Who Can Get Widow or Widower Social Security Disability Benefits in Utah?
One way you can receive widow or widower Social Security Disability benefits is if you have a disability of your own.
You may be able to receive benefits based on your deceased spouse’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) record.
This is how Social Security defines disability benefits for widow(ers) with disabilities:
- Your spouse worked, paid into Social Security, and qualified for retirement or disability benefits.
- You are between age 50 and 59.
- You have a qualifying disability under Social Security’s rules.
- Your disability began before your spouse died, within seven years after their death, or within seven years after you stopped receiving benefits while caring for their child
- You meet the marriage requirements (usually at least 9 months of marriage, with some exceptions)
- You are not remarried in a way that voids your Social Security eligibility for survivor benefits
In these cases, you may receive about 71.5% of your late spouse’s SSDI benefits each month.
There are also other survivor benefits situations, even if you don’t have a disability yourself:
- If you are any age caring for your deceased spouse’s child who is under 16 or has a disability.
- If you are 60 or older, you can qualify based on age alone.
- If you are full retirement age, you may receive up to 100% of your spouse’s benefit amount.
These options feel like a lot to navigate when you’re in mourning and facing major life changes. Our disability lawyers in Utah step in and provide support.
These additional situations are usually called survivor benefits, not disabled widow(er) benefits.
At Barnes Disability Advocates, we focus on disability law. If you have health problems that prevent you from working, we can help you prove it and qualify for disability benefits.
We’re proud to help widows and widowers across Utah find stability, dignity, and hope again.
How to Apply for Disabled Widow or Widower Benefits in Utah
Applying for disabled widow(er) benefits in Utah means proving two things at once: your eligibility as a surviving spouse and your own disability under Social Security’s rules.
The paperwork, required evidence, and hurdles in the process can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with loss. Barnes disability attorneys here for you at every step.
Here’s what the disability benefits application process looks like:
1. Contact Social Security to Start the Application
Unlike some other disability applications, survivor-related disability benefits often require speaking directly with Social Security. You will need to provide your spouse’s information, your own documents, and the details of your disability.
2. Submit Proof of Marriage and Your Spouse’s Work Record
Social Security must confirm your spouse’s eligibility. This involves death certificates, marriage certificates, and their full earnings record.
3. Provide Medical Documentation of Your Disability
You must show that:
- Your disability meets Social Security’s severity rules.
- Your condition keeps you from working full time.
- Your disability began before your spouse’s death or within the required seven-year window.
This requires medical history, treatment notes, doctor statements, and proof of limitations.
4. Complete All Forms and Follow All Deadlines
There are multiple pages of forms. Social Security often asks for additional information. Many applicants are denied simply because paperwork was incomplete or confusing.
You shouldn’t have to navigate this alone, especially not while you’re grieving, struggling with health problems, and trying to rebuild your life.
Our team lifts some of the burden from your shoulders. Here’s how we can help:
- We explain your options clearly, so you understand exactly what type of benefit is best for your situation.
- We help gather the proof you need, including medical records, doctor statements, marriage and work documents, and any supporting evidence.
- We prepare and file the application for you, ensuring nothing is missing and everything is presented clearly to Social Security.
- We track your case, respond to Social Security’s requests, and keep you informed every step of the way.
- We appeal denials if necessary, representing you through reconsideration and hearings.
- We treat you like a person, never a case number.
If you lost a spouse who worked and paid into Social Security and you have your own health challenges that prevent you from working and replacing their lost income, you may have more options than you realize.
Reach out to Barnes Disability Advocates for a free, compassionate case review. We will listen to your story, explain your choices in plain language, and help you take the next step toward financial security.
When life becomes overwhelming, we’re here to help our Utah neighbors hold onto stability and find ways forward.
Do You Want to Know More About Our Disability Lawyers in Utah?
Barnes Disability also helps with long-term disability claims when you have a private insurance policy to protect your finances if you lose the ability to work. Our disability attorneys have decades of experience and a mission to help everyday people find peace and dignity in difficult times.
