HELP.. My mother has been divorced 32years.. and has Medicare, Medicade and SSI. She has chronic health issues... stroke related and needs caregivers several hours a day.. all of her medical care is covered and medicines... Recently my father passed away... she received a notice that she would receive widows benefits. At first glance that seems great; however this puts her above the income limit to receive the much needed medicade and SSI service..We do not want the widows benefit.. We went to Social Security and said we do not want to take the widows pension even thought she had been divorced 32 years... They said she must take this benefit..This compromises the health system we have set up and works well for her..!She will need to pay for supplements, health caregiver.. and this cost exceeds the amount of increased widows pension.. Help and advice appreciated. Thank You!!

Hi,

I'm sorry, but it sounds like what Social Security told you is correct. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs based payment, and recipients are required to file for any other benefits for which they could be entitled as a condition for SSI eligibility. If your mother is eligible for Social Security survivor benefits and refuses to file for them, her SSI benefits would likely be terminated, leaving her with neither the survivor benefits nor her SSI.

I'm not an expert on the Medicaid program, but it is also needs based so I would assume that it has requirements similar to SSI.

Best, Jerry