Calling that number might well have been the first step in the process. My recollection of many of the details is fuzzy as I didn't quite have all my wits about me at the time. I'm probably still short a wit or two.Thsnk you for all the information.My experience after DW passed in 2023 (YMMV):
Initially I did nothing as I assumed I would not be entitled to additional benefits.
Several months after she passed I received a call purporting to be from SSA asking me for personal info to determine if I was entitled to additional benefits. After a brief discussion I was not convinced the caller was affilliated with SS, nor did the contact info I requested satisfy me so I terminated the call. Not long after that I became curious enough to check SS's website and followed the links provided re: Survivor's benefits. As best I recall, this is how it proceeded:
I completed a short form and was offered the option of a telephone appt which I accepted. I think it was several days before I got the scheduled call from a national/regional office of SS. After providing info about me and my deceased spouse, I was informed that I might indeed be entitled to additional benefits, but that I would need to complete that process through my local SS office. As I recall, they scheduled a telephone appt with the local office for me which was a few weeks later.
When I received the call as scheduled, I again provided all the same information (and possibly a bit more). The person did some calculating and informed me of the approximate monthly increase in benefits I would likely receive. However, they did need a couple of documents before my application would be approved. I think there were two items, but the only one I recall now was a certified (I think, I forget the exact terminology) copy of our marriage license. I asked about a death certificate and was informed that they already had a copy of that--not sure exactly how but it is the government. I was told that I would need to mail that documentation to them and they would return it or I could schedule an appt to bring it to the local office. After I got the appropriate copy of our ML, I scheduled an appt at the local office. I took the item(s) in as scheduled, met with a SS employee who made copies and returned the originals to me, and I was walking out the door in less than 20 minutes total.
IMO it is well worth the time to initiate the process by following the instructions on the SSA website as the process is very simple even if drawn out over a period of time. I assume that it will be a very short process if no additional benefits are warranted.
The primary thing I would advise is that you inform your MIL that she will be receiving phone calls from various people after her spouse's death and they may or may not be who they represent themselves to be. That is one reason I would encourage you to advise her to initiate contact with SS. Then she will know who she is talking with and what the appropriate process is for her to follow.
ETA: I had already been collecting SS. DW had not yet filed for benefits. SSA did not automatically do anything--with the possible exception of contacting me by phone if that was indeed an SSA employee, which I still have serious doubts about.
Since your in-laws were both receiving benefits I guess it is possible that they could/would make the connections automatically, but I seriously doubt that would be the case.
I’m sorry about your wife.
I could not find a form at ssa.gov that appeared correct.
I did find this link that involved a phone call: https://www.ssa.gov/apply?benefits=surv ... &age=adult
Thanks for the wishes.
Statistics: Posted by Doom&Gloom — Tue Jan 28, 2025 5:05 pm
