Ask Larry

If I Qualify For Survivor Benefits Will I Receive Medicare Right Away?

my x husband and i were married for 18 years. He was approved for SSDI when he was 45 years old. He passed away at 51 years of age. We divorced in 2018, I have been on SS and medicaid I for about five years now. I am applying for survivors social security based on his record, but what I dont know is will i have to serve the two year waiting period for Medicare or since I am already on SSI and been determined disabled for over two years will I receive Medicare right away?

Hi. You don't mention your age so I can't be very specific, but if you qualify for disabled widow's benefits (DWB) then yes it's possible that you could qualify for Medicare as early as the first month of your DWB entitlement. SSI disability entitlement can be used to meet both the 5 month waiting period and 24 month qualifying period normally required for Medicare eligibility based on DWB (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0411015020).

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Jul 25 2022 - 3:10pm
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