My husband passed just as I became eligible for SSI, I am 56 and cannot work, he was self employed for the past 11 years, I have no work history, Can I continue to get my SSI together with disabled widows benefits on his record?

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

As it's name implies, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs based benefit intended to supplement any income that recipients may have from other sources, such as Social Security. So, if you become entitled to Social Security disabled widow's benefits it will reduce your SSI payments virtually dollar for dollar. And if your disabled widow's rate is high enough, it could wipe out your SSI payments altogether.

Best, Jerry