Social Security Survivor Benefits to Widow/ers
Spouse Survivor benefits regardless of employment status
To whom it may concern:
My name is Nancy A. Urias, I am 48, single parent/widow. On March 4, 2009 my husband of 24 years passed away due to an illness that not only struck him but struck his father at the age of 45. My late husband was only 43 years old and left behind 3 beautiful daughters ages 25, 24 and 16, there ages now, as well as 3 beautiful grandchildren. My 16 year old at the time was only 12 years old when her father passed away. Never imagined our life to be turned upside down in a matter of moments.
This left our family with one less income not by choice. Many individuals have a choice in their retionships whether they want to stay in one or not. I had no choice which left me to turn to Social Security and one less income to live on.
Now at this time when you become a widow/er you are not focused, your mind is blurred and your thoughts are not where they should be. I sat down with a rep and completed the application for Survivor benefits. I was told that I was not eligible because I work full time and make too much money. Really I make too much money, seriously!!! But that I would be eligible for benefits for my youngest daughter. At the time I did not have the energy or the heart to pursue anything, all I wanted was my husband back. I didn't want to face life alone without him, he was our provider and took care of everything for us girls. Feeling out the application my eyes were burning with tears and thinking to myself how am I going to make it without him here on earth.
Approx. a year later I recieved a notice from Social Security stating that I was approved for Social Security because I was a parent of a minor child under the age of 16 at that time. I did call Social Security to verify that I was approved even though the fact that I was working full time. I was told yes you are approved because you are the parent. Which explains why so many widow/ers are frustrated with our Government.
2 years later I am faced with an overpayment from SS stating that they I owe them all that money back. Really you overpaid me for what you believe is not due to me now. Not only did they claim that they overpaid me but they took my daughter's benefits away from her. I am stuck with an overpayment that they claim I need to pay back (I am fighting this and I am going to win!) and with a life that will be one less income.
My petition - the laws need to change for all Widow/ers. No matter what your income or whether you have children or not you should be eligible for benefits. We did not choose this life, we didn't ask for our spouse to leave us and to leave us without that second income. Many of us depend on that one income and are left with nothing when something like this happens. Yes we are always told to prepare, but in all honesty as young as we were and some of us even younger, we don't prepare. We are left to walk in our journey alone until we meet again. So I ask that you hear us Widow/ers and ch
My name is Nancy A. Urias, I am 48, single parent/widow. On March 4, 2009 my husband of 24 years passed away due to an illness that not only struck him but struck his father at the age of 45. My late husband was only 43 years old and left behind 3 beautiful daughters ages 25, 24 and 16, there ages now, as well as 3 beautiful grandchildren. My 16 year old at the time was only 12 years old when her father passed away. Never imagined our life to be turned upside down in a matter of moments.
This left our family with one less income not by choice. Many individuals have a choice in their retionships whether they want to stay in one or not. I had no choice which left me to turn to Social Security and one less income to live on.
Now at this time when you become a widow/er you are not focused, your mind is blurred and your thoughts are not where they should be. I sat down with a rep and completed the application for Survivor benefits. I was told that I was not eligible because I work full time and make too much money. Really I make too much money, seriously!!! But that I would be eligible for benefits for my youngest daughter. At the time I did not have the energy or the heart to pursue anything, all I wanted was my husband back. I didn't want to face life alone without him, he was our provider and took care of everything for us girls. Feeling out the application my eyes were burning with tears and thinking to myself how am I going to make it without him here on earth.
Approx. a year later I recieved a notice from Social Security stating that I was approved for Social Security because I was a parent of a minor child under the age of 16 at that time. I did call Social Security to verify that I was approved even though the fact that I was working full time. I was told yes you are approved because you are the parent. Which explains why so many widow/ers are frustrated with our Government.
2 years later I am faced with an overpayment from SS stating that they I owe them all that money back. Really you overpaid me for what you believe is not due to me now. Not only did they claim that they overpaid me but they took my daughter's benefits away from her. I am stuck with an overpayment that they claim I need to pay back (I am fighting this and I am going to win!) and with a life that will be one less income.
My petition - the laws need to change for all Widow/ers. No matter what your income or whether you have children or not you should be eligible for benefits. We did not choose this life, we didn't ask for our spouse to leave us and to leave us without that second income. Many of us depend on that one income and are left with nothing when something like this happens. Yes we are always told to prepare, but in all honesty as young as we were and some of us even younger, we don't prepare. We are left to walk in our journey alone until we meet again. So I ask that you hear us Widow/ers and ch
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