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Summary

If you are the spouse or ex-spouse of a worker who receives Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits, you may be eligible for benefits because of your relationship to the worker even if the worker is deceased. This is in addition to any Social Security benefits to which you may be entitled in your own right.

Eligibility

As a spouse or ex-spouse, you are not eligible for benefits merely because of your marriage. The worker must receive (or have received if he or she is deceased) SSDI.

You are also eligible to receive benefits, including Social Security Disability Income, if:

  • Your spouse is receiving Social Security Retirement Income (SSR) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) income
  • If your spouse is deceased, and you were married at the date of his or her death, and he or she received SSR or SSDI before his or her death. 
  • You are age 62 or older or you are the spouse, and taking care of a child of you and your spouse and the child is under age 16 or is disabled.
  • The fact that spouse in question could be "disabled" doesn't count unless he or she is applying for his or her own benefits..

If a spouse is eligible for a retirement benefit based on his or her own earnings, and if that benefit is higher than the spousal benefit, then Social Security pays the retirement benefit. Otherwise Social Security pays the spousal benefit.

There is a limit to the amount of money payable to a family each month.

Start the sign-up process by calling Social Security. You can file an appeal if you are turned down.

Ex-Spouses

As the divorced spouse of a worker receiving retirement or disability benefits, you can get benefits on your former spouse's Social Security record if you satisfy each of the following requirements. You:

  • Were married to the worker for at least 10 years.
  • Are at least 62 years old.
  • Remain unmarried.
  • Are not eligible for an equal or higher benefit on your own Social Security record or on someone else's Social Security record.

NOTE: The amount of benefits payable to the ex-spouse has no effect on the amount of benefits you may receive as a spouse or child and does not affect the Maximum Family Benefit (above).

Amount of Benefit

As the spouse of an eligible worker you can receive one-half (50%) of the worker's full benefit unless you begin collecting benefits before age 65, or the worker's Full Retirement Age for purposes of SSR, if later.(For a definition of "Full Retirement Age" see Security Retirement.) In that case, the amount of your benefit is permanently reduced by a percentage based on the number of months between the time you apply for the benefit and the time you will reach age Full Retirement Age. For example, if you begin collecting benefits at age 64, the benefit amount would be about 46% of the worker's full benefit. At age 63, it would be about 42% and at age 62, 37.5%.

If you care for a Child

You will receive full benefits, regardless of your age, if you are taking care of a child who is under age 16 or of a child who is disabled and receiving Social Security benefits. The benefits will end the month before the youngest child turns 16, although the child will continue receiving benefits until age 18.

Dual Eligibility

If you're eligible for both your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse, you will get your own benefit first. If your benefit as a spouse is higher than your own retirement benefit, you'll get a combination of benefits equaling the higher benefit. For Example: Mary Ann qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse's benefit of $400. At age 65, she will receive her own $250 retirement benefit and Social Security will add $150 from her spousal benefit, for a total of $400. If she takes her retirement benefit at any time before she turns 65, both amounts will be reduced.

For more information, see:

How To Sign Up For A Benefit For A Spouse Or Ex-Spouse

You can sign up in person or on the phone. You can call the Social Security toll-free number, 800.772.1213 to apply for benefits over the telephone or to make an appointment to visit any Social Security office to apply in person.

We recommend that you apply in person. If you will receive benefits, you are entitled to them from the date you apply. If you apply in person, you will receive a receipt which has the date on it so you have proof if there is a later question. Also, if you apply in person you can become a person, rather than a number. If you How To Make A Friend At Social Security, it is likely that the Social Security person will help you complete any questions you're not sure about and help you obtain documentation you may not have.

Documentation

Depending on your circumstances, you will need the documents listed below. Don't delay applying for benefits because you don't have all the information. If you don't have a document you need, Social Security can usually help you get it.

The types of documents Social Security may need are based on the information you provide. They may include:

  • Your birth certificate or other proof of birth.
  • Your Naturalization papers.
  • Your U.S. Military discharge paper(s).
  • Your W-2 form(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year.

 

Information Social Security will need no matter what your specific situation is, includes:

  • Your financial institution's name and routing transit number (or copy of a deposit slip or voided check with the account information on it) and your bank account number. This information is requested so that your benefits can be deposited electronically into your account (See Alternative Ways To Receive Social Security Benefits).
  • The amount you earned last year and the amount you expect to earn this year (between September and December). Social Security may also ask how much you expect to earn next year.
  • The name and address of each employer for the last three years.
  • The beginning and ending dates for each period of U.S. military service you may have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, or Coast & Geodetic Survey.
  • If you have ever had a Social Security number.
  • Your date and place of birth.
  • Your bank or een married, the name, Social Security number and date of birth of your current and/or any prior spouse, the date and place of each marriage and, if appropriate, the date and place the marriage ended.

You can request a copy of your Social Security Statement online at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/isss/main.html or call 800.772.1213 or visit your local Social Security office to ask for a Form SSA-7004 (Request for Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement). You'll receive the statement in the mail in about 4 - 6 weeks. Make sure the earnings listed for each year are accurate, especially the years after 1977 and any years you served in the U.S. military.

What To Do If Your Claim For Spousal Benefits Is Denied

If you are turned down in your request for spousal benefits but are eventually proved to be entitled to them, you'll get all the back money to the date you filed.

The appeals process for denials of spousal benefits are the same as for other Social Security denials. See Appeals.