Hi. Sorry it took me so long to respond back. This has been a busy week. As far as I know the funeral home contaced social security right away for me. They told me that SSA would contact me. I do have an appt with them on April 16 to discuss the death benefit. Which is 255, I think. I wasn't sure if I would get the whole amount of my husband's social security or not. But as you said you just got a little less. That will help me a lot. My medical insurance and prescription coverage is very good as I worked 30 years for the state of pennsylvania. But I don't have vision or dental. It is through Aetna, but we don't get all the perks other insurance companies give their clients. My mom gets 125.00 every 3 months towards groceries and she can get that much in otc products. But I don't get any of that. Since I live an hour away from Pittsburgh, I am not close to any pawn shops. I am sure they have some there, but I try and stay as far away as I can from the city. I live in a rural area and the nearest grocery store is 15 minutes away. WalMart is 35 minutes away. But I would not trade where I live for a home in a big city. I would be afraid to live where you live. Pittsburgh has a lot of crime also, but not as much as seattle. I am not saying that our little towns are crime free. It happens around where I live but not often. It makes me sad that you have to pawn your wedding rings but you have to do what you have to do. If it is safer for you, then I don't blame you. My diamond is very small and would not net me very much anyhow. So far, I am still wearing it and my husband's ring on my other hand. Do you have family around where you live? How about children? I have two boys-one lives about 10 minutes away and the other 30 minutes away. They help me with things that I can't do. Yes, I believe it will take more time before I can get to his clothes. I walk into his room and walk right back out. I don't know whether or not I told you, but I am also dealing with Bells Palsy. Not sure if you are familiar with it but the 7th facial or cranial nerve (I am not sure which) becomes inflamed and causes one side of your face to become paralyzed. The right side of my mouth droops and my left eye won't close completely. When I smile, it looks like I am smirking. I have to use a straw to drink liquids or I dribble all over myself. Food wise, it has to be soft and easy to chew. Many different things can bring this on, but one of them is stress. Hello! I believe that is what caused mine by trying to take care of my dying husband for months. Also cold weather can cause it. Mine started January 21 this year so I had both cold air and stress. It will be two months on \March 18th and I am so tired of it. I have to sleep with an eye patch on to protect the eye that does not fully close. I have taken prednisone, B-12 injections, try and try and get lots of rest. Now I am trying an antiviral med to see if it will help. I have had this before when I was in my 30's and it healed within a month. But I will be 70 next week so since I am older I think it is taking longer. Usually 80% of the people who get bells palsy recover. It has been nice corresponding with you. Write back when you get a chance. Prayers for you. P.S. What is your first name?