I will like to know more widow(er) benefits. (Ssdi) this I know i,am intilliy it belongs to my wife dorothy who I was married to her for 34 years.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Widow(er) benefits can potentially be paid to a widow(er) as early as age 60, or at age 50 if they are disabled (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.04/handbook-0401.html). However, if a widow(er) claims benefits prior to their full retirement age (FRA), their benefit rate is reduced for age. Also, if the widow(er) is already drawing their own Social Security disability (SSDI) or retirement benefits, they can only be paid widow(er) benefits if the widow(er) rate is higher than their own rate.

If you're under FRA and drawing SSDI benefits, you could only qualify for widow(er) benefits if your deceased spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than your own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their full SSDI rate, or their Social Security retirement rate if they start drawing at FRA. I don't have enough information to give you any advice, but if you think there's a possibility that you may qualify for widow(er) benefits you can call Social Security to see about filing an application.

Best, Jerry