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Disability and SS?

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Posted 6/11/2011 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there! I need an answer to a question. I'm a widow and I collect my husbands SS. I have quite a few problems with my health. What I want to know is, can I collect both my SS and get disability also? Thanks for your help!

Post Edited (Potsie) : 6/11/2011 7:29:06 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/12/2011 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Potsie!

I have to be the worst person to answer this....but Im thinking you will be able to collect your husbands SS.

Straydog is probably the best to answer this...I will shoot her an email over to her and alert her to your post.

Good Luck...and take care!

SE wink
Posted 6/12/2011 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
My guess is yes too...but I don't know that type of information either...maybe we will get a bet going until we get the answer:)..

Sorry to hear you are having such bad health issues that lead to disability...:(...Straydog is definitely well versed in that subject..

Sending you some hugs...that I can do! (( ))
Posted 6/12/2011 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! I can really use the hugs!
Posted 6/12/2011 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
I may be wrong on this, but I do not believe you can collect survivors benefits and any other SS benefits at the same time.

I tried to find the answer online and could not come up with any thing that plainly answered this question. What I did find was answers to questions about what happens when a person getting survivor benefits reaches full retirement age and so forth as well as what happens when a person who is getting disability reaches full retirement age. In both cases their benefit amounts of each program they are qualified for are compared and they are placed in the benefit program that has the higher amount.
Posted 6/12/2011 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Jim may be right on this...as it might be that you can collect one or the other, but not both. I sent Stray an email on this, and hopefully she will be along in a bit to help.

I do know that when the spouse passes away, you have the choice to choose either theirs, or yours which ever one is larger, but not both. But when it comes to collecting disability, and the ability to collect your spouses SS...I'm not sure.

I guess we will all learn a little something on this one.

SE
Posted 6/12/2011 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
I appreciate any help I can get on this. I'd like to know also, if when and if I receive disability, how do they determine how much you receive?
Posted 6/12/2011 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
I can answer your question on how do they determine how much you get. It depends on how much you've worked and how many credits you have accrued. You can find out how many you have accrued by getting a hold of Social Security. I'm not sure if there would be a way to find out on their website or not. I haven't looked at their website.

As far as receiving both survivors and disability, i don't think you can get both. Probably one or the other. I don't know for sure though. I know my mom was getting the survivors from my dad, but now she's past 65. I think she's drawing her own now, but it's not disability.

I hope I didn't confuse you, but I'm almost positive it would be one or the other. I hope this helps.

hugs
Loretta
Posted 6/12/2011 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Really your best bet for the most up to date info is to call your local social security office.
Posted 6/12/2011 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
9yrschronicpain, that helps alot. All your opinions help. Thanks!! turn
Posted 6/12/2011 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
I did a little research myself, and I think you may file for your husbands SS if you are at least 60yrs of age. However if you are disabled, you may file for his SS if you are between the age of 50 and 60yrs old.

Some states may differ on this!....I still don't understand if you can receive both disability and your husbands SS. Like Jim said, call the SS office and ask them. I'm seriously considering filing for SSD myself, and it looks like there is a lot to learn and many options to think about.

Good luck...and please do report back here, as I'm sure it will help someone who may be faced with you're same situation. Thanks so much for asking here on the forum!

SE wink
Posted 6/12/2011 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Potsie you cannot collect both benefits at the same time. My parents were divorced but had been married 18-20 yrs. My mom was on SSD and when she turned 65 SSD automatically switched her over to regular SS. After this my dad passed away they did give my mom a very small amount monthly for survivor benefits. My neighbor was disabled and lost her husband unexpectedly and because she was already getting SSD she was not allowed to switch over to survivor benefits.

In order to qualify for SSD you have to pay in so many quarters to SS. It comes out to working almost 10 yrs straight and the monthly amount is based on your earnings during that time. A phone call to SS can tell you how many quarters you have paid in and if you have paid in enough quarters. If your husband made more money than you then you are better off drawing the survivor benefits.

I hope this helps.
Posted 6/14/2011 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Straydog. It does help. I don't think I've worked long enough to qualify for SSD.
Posted 6/14/2011 6:56 AM (GMT 0)
I am on SSI and I did get the backpay and ny husband is on SSI also, and we just got his backpay about a month ago. He's b een on it for about 2 years and they finally dec ided to give it to him.

Take care. I hope that you're having a low pain night.

love and hugs
Loretta
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