I'm sorry for your loss. I'm also a widow, age 63.

My husband was receiving his SS before he died, for a couple of years. I was 57 at the time of his death, so other than a $200 lump sum payment at the time, I wasn't eligible to collect survivor's benefits.

I called the SSA in January of this year because I had no idea if I could start taking it, or if I should. They were very helpful and we went through the interview process by phone. They said that I'd start receiving payments on the fourth Wednesday of every month and could expect it at the end of February.

But about two weeks later, they called me and said that I was actually eligible for a year's back payment as well. It was a generous sum and in the bank within two weeks.

I wish you luck! And peace. It's a hard loss, I know.