If you are the widow or widower of a person who worked long enough under Social Security , you can receive full benefits at full retirement age for survivors or reduced benefits as early as age
You generally will not need to file an application for survivors benefits if you are getting benefits on your spouse
By the way, it's for survivor benefits. May I file for a survivor's benefits?
you should apply for survivors benefits promptly because , in some cases , benefits may not be retroactive