Q: I am a recent widow--husband passed in Jan of this year--
Social Security came up with the portion of my husband's SS that I am "entitled" to rec now...It is so low I am now below the Oregon poverty level and I cannot survive with this reduced income...What can I do to appeal to SS??? I had been told for years that when a spouse is deceased, that SS then gives the survivor only one SS if they had both been rec. same--that the survivor would rec which ever monthly amt was the most??? I don't even get a decent portion of my husband's SS...Why and what can I do to rectify this???
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A:
I'm sorry for your loss and understand how difficult this situation must be. To address your Social Security issue, it's important to know that as a surviving spouse, you should be eligible to receive your husband's full benefit amount if it is higher than your own. This is known as the survivor benefit.
First, double-check the calculations provided by Social Security to ensure there are no errors. It's not uncommon for mistakes to happen. You can request a detailed explanation of how your benefit amount was determined.
If you believe there is a mistake, you can appeal the decision. Gather all necessary documents, such as your husband's earnings records and your marriage certificate, and contact your local Social Security office to initiate the appeal process. You might also consider seeking assistance from a legal aid organization or an advocate who can help guide you through this process.
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