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Losing a spouse is not only tremendously difficult to process, but it also entails a lot of practical struggles. Fortunately, government and nonprofit programs can help supplement your income and provide assistance with housing, food and medical costs. Additionally, there are some benefits specifically tailored to widows of veterans and widows with children.
While grieving takes time, financial help for widows can provide support at a crucial moment.
If you’ve recently lost your spouse and need immediate financial assistance, read below for a list of programs and organizations that may be able to help. If you’re looking for specific support, click one of the links below to jump directly to the section you need.
The Social Security Administration provides survivor benefits for widows, including both a lump-sum payment and ongoing benefits for those who qualify.
The lump-sum payment amounts to $255 in 2021, while monthly payments can be up to several thousand dollars. A widow who retires at age 70 can receive up to $3,895 each month in Social Security payments in 2021.
Here’s how to know if you may be eligible for Social Security benefits:
The survivor benefits scale depending on the age of the recipient, the number of years the deceased spouse worked and the circumstances of the widow or any children.
To claim Social Security benefits, you’ll need to make an appointment and visit your local Social Security Administration office—benefits cannot be claimed online or over the phone.
Often, a widow’s family members are most willing to help—and in many cases, they are able to do so as well. Many children are in their prime earning years when their parents die, which means that they could provide some financial support to help a widow in a crucial time.
Federal tax law allows for an individual child to give their widowed parent up to $15,000 each year without tax burden, and a married couple is able to give up to $30,000. Because sharing money within a family can be difficult, it’s important that everyone understands whether this money is a gift or a zero-interest loan.
Even if money is tight within a family, many people are still often able to provide their grieving parent with a place to stay either temporarily or long term.
Widows who are struggling with their own health issues can find a variety of resources to provide reduced-cost or free healthcare.
Here are some of the options to explore:
There are thousands of programs nationwide to support widows managing specific health conditions or provide ongoing medical, dental and vision care to those who have lost a spouse.
For widows who need help finding housing or paying for their current housing, several government programs and nonprofit organizations can offer support. Support from the Department of Housing and Urban Development can potentially limit housing costs to 30 percent of monthly adjusted income.
Look at some of the following resources to get assistance with housing:
With local and federal support, it’s possible to continue to afford your housing or find a suitable alternative in a difficult time.
If you are struggling to pay for food or have immediate food needs, programs exist to support widows in difficult financial situations.
The following programs and organizations may be able to help:
If you are struggling with the loss of your spouse and cannot provide food for yourself at the moment, reach out right away to one of the organizations above to get the support you need.
After your spouse dies, you may find yourself overwhelmed by debt—from credit cards, medical bills, a mortgage or other loans.
While many people think that debt disappears after you die, that isn’t always the case. You may be responsible for your spouse’s debt in either of the following situations:
Since estate law varies from one place to another, it’s important to consult an attorney to determine which debt you actually owe.
If you’re struggling to pay debt after losing your spouse, consider some of the following options:
No matter what kind of debt you’re dealing with after losing your partner, it’s possible to get your financial life back on track.
For widows who need support filing their taxes or managing their credit, there are programs that offer free services.
Consider reaching out to some of the following programs:
Taking advantage of these resources can be a vital lifeline as you adjust to your new financial life without your spouse.
For widows with children or who are pregnant, there are special programs to help you take care of your kids despite financial difficulties.
Reach out to any of the following organizations for support:
Utilize these programs to help provide for your children as you work through the hardship of losing your spouse.
Widows of veterans may be eligible for special benefits to support themselves after the loss of their spouse. The potentially includes a payment of $100,000 to widows whose partners died in the line of duty.
Information about all of the following resources for widows of military service members can be found on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website.
The VA may be able to provide you with some of the following benefits, depending on your particular circumstance:
Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to see which benefits you may be eligible for as the widow of a military veteran.
In addition to the financial burdens of losing your spouse, there are tremendous emotional hurdles to overcome. This is especially true for older women, as 58 percent of those over the age of 75 have experienced the loss of a spouse.
You can reach out to any of these organizations to get support with the process of grieving the death of your spouse.
Losing a spouse is one of life’s most difficult challenges. Whether you were married for decades or became a widow at a young age, processing the loss of your closest partner is an enormous struggle.
When you’re also struggling financially, the emotional burden can continue to weigh on you as you manage difficulties with housing, food, debt, credit or childcare. As you continue your journey, use the resources above to get the support you need to work through this challenging time.
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