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Can Spouses Collect Benefits For Deceased Social Security Disability Recipients?

March 4, 2013

The death of a spouse can be extremely difficult, both emotionally and financially. For those whose spouses were collecting Social Security Disability Benefits, the loss can also leave them wondering if they are still eligible to collect a portion of the awards that were issued to their loved one.

Opposing Views says there are some benefits survivors can continue to collect, while there are others that will not carry over to a next of kin after death. If an individual is collecting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and dies, their spouse will not be able to continue collecting those benefits. If the spouse is over the age of 65-years-old and now has a limited source of income, they may qualify for SSI themselves though.

Social Security Disability Benefits are examined under a different set of standards. The spouse of a deceased beneficiary may be eligible to receive a portion, or possibly all, of their loved one’s benefits depending on their age. A person of full retirement age will receive 100 percent of a deceased spouse’s Social Security, while a person of a younger age will receive only a percentage of the benefits.

Other factors that can affect the amount of entitlement can include a spouse’s own eligibility for benefits, marital status, and children.

The Social Security Disability Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin understand how confusing these benefits can be and are available to answer any questions you may have.

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The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.

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