Burt Schleiger v. Social Security Administration

Benton, Washington, social security disability lawyer represented the Plaintiff seeking review of the denial by HHS of his application for Social Security: DIWC/DIWW benefits.



DIWC and DIWW are abbreviations for different Social Security disability programs

. DIWC stands for "Disabled Insured Widow's Claim," which provides benefits to a disabled widow or widower who is at least 50 years old and whose deceased spouse was insured under Social Security. DIWW stands for "Disabled Insured Worker," a separate Social Security disability program for workers who are unable to work due to a long-term disability and have paid into the system through their own work history.

Disabled Insured Widow's Claim (DIWC)



Eligibility: A surviving spouse who is age 50 or older and is found to be disabled.

Spouse's Status: The deceased spouse must have been insured under the Social Security program.

Disability: The widow or widower must become disabled within seven years of their spouse's death. If the widow/widower is 60 or over, they don't have to be found disabled, but still need to meet the other requirements, including being 50 or older.



Disabled Insured Worker (DIWW)



Eligibility: A disabled worker who has paid into the Social Security system through work.

Disability: The worker must be unable to engage in any "substantial gainful activity" due to a medically determinable impairment that is expected to last at least one year or result in death.

Benefit structure: Monthly benefits are paid to the disabled worker and eligible family members.

Work requirements: The number of work credits needed depends on your age when the disability began, with a general requirement of 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years.

Waiting period: A five-month waiting period is required before the first benefit payment can be issued.



How they relate to each other



Both are Social Security programs that provide cash benefits for people with disabilities.

The key difference is that DIWC benefits are based on a deceased spouse's work record, while DIWW benefits are based on the individual's own work record.

10/16/2025 16 ORDER GRANTING 10 PLAINTIFF'S MOTION; denying 14 Defendant's Motion to Reverse and Remand for Additional Proceedings. Case is closed. Signed by Magistrate Judge Alexander C Ekstrom. (AY, DQA) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

10/16/2025 17 JUDGMENT In a Civil Action in favor of Burt Schleiger against Frank Bisignano. (AY, DQA) (Entered: 10/16/2025)