To be eligible 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 be entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work.
Based on the information you gave us, you may not qualify for this benefit. To get disabled widow's or widower's benefits, you must have become disabled within seven years of when your spouse died or within seven years of when you last received benefits on your deceased spouse's record. Your disability did not begin within that seven year period.
To find out more about how Social Security decides if you are disabled, visit SSA’s Publications Page select "Disability" under "Topics," and review Social Security Publication Number 05-10029.