My wife has terminal cancer. She's 61 without insurance. She quit work January 2018 but didn't tell them or me that she was ill.

My question is, can I get her qualified for benefits? I'm at a total loss. Don't know what steps to take.

Hi,

I'm very sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis.

The only thing that I could suggest with regard to Social Security would be for your wife to file for disability benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.05/handbook-0501.html). Assuming that she qualifies, it sounds like she may be eligible for back pay. She would not, however, immediately qualify for Medicare. Medicare eligibility doesn't start until the earlier of a) age 65, or b) a person's 25th month of entitlement to disability benefits.

Unfortunately, Social Security is my only area of expertise so I don't know what other health insurance options may be available to your wife.

Best, Jerry