Hello, all. I've been in a funk of dreary summer doldrums, missing Scott like mad while trying to take care of financial business. I recently had an experience with social security benefits that might be helpful to some of you.
I had not been contacted by the Social Security Administration about the "one time death benefit" of $255 (big whoop) but I knew I needed to do that at some point anyway (it is money, after all). I had put it off, then a friend of my husband's (who used to work for SS) called to say that I might be able to apply for a "disability after death" claim because from initial diagnosis to death, Scott had tried to work through the radiation and chemo but finally had to go on official leave from his job this past November. It seems that he had what is called an "unsuccessful work attempt" because he didn't work a complete three months for his fall teaching semester, so MAYBE I will get several months' back disability pay from November until May, when he died. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
The point, though, is that when I called the 800 number to make the appointment with my local SS office, the person on the phone told me I could not file a "disability after death" claim and pretty much made me feel stupid. So....I still took my husband's friend with me (the one who suggested I could file this claim) and it turns out you CAN do such a thing. It'll be a while before I hear the results, but at least it was worth a shot.
The next big thing I did not know about is that my youngest daugher can receive a check each month until she graduates high school (this check equals half my monthly salary!!). She's now 15. Again, the person on the phone at the SS headquarters pooh-poohed my questioning this because Sierra was his step child, I have a job, and I receive child support on her behalf...but I still brought it up when I went in for my scheduled appointment at the local office. After a lot of paperwork, we were successful with this claim.
I would never have known she could qualify for this benefit had Scott's friend not insisted I try for it. I had to prove that Scott provided for at least 50% of her financial care; I was skeptical that I could prove it although I knew he surely had. So, there's a way the social security officer calculated this using my salary, the child support I receive from my daughter's father (a pathetic amount), the number of people in the household, and then what my husband's salary was. The next thing I know the claims officer is telling me that my daughter will get a monthly check until she graduates high school and will also receive back pay to Scott's death, May, or if the disability claim comes through, back to that date, November.
Can you believe all this? I am so relieved and glad that I took Scott's friend's advice. What really shook me, though, is that there is a three month limit to filing a claim for survivor benefits for a child or step-child. It will be three months tomorrow. Had I not filed when I did, I would have lost tens of thousands of dollars for my youngest daughter (which I can use toward college savings, montly expenses, clothing, etc.).
So, be advised that when you call the 800 number for the Social Security Administration, the person on the phone may not necessarily know all the rules and laws pertaining to filing a claim. And they might make you feel like you are crazy or stupid, but don't let that stop you!
Christine
