There are some government programs available to assist widows with their finances, but don’t count on getting much money from them. The best advice is to go online to Benefits.gov where you will find more than 1,000 state and federal agencies that offer help. Here are a few of the prominent one’s worth looking into.
Social Security Widow Benefits
Social Security is an important resource available. You can apply for Social Security benefits online, make an appointment with the local Social Security office or simply walk-in and see if an agent is available.
Depending on what benefits you are applying for, you will need to present certain documents. Here is a list of benefits and what you’ll need to qualify for them:
- Widows/Widowers or Surviving Divorced Spouse’s Benefits
- Child’s Benefits
- Mother’s or Father’s Benefits (Child must be under age 16 or disabled in your care)
- Lump-Sum Death Payment
- Parent’s Benefits (You must be dependent on your child at the time of his or her death)
A one-time payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased; or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record.
Monthly Social Security benefits may be available to a widow or widower age 60 or older (50 or older if disabled), a surviving divorced spouse in some circumstances and a widow/widower of any age who is caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and already receiving benefits.
If the deceased worked long enough under Social Security, the widow/widower can receive full benefits at the full retirement age or reduced benefits as young as 60. The amount of the benefit depends on the earnings of the deceased. The more they paid into Social Security, the greater the benefits.
Financial Assistance for Widows of Veterans
When military personnel die as a result of their service, their spouses are entitled to a death gratuity, which currently is $100,000. It is free from federal and state income taxes for any service member who dies while on active duty or while performing authorized travel to or from active duty.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors or veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
Other Government Programs, Grants and Nonprofits for Widows
Let’s start with the bad news: There are no government grants specifically for people who lose a spouse. There are, however, grants to address specific needs, including needs that the widowed often encounter. Again, the best to start is Benefits.gov, which provides links to government benefits in every state.
Housing assistance is available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition to public housing that provides affordable apartments for low-income tenants, HUD provides what’s known as Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program that can pay for all or part of rent, and also helps apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants.
Widows looking to improve their long-term finances through higher education may be able to get Pell grants of up to $6,895 per year that are available through the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office.
The United Way, the largest privately funded nonprofit in the world, is not set up to provide individual assistance, but works with many community partners who do. Call 211 to reach a referral specialist who will know what services are available in your area.
Dress for Success is another nonprofit that will help women achieve economic independence by providing support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and life.
Charities and Church Assistance for Widows
Most of the nonprofit organizations, churches and community groups that offer assistance to widows can be found online. They usually offer help on a one-time basis for things like food, housing, clothing, furniture and other basic needs. Here are some worth trying:
- The Liz Logelin Foundation provides short-term financial help to young families with dependent children during the first year after death to assist with rent or a house payment, utility bills, a child’s activity fees, lessons, school clothes, a special family outing or gifts for the children.
- Vincent de Paul Society is a part of many Catholic churches. SVDP deals specifically with people in a financial crisis. Their assistance usually is for needs such as rent, utilities, clothing, food and pharmacy needs.
- Wings for Widows provides financial coaching and education for new widows to help them achieve financial wellness after a spouse’s death. Their service is free.
- Modern Widows Club wants to empower widows to lean into life, build resilience and make a difference in society.
- Widow Connection provides skill training for widows for economic independence through books, DVD’s, journals, podcasts, and church resources and tools.
- Hope for Widows is a charitable giving organization developed by widowed women that strives to offset the financial challenges of and build a community among widowed women worldwide.
- Sisterhood of Widows is an online grief support site for widows, offering compassion and encouragement to help you stand on your own and say “Yes!” You can do it.
- American Widow Project has been helping military widows in their healing since 2007. For many military widows finding ways to provide hope and service in their own communities is a valuable part of the healing process.