widow

I just heard from a friend who lost his wife that I should of filed a claim for a SS one time benefit when my husband passed away in 2004. I believe I spoke with Social Services and they may have mentioned I could file for a one time benefit of $255.00 In my grief I thought it meant if I accepted it that would be all I would get in benefits for the rest of my life, so I did not pursue the situation. In the time frame of 04/05 I had buried first my father second my husband a brother in law, and my mother, lost my job and our family owned business, I was not thinking clearly. I recently visited an office in my neighborhood and your worker just flat looked at me with no sympathy and said the 2 year limit is the law not to stress it is only "$255.00 I did not qualify", with tears I walked out a bit upset. Anyway your phone operators seemed to be much more in tune with my situation and encourage me to follow up on receiving my death benefit. That's when I decided to visit the local office.