I'm sure you know this, but I'll write it for everyone to read:
Social Security is a collection of defined benefit plans that are funded by a tax.
If you make income from working, you must pay the tax. They only tax the first $120,000 (approx) of your income. If you are making ten million dollars yearly, only the first $120,000 (approx) is taxed by SS.
If you meet the requirements for one of the programs, SSDI or Survivors or such, then the govt pays you the benefit.
But it is NOT a savings account. That's a very common misconception. Many people think "i paid in, so now the government pays me." Nope.
What happens to the money? From the very first dollar she paid to the very last dollar she paid, it all went into the Social Security Trust Fund. And it has been used, since the very first day, to pay OTHER people their benefits.
To illustrate: The very first person to collect SS retirement benefits was Ida May Fuller. She worked for 3 years under the new SS law, paying in a total of $22. When she retired in 1940, SS paid her $24 per month for the rest of her life. She lived to be 100.
By contrast, let's say a medical student graduates and works (self-employed) for 30 years, making about $150,000 annually. (The doctor never marries and never has kids.) The doctor will pay SS tax of about 12% of the first $120,000 of their wages. (The other $30,000 of their wage is exempt.) So the doctor paid in over $400,000 to the system. But suddenly, the doctor dies before reaching 65--the normal retirement age--and thus will never see a penny of SS benefits.
Now, personally, in your case, it's in the middle. You will probably be entitled to Survivor's benefits. You'll get some percentage of her benefits. I personally have received about $20,000 annually since my PALS died at 50. I am 61. When I turn 62, I will have the option of receiving an amount based upon MY working contributions or receiving an amount based on HER working contributions. This is a SS program not many people are familiar with.
You need to call SS (it's an easy phone call). Better yet, I would visit the local office if you live in a city large enough to have one. You sit for awhile in the waiting room, but the person there can explain it all very well face to face and give you fairly exact amounts and exact dates the benefits begin. Call to make an appointment.