Q: Why do some people get both Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income? I'm severely disabled and only get SSI. — L.A., Orrville

A: In order to get both, you must qualify for both. To get Social Security disability benefits, you need to have worked long enough and recently enough and you need to have paid enough Social Security taxes. If you are not receiving Social Security benefits, that means you did not meet these qualifications. SSI, on the other hand, makes payments to people with low income and few resources who are disabled or blind, or who are age 65 or older. Since Social Security is considered income, many people who get Social Security have too much ''income'' to be eligible for SSI. But for some, when the Social Security payment is a small amount, both Social Security and SSI can be paid. For more information, visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov or call 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).

Q: My sister-in-law just had a baby who was born six weeks premature and only weighs about 4 pounds. I was told that premature infants can get Supplemental Security Income. Is this true? — R.F., Barberton

A: Certain low birth weight infants can receive SSI disability benefits, whether they are premature or not. The Social Security Web site at http://www.socialsecurity.gov includes a chart that shows the weight and gestational age at which children would qualify for benefits. The parents' income and resources will be considered when applying for the child.

Q: My husband died and my neighbor said I might qualify for widow's benefits. Do I qualify because of his passing? — C.J., Rootstown

A: In order for you to be eligible for survivors benefits, your spouse must have earned the required number of Social Security credits. If he did, the following becomes relevant:

• If you were born before 1940, you might be able to receive full benefits at age 65. But the age to receive full benefits is gradually increasing to age 67 for widows and widowers born in 1940 or later.

• You can receive reduced benefits as early as age 60.

• If you, as the surviving spouse, are disabled, you can get benefits as early as age 50.

• If you take care of the deceased worker's child who is entitled to a child's benefit and is younger than age 16 or disabled, you can receive benefits at any age. Your children also might be eligible for benefits.

For more information about survivors benefits, read our publication ''Survivors Benefits'' online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10084.html.