Disabled widow benefits are there to help those who need help. However, they can be complicated to gain approval for. Keep reading to learn what is required to get approved for these benefits. If you have a question or are in need of a legal consultation contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542.
You must be between the ages of 50 and 60
The widow or widower must be at last 50 but not yet 60 years old. Even if the impairment existed prior to the person turning 50, they cannot receive disability benefits through DWB for the months leading up to their 50th birthday.
You must prove your relationship to the deceased
If you were married to the deceased then it should be easy to prove that you are their widow or widower. However, if you had a common law marriage or were registered domestic partners, you might have additional steps to take to prove that you are legally the widow or widower.
You must prove you are disabled
The requirements for proving you are owed DWB is the same as proving any other disability with the Social Security Agency. If you are not sure if you qualify, you can review the guidelines posted by the SSA or you can contact a SSDI attorney to get help.
You must prove you were disabled before the end of the prescribed period
You must have become disabled within a certain time frame as the law lays out. If you have visited the doctor regularly and have clear medical evidence of your disability, then this step can be easy. In other instances, you might need an attorney to make the case for you.
You must file an application in most cases
It is possible that there is an automatic conversion from a spouse’s benefit. However, in most cases you will need to file an application. These can be complicated applications that require evidence and a lot of paperwork. There are deadlines that must be met and missing one of them could require you to start over or render you ineligible altogether.
Contact us for help with your DWB application or appeal
If you believe you are owed benefits and are not sure what to do, we invite you to contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 for help. We know this is a difficult time and it can be made worse by complicated processes and red tape. We are here to make it easier – just call us now for help.