Jo, your right, it could go either way.

Janke, to qualify you have to be over 50 and disabled during or before the marriage or within a month of the divorce. So if a person was 22 and only married for short time they would not qualify. Also, a husband at around that age of 22 would not have a full 10 years of credits required for anyone to collect. If a 22 year old was on disablity at that age her check would be more than what survivorship would bring since they go by the average of work history of the deceased spouse. Social Security will only pay out the greater amount of the two. In other words if a 22 year is disabled and already getting Social Security she would not qualify for suvivorhsip because it would be less than her disability Social Security. Now when talking about how someone at that age can collect SS disability I haven't a clue but know they can. Children can collect SS disability while still living with parents.

Barbara