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SSA logo: link to Social Security Online home 515. How is "disability" defined for determining entitlement for disabled widow(er)'s benefits?

For title II, the definition of "disability" for determining your entitlement to disabled widow(er)'s benefits is the same as that shown for disabled workers in §507.1. This definition applies to disabled widow(er)'s benefits payable January 1991 or later.

(See Chapter 6 for a further explanation of how disability is evaluated.)

Note: The following may not be used to establish disabled widow(er)'s benefits:

  1. Impairments or the aggravation of preexisting impairments related to the commission of a felony after October 19, 1980, for which you are convicted; or

  2. Impairments or the aggravation of preexisting impairments related to your confinement for committing such a crime.

Last Revised: Mar. 1, 2004

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Last reviewed or modified Tuesday Jan 22, 2008

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