabled in her own right there is a possible benefit for her now even if she never paid into the system herself. That often gets overlooked. You would have to think about whether she has medical issues. All of this is subject to the family max. though. Tilde, on the boards, would know more about Survivor's Benefits. I usually only see those cases when the survivor is both a survivor and disabled or recently when I helped a friend whose ex-husband died & they had a child together.
See http://ssa.gov/pubs/10084.html
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| Posted 11/15/11 12:07 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Posted by Bops
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
There a variety of types of benefits that could be at issue here. She can walk in to a Social Security office and just wait to be called. She has to find out what her deceased husband's family max is and whether the benefits will be as much as the max. The 22 year old may have to be present.
Thanks Kerie (totally forgot this was your area of expertise)
I will definately let her know that her 22yo DS should go with her...
Generally speaking , does a wife usually collect for a disabled spouse for "herself" or ONLY for a minor child?
She is only 52...
I am hoping that maybe the 22yo will collect more now (maybe under his fathers earnings??)
Yes, there are likely to be increases for the 22 year old and the 16 year old but there may not be anything additional for the mother. If she is disabled in her own right there is a possible benefit for her now even if she never paid into the system herself. That often gets overlooked. You would have to think about whether she has medical issues. All of this is subject to the family max. though. Tilde, on the boards, would know more about Survivor's Benefits. I usually only see those cases when the survivor is both a survivor and disabled or recently when I helped a friend whose ex-husband died & they had a child together.
See http://ssa.gov/pubs/10084.html
I've been following this post, but haven't responded b/c Kerie said it all basically :) the sons' benefits will increase and the mother will most likely not be entitled to anything.
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| Posted 11/15/11 6:25 AM |
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Bops
My 3 wishes
Member since 12/07 13625 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can anyone offer insight (survivors benefits , SSD related)
Thanks ladies....
@Kerie- His wife is not disabled so she definately wouldnt qualify for herself
I think she is going to try to go down there today...Will update when I know more
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| Posted 11/15/11 7:53 AM |
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