Widower is too young to collect benefits

DEAR CARRIE: When my wife passed away last year, she was collecting Social Security disability benefits. Am I entitled to collect from her benefits? She was 62 years old when she passed. I am 57 years old and still employed. — Widower’s Inquiry

DEAR WIDOWER’S INQUIRY: I’m afraid you’re too young to start collecting widower’s benefits.

Surviving spouses can collect widow or widower benefits in the following scenarios, said Linda Lauria, a Social Security Administration spokeswoman: If they are at least 60; if they are between 50 and 59 and disabled; and at any age if a child they had with the deceased is under age 16 or disabled and in the surviving spouse’s care.

“Since it doesn’t appear that he is disabled, he would not be eligible for widower’s benefits at this time,” Lauria said.

And since you didn’t mention it, I am assuming that you also aren’t caring for an underage or disabled child.

You might qualify for a $255 lump sum death payment now, if you and your wife were living together at the time of her death, Lauria said.

You have two years from the date of her death to apply for that one-time benefit, Lauria said.

DEAR CARRIE: I am 64 years old and have taught pre-school for the past 10 years at a private Christian institution. I am also in charge of the school’s program. I was recently caught off guard when the school administrator told me she believes I’ve been slowing down. And she later informed me that my services were no longer required and that I would be let go at the end of this school year.

I live alone and will need some income. I am not ready to file for Social Security benefits. Would I qualify for unemployment benefits? I am unsure because the school is a private entity and no unemployment insurance is paid into the system. I’ve read the state unemployment-insurance guidelines but find them so confusing. Can you assist me in my research, or should I just visit the unemployment office at the end of the school year? — TEACHER’S REQUEST

DEAR TEACHER’S REQUEST: The message from the New York State Labor Department is that you should apply, even though you work at a private religious school. That shouldn’t exclude you from collecting benefits, unless you are a member of the clergy.

You’ll have to meet other criteria for eligibility, but losing a job is certainly the first step.

As soon as you stop working, call the Labor Department’s Telephone Claims Center at 1-888-209-8124 to file for benefits or apply online. Since the unemployment system is largely automated, you should try one of those avenues first.

You didn’t bring up discrimination, but I think it’s worth mentioning since the administrator’s not-too-subtle remarks about your slowing down were followed by her announcement that you would be let go. That could indicate age discrimination. You should mention that to the administrator. You should also consider seeking some guidance from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC enforces laws that prohibit age discrimination in the workplace. You can reach the agency online at eeoc.gov.