Social Question

Dutchess_III's avatar

Can I receive my husband's SSA?

Asked by Dutchess_III (47068points) 1 week ago

Rick passed on Oct 3. It is my understanding that I can opt to recieve his SS amount instead of mine. His is over 4 times what I recieve.
I spoke to the SSA a couple of weeks ago and the lady wouldn’t commit. All she would say was “Possibly.”
Anyone familiar with this?

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19 Answers

Dutchess_III's avatar

Can you tell me what it takes to qualify for medicaid?

SnipSnip's avatar

It is not completely cut and dry. Get the booklet from the SS website on claiming benefits from husband’s record.

jca2's avatar

If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, call 1–800-772–1213 (TTY 1–800-325–0778). You can speak to one of our representatives between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office.

(from the link I posted. I would call the 800 number, not your local office).

@SnipSnip I gave her the state of Kansas site and contact info.

Dutchess_III's avatar

It’s so damn convoluted.
What do I do with my pets if I move to assisted living?
And how do I pay for it? It’s so damn convoluted. Do I stick with my SSI to stay under the income limit instead of taking Ricks?

jca2's avatar

One suggestion, call an assisted living place and talk to their social worker. Ask about the pets and the income issue. Ask if Medicaid will cover the costs. Tell them your situation and say you’re looking at your options.

canidmajor's avatar

Very often, your local senior center will have advisors that can help you navigate this stuff.

smudges's avatar

I’d talk to the local senior center if it was me; they don’t have a vested interest.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Thanks. I’ll get on it tomorrow
Everyone is closed today.

JLeslie's avatar

Call Social Security. They probably will make you an appointment. If you can’t go down to the office I assume they can accommodate that somehow.

Typically, a wife gets half their husband’s SS if it is more than her own SS. If he dies first then she can get his whole amount in lieu of the half. There are rules about how long the couple was married to be eligible. There are also rules regarding how old you are if you can get 100%. It’s confusing.

I used wife for this illustration I made the wife the person who earned less during their career, because it is your situation. The rules are actually genderless

filmfann's avatar

My Mom did.

SnipSnip's avatar

Most states have no assistance for assisted living. Medicaid is there for nursing homes though. The government will use up all of your assets then continue to pay your charges. You have to have a qualifying medical problem to obtain admission to a nursing home. Your medical doctor can help with that if he thinks it would be a positive move for you.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Well I can’t walk or stand for long therefore I can’t cook or clean for myself.
I need assistance, not nursing.

SnipSnip's avatar

I hope you can arrange for home help. I don’t know what it takes to get it, but I know people who have it.

MrGrimm888's avatar

I wish I had some advice, but I don’t.
I’m very sorry about all of these problems Dutch.
I think you would be best living with assistance, as long as possible.
Once people transition into a “home,” it is typically a permanent lifestyle change.
For some, it’s a huge upgrade.
For others, who like things a certain way, they often regret going to such places.

Hang in there. Musk is practically above Vance, to Trump. Obviously, he’s just playing Trump to help him with his own ventures. AI/robotics, are one of his best areas.
You may have a robot assistant in a year or two…

LifeQuestioner's avatar

I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, @Dutchess_III. If you mentioned it in an earlier question or response, I may have missed it because sometimes I take breaks from the site. I don’t have much to tell you except that I know my mom had the same option when my dad passed and she was able to take his social security. She only worked a couple of years full-time before she met my dad and they got married and had my brother. At that point she stayed at home to take care of us kids and didn’t go back to work again. My dad worked his whole adult life so his Social Security was much better.

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