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Social Security Disabled Surviving Divorced Spouse Benefits
Eligibility Scenario: Disabled and Former Spouse Had Work Credits
To qualify for benefits as a disabled surviving spouse, you must be divorced from a deceased spouse and meet the following requirements:
- Be at least age 50 but not yet age 60.
- Have been married at least 10 years before the date the divorce became final.
- Meet the disability related requirements.
- Be unmarried, unless the marriage can be disregarded.
- Not entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work.
Based on the information you gave us about your age, your disability, your current marital status and length of marriage to your deceased spouse, you could get Social Security disabled surviving divorced spouse benefits if you meet all of the following requirements:
- Your former spouse had enough work credits.
- You meet the medical rules for disability benefits.
- You are not getting a higher benefit on your own work record.
To find out more about how Social Security decides if you are disabled, visit SSA’s Publications Page, select "Disability," under "Topics" and review Social Security Publication Number 05-10029.
Widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses cannot apply online for survivor’s benefits. For application information, please visit the How To Apply page.
Would you like more information about disabled surviving divorced spouse's benefits?
Visit SSA’s Publications Page and review the publication "Survivors," Social Security Publication Number 05-10084 or review Chapter 4 of the Social Security Handbook.
Would you like more information about Social Security credits?
Visit SSA’s Publications Page and review "Social Security: How You Earn Credits," Social Security Publication Number 05-10072.
You may also contact Social Security by phone at:
1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)