According to the SSA’s Program Operational Manual System (POMS)
Effective Dates: 12/09/2022 – Present
DI 10110.001 Requirements for Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits (DWB)
A. Attain Age 50
To be eligible for DWB benefits, a widow(er) must have attained age 50, but not attained age 60.
- Monthly benefits to a widow(er) on the basis of disability are not payable for months before the attainment of age 50 even though the impairment may have existed before age 50.
- If a widow(er) receiving “D” benefits, i.e., benefits paid to widows(er)s age 60 and older, becomes disabled after attaining age 60 and is still within the prescribed period, he or she may file a DWB claim for Medicare entitlement purposes.
The key factors that must be addressed when filing a claim for WB include:
- Prove relationship to the deceased number holder
- Prove disability under the Social Security Act
- Found disabled before the end of the Prescribed Period
- File an Application
- Compete the Disability Report
- Serve the Required Waiting Period (5 Full Consecutive Calendar Months) when seeking entitlement of cash benefits and medicare coverage.
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