She could claim SS benefits on his earnings record rather than her own, if his record would produce a better result, but that is about all. Make an appointment with your local SSA office for her to talk to them about what possibilities exist.Sorry, new to this and sent before I was finish. My mother is a Texas resident but is visiting me in Oklahoma. Should my elderly mom (next month turns 75yrs old) appeal to get a bigger increase on SS check? What exactly is an appeal and is it in her best interest? She was with her abusive controlling ex husband for almost 20 years. She divorced him three years ago when she became ill and needed to be taken care of. He didn't want anything to do with her and wanted her to stay at a senior living home at her cost. She was a school cafeteria and school janitor most of her life so she could not afford such expensive. He was in the military when he was younger and he worked as an airplane mechanic until he retired. He recently passed away in August. During the divorce settlement she was only given a 15+ plus year old truck with no air condition and that's basically it. She did not receive spousal support or any type of financial support. He paid everything in cash ie: house, truck/vehicles etc... .
Her attorney did not fight for her and even though she didn't fully understood everything going on, she signed papers. She wasn't going to sign papers at the end but since the case was already in courts hands, she thought she had not choice since either way something was going to happen with or without her signature. It's a sad situation as my mother does not have a permanent place of her own. She doesn't say it but you can tell she is not happy with her living situation and not knowing what to do.
She's basically starting over at 75, a new life that she never saw coming.
Call 1-800-772-1213 and make an appointment for an application for widow's benefits. It is not an appeal. An appeal is a disagreement with a notice that was sent and has to be filed within 60 days.Sorry, new to this and sent before I was finish. My mother is a Texas resident but is visiting me in Oklahoma. Should my elderly mom (next month turns 75yrs old) appeal to get a bigger increase on SS check? What exactly is an appeal and is it in her best interest? She was with her abusive controlling ex husband for almost 20 years. She divorced him three years ago when she became ill and needed to be taken care of. He didn't want anything to do with her and wanted her to stay at a senior living home at her cost. She was a school cafeteria and school janitor most of her life so she could not afford such expensive. He was in the military when he was younger and he worked as an airplane mechanic until he retired. He recently passed away in August. During the divorce settlement she was only given a 15+ plus year old truck with no air condition and that's basically it. She did not receive spousal support or any type of financial support. He paid everything in cash ie: house, truck/vehicles etc... .
Her attorney did not fight for her and even though she didn't fully understood everything going on, she signed papers. She wasn't going to sign papers at the end but since the case was already in courts hands, she thought she had not choice since either way something was going to happen with or without her signature. It's a sad situation as my mother does not have a permanent place of her own. She doesn't say it but you can tell she is not happy with her living situation and not knowing what to do.
She's basically starting over at 75, a new life that she never saw coming.
She got a letter from SSA so she did apply??? You didn't say anything about her having actually applied for widow's benefits already.Thank you both for your advice, I greatly appreciate it. When she called social security the first time, they were no help to her. They either didn't understand what she was asking or they blew her questions off. She was wondering how that figure came about, could it be a higher amount and if it would benefit her if she was to appeal that amount. The SSA letter stated if she did not agree with amount given that she can appeal and they will review it but seems risky if amount can be lowered. Is there free/low cost attorney/lawyer to help and represent her? Would she be able to do this over the phone and emails since she visiting me in Oklahoma. Would OK SSA office be able to help her while she's here with me even though she's not OK resident. She been with me since end of June but will most likely return to Texas in Decenber but she has no set date. She received this letter last month and according to the letter, she has sixty days if she wants to appeal amount. I will call SSA office again and hopefully, I can get some answers. I will call the number you recommended and see if they can help as well. Thank you again,
Sally