Can a wife get social security benefits from her deceased husband?
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Can a wife get social security benefits from her deceased husband?
Husband died in Montana, 2007, death certificates shows widowed. Wife is alive, lives in Arizona. Couple separated many years. Can she get benefits?
Asked on June 12, 2009 under Estate Planning, Oregon
Answers:
N. K., Member, Iowa and Illinois Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
Yes, a surviving wife can receive Social Security benefits. However, since the husband's death certificate shows that he was widowed, the wife will have to prove that she is in fact the surviving wife.
She should contact the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213) and speak to a representative about what she needs to do to prove her status as a surviving spouse.
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