How to File for Widows Benefits Through Social Security
If your spouse has worked for up to 10 years, you may be eligible for widow's benefits through Social Security when he dies. According to the Social Security Administration, widow's benefits may be paid to you at a full rate at your retirement age (or reduced benefits as early as age 60), if you're disabled (as early as age 50), or any age if you're the caretaker of a husband's disabled child under the age of 16 who also receives Social Security benefits. Even if you're divorced, you may still apply for widow's benefits, as long as you meet specific criteria.
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Things You'll Need
- Spouse's death certificate
- Birth certificates
- Naturalization papers (if applicable)
- Military discharge papers (if applicable)
- SSA-3368 and SSA-827 forms (if applicable)
- W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the past year
- Marriage certificate
- Final divorce decree (if applicable)
Instructions
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Gather all required documents together. The SSA will ask you to provide the following depending on your circumstances: your spouse's death certificate, birth certificates, naturalization papers (if applicable), military discharge papers (if applicable), SSA-3368 and SSA-827 forms (if you're disabled); W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the past year; marriage certificate; and final divorce decree (if applicable).
Original documents are required, except for tax forms and medical documentation, which can be presented as a copy.
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Apply at your local Social Security office. Bring the above documents with you. Alternately, you can choose to file for widow's benefits online through the SSA website (see Resources) or by telephone at (800) 772-1213. If you must mail the SSA original documentation, it will be returned to you.
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Take your checkbook or papers that show your account number at your financial institution. Survivor's benefits are typically deposited directly into your account to protect you against theft of loss of your check.
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Tips & Warnings
There are pros and cons to collecting widow's benefits before your retirement age. You'll get benefits for a longer period of time, but the amount of benefits may be permanently reduced.
The SSA urges you to apply for widow's benefits as soon as possible, even if you don't have all of your original documentation available.
Widow's benefits that start when you reach age 60 are reduced by 28.50 percent.
