Guest guest Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Does anyone have experience with filing for Social Security Survivor Benefits? I have also applied for disability (since I can't get survivor benefits at my age unless designated disabled). They also had me apply for SSI. The reason for all this is that my ex-husband died on December 14th. We were married almost 21 years and have been divorced for 6 years. Since the divorce I have lived on alimony payments. The first weeks I had been concentrating on helping my daughters deal with his death, plan his memorial service and all other things that needed to be dealt with. It wasn't until the first got here that it really hit me that I have no money coming in at all. I did file for all the SS benefits the week after he died but was wondering if anyone knows how long it usually takes. They would only say anywhere from a month to 120 days. I got accepted into the Christian Clinic here so I can get medical treatment and my medications free for now. I've closed up my house and am living with my sister. I've been paying off medical bills for 2 years but the ones I have left are letting me not make payments for now, my bank is letting me pay only interest on my mortgage. My family is going to help as much as they can but I am so stressed that I am flaring very badly. I had been taking Humira but stopped as it wasn't working at all. I was never able to get disability on my own earnings as the years previous to Stills hitting I was a stay at home mom. So I got the expected denial letter on my own earnings. Today I got more paperwork for filing disability on my ex's earnings. How do you answer all these questions about what you can and can't do. I have days I can't get out of bed and days when I feel good and can do mostly normal things. I'm so afraid I'll screw this up and they will say I'm not disabled. I've had Stills for 20 years and have been lucky enough to have two remissions. But I also now have adrenal insufficiency because of the long term steroid use I've had to have. If I try to do too much, I pass out. I have thyroid problems, vasculitis, neuropathy, I could make a long list. But these are things that don't show. I am terrified they'll decide I'm not disabled and I don't know what I will do then. If I could work full time and support myself I would. I live in Arkansas and it is one of the hardest places to get disability. Except in a few cases. I know someone who got it immediately because she weighs over 500 pounds. All of her health problems are from her wieght but she gets disability. I have a chart a foot thick at the doctors and I'm not sure that matters. They'll probably focus on the section where I was in a remission for 4 years. I'm so tired and I haven't been able to rest since he died. We had made peace over the divorce and were friends again. He was worried about what would happen to me if he died. He was planning to change his life insuurance and put me as the beneficiary so I wouldn't have to worry. He had developed blood clots in his leg, was treated and thought it was gone but then they went to his lungs. He was getting better but died suddenly before he could get all of his affairs in order. Sorry this is so long. Aleeta -- mareed561@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Aleeta, I am so sorry for your loss and remember that it didn't take too long for my mom to get benefits but she just got the death benefit from SS. I would get a good SS attorney right now. You don't have to have money up front and get your papers filed for benefits right away. Call and do a phone interview and they use that date to start your claim if you start on your paperwork when they send it. It can be overwhelming and I imagine so when dealing with grief, but if you have a friend or someone that is willing to help even just for support to fill out the papers it will go easier. Just take each page and question one day at a time and answer with how you explained it here. Some days, hours your better, mostly not but you never have a well day! My advise is to not judge by the state you're in or others experiences because it can turn out differently for each and you never know so it will only make you sicker if you stress. I know it seems it may be easy for me to say and I wasn't able to take that advise when I was going through it but I speak from experience. You can call me any time if I can help or just be an ear to listen. Best wishes, -- Social Security Does anyone have experience with filing for Social Security Survivor Benefits? I have also applied for disability (since I can't get survivor Benefits at my age unless designated disabled). They also had me apply for SSI. The reason for all this is that my ex-husband died on December 14th. We Were married almost 21 years and have been divorced for 6 years. Since the Divorce I have lived on alimony payments. I was never able to get disability on my own earnings as the years previous To Stills hitting I was a stay at home mom. So I got the expected denial Letter on my own earnings. Today I got more paperwork for filing disability On my ex's earnings. How do you answer all these questions about what you Can and can't do. I have days I can't get out of bed and days when I feel Good and can do mostly normal things. I'm so afraid I'll screw this up and They will say I'm not disabled. I've had Stills for 20 years and have been Lucky enough to have two remissions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Aleeta, I am so sorry for your loss and remember that it didn't take too long for my mom to get benefits but she just got the death benefit from SS. I would get a good SS attorney right now. You don't have to have money up front and get your papers filed for benefits right away. Call and do a phone interview and they use that date to start your claim if you start on your paperwork when they send it. It can be overwhelming and I imagine so when dealing with grief, but if you have a friend or someone that is willing to help even just for support to fill out the papers it will go easier. Just take each page and question one day at a time and answer with how you explained it here. Some days, hours your better, mostly not but you never have a well day! My advise is to not judge by the state you're in or others experiences because it can turn out differently for each and you never know so it will only make you sicker if you stress. I know it seems it may be easy for me to say and I wasn't able to take that advise when I was going through it but I speak from experience. You can call me any time if I can help or just be an ear to listen. Best wishes, -- Social Security Does anyone have experience with filing for Social Security Survivor Benefits? I have also applied for disability (since I can't get survivor Benefits at my age unless designated disabled). They also had me apply for SSI. The reason for all this is that my ex-husband died on December 14th. We Were married almost 21 years and have been divorced for 6 years. Since the Divorce I have lived on alimony payments. I was never able to get disability on my own earnings as the years previous To Stills hitting I was a stay at home mom. So I got the expected denial Letter on my own earnings. Today I got more paperwork for filing disability On my ex's earnings. How do you answer all these questions about what you Can and can't do. I have days I can't get out of bed and days when I feel Good and can do mostly normal things. I'm so afraid I'll screw this up and They will say I'm not disabled. I've had Stills for 20 years and have been Lucky enough to have two remissions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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