This is a question for my mom. Her husband just passed away today. He was collecting SS. She also gets disability. Will she be able to collect both? People have said she could only collect one. I know she couldn't collect hers and his SS...but is disability considered SS?? Any help with these questions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

If your mother's husband's benefit rate was higher than her disability benefit amount, your mother should qualify for widow's benefits if they were married for at least 9 months and she is at least age 50. In that case, she would continue to get her own Social Security disability benefit, plus an additional excess widow's benefit. Depending on her current age and the age that her husband started drawing his benefits, your mother's combined benefit rate could be as much as her husband's full rate, or somewhat less than that.

Best, Jerry