What amount does widow get from social security?

Question

Father passed Aug.9/2006, Social Security called and did her application over phone, told her she'd get around $800.00 a month. But she gets letter today showing a lump some of $255.00, is this all she get. Father retired from Air Force, also worked for the V.A. hospital as a physician assistant, was on workman's comp., but upon death retirement kick in. My father had been working since the age of 17. Besides the $255.00, will my mother receive anything else from social security.

Answer 1

Yes, she will. The $255 is a one time death benefit payable to a surviving spouse. She will begin recieving the larger of the two benefits, if your father's was a larger amount, she will now get his amount.

Answer 2

The 255.00 is probably towards the funeral expenses. That is all they give towards a burial. she can apply for a widows pension but the amount does depend on all the earnings. write all your questions down and call or go to social security office. Do not leave until you get all the correct answers

Answer 3

The $255 is a one time death benefit payable to a surviving spouse. According to Title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

404.338 How is the amount of my widow's or widower's benefit calculated?

"Your widow's or widower's monthly benefit is equal to the insured person's primary insurance amount. If the insured person died before reaching age 62 and you are first eligible after 1984, we may compute a special primary insurance amount to determine the amount of your monthly benefit (see §404.212(b)). We may increase your monthly benefit amount if the insured person earned delayed retirement credit after full retirement age (as defined in §404.409) by working or by delaying filing for benefits (see §404.313). The amount of your monthly benefit may change as explained generally in §404.304. In addition, your monthly benefit will be reduced if the insured person was entitled to old-age benefits that were reduced for age because he or she chose to receive them before attaining full retirement age. In this instance, your benefit is reduced, if it would otherwise be higher, to either the amount the insured would have been entitled to if still alive or 82½ percent of his or her primary insurance amount, whichever is larger."

Source: http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0338.htm

Answer 4

Yes, she should recieve his social security benefits as a monthly payment as they described. I'm curious as to what the letter she received today said.

Answer 5

go back to SS office and deal with it personally....take all documents...the $800/mo was probably the correct one....you are dealing with affirmative action dimwits and you need to take charge of your affairs...