My husband died 2000. I started receiving my Social Security for disability on 2001. But never got a penny from my husband's social security. Now I am 68 and still questioning why SSA kept my husband check. One lady told me they keep it because mine was higher. We were married 17 years and not a penny I received from his. It's not fair.

Hi,

I'm sorry for your loss.

When a person is eligible for both widow's benefits and either Social Security disability (SSDI) or retirement benefits based on their own work record, they can't be paid both benefits at the same time. The most that they can be paid is the higher of the widow's rate or their own benefit rate. The only way that you could now be eligible for widow's benefits in addition to your own benefits is if your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than your PIA. I have no way of knowing whose PIA is higher in your case, but you should be able to find out by contacting Social Security and/or filing a claim for widow's benefits.

Best, Jerry