Survivor's Benefit After Death of Spouse Receiving SSDI

[mplsmutt]

Hello and thanks in advance for any insights or expertise provided.

Background:
• Father diagnosed with esophageal and bladder cancer 2009.
• Receiving SSDI and 3rd party long term care disability mid-2011.
• Father died May 2012 at 63.
• Mother (62) requested early start for social security benefits; awarded and has been receiving since Jan 2012.
• Notified SSA first week June 2012 of father’s death.
• Primary concern is determining the correct amount of social security award to my mother as surviving spouse (father made considerably more in income).
• Father was Vietnam Vet (2 tours) if this info changes any consideration.

Questions:
• Are social security disability amounts awarded prior to retirement age (65) full retirement amounts or reduced amounts? From what I read, this appears to be as if full retirement benefit is awarded for disability despite being under 65.

• Will my mother be awarded survivor benefits based on the amount of my father’s SSDI or an amount based as if he took early social security?
Example:
Father current SSDI award amount: $2,000
Father projected SS ‘early’ award amount: $1,500
Mother current SS ‘early’ retirement award amount: $ 500
What could my mother expect to receive and why.

• Aren’t SSDI benefits paid in arrears? i.e. we received a May payment which would have been for April’s benefit month. SSA has stated to us in letter that they have overpaid May in the amount of my father’s benefit – obviously this does not make sense if May’s payment was for April…we were expecting this for June though.

I apologize in advance if these are rudimentary questions, I am really just trying to prepare as best as possible to discuss with SSA and could use any and all expertise.

Thanks.

[Mr. Knowitall]

The SSA answers your question about the repayment, here. "Social Security benefits are not pro-rated. To be entitled to a Social Security benefit check for a given month, the person must be alive the entire month. No benefit is payable for the month of death."

Upon the death of your spouse, a Social Security recipient should be eligible to receive the larger of the recipient's existing benefit or the spouse's benefit, but not both.