Hi,
My name is Joella and my husband John passed away a month ago. John was on social Security disability
My question is will I be able to collect widow survivor Support even though I am on Social Security disability myself

Hi Joella,

I'm sorry for your loss.

The answer to your question depends on your age and the amounts of your Social Security disability benefit (SSDI) and your husband's SSDI. You couldn't receive both benefits in full, and if your own SSDI rate is higher than your husband's SSDI rate then you wouldn't be eligible for any monthly widow's benefits from his record.

However, if your husband's SSDI rate was higher than your SSDI rate, then you could likely qualify for at least some benefits from his record if you are at least age 50. In that event, your unreduced widow's rate would be calculated as the difference between your and your husband's SSDI rates, but if you are below full retirement age (FRA) your widow's rate would be reduced for age. If you are between 50 and 60 and qualify for disabled widow's benefits, your widow's rate would be reduced by 28.5% but would revert to the full unreduced rate when you reach FRA.

If you haven't already done so, it sounds like you should contact Social Security to see if you qualify for survivor benefits on your husband's record. You would likely at least be eligible for a one-time payment of $255.

Best, Jerry