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Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar.
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Social Security Independently Entitled Divorced Spouse's Benefits
To be eligible for this benefit program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 62 years old and not currently married.
- Be divorced from a person who is at least 62 years old and has enough work credits to get Social Security benefits.
- Have been married to that person for at least 10 years and divorced for at least two continuous years.
- Not be entitled an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit or disability benefit based on your own work.
If you would like to find out if you may be eligible for any of Social Security's benefits, use SSA's Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool.
Once you have completed the eligibility screening questionnaire, you will be provided with a list of benefits for which you may be eligible. Print this list for your records before going to the application site.
Once you know which benefits you may be eligible for, visit Apply For Social Security Benefits to apply online.
You may also contact Social Security by phone at:
1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
Visit SSA's Publications Page for detailed information about SSA programs and policies.
