Beginning with monthly benefits payable for 01/91, the definition of disability for
surviving divorced spouses and widow(er)s is the same as for all other Title II claimants;
i.e., based on the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA), see
policy in DI 10105.065. The same policies and procedures are used as in any other Title II disability claim,
including a consideration of vocational factors (age, education, and work experience).
NOTE: A widow(er) may meet the insured status requirements for disability insurance benefit
(DIB) purposes on his or her own account and may, therefore, file two claims—one for
disabled widow(er)s’ benefits (DWB) and one for DIB. Since the definition of disability
for DWB was more restrictive than the definition of disability for DIB for monthly
benefits for months prior to 01/91, it was possible for the DWB claim to be denied
for any such month even though the DIB claim was allowed.