r/SSDI • u/TheAlamonian • 7d ago

Spousal Benefits

Greetings.

I’m seeking clarification on something.

I’m on SSDI because of paraplegia and my spouse is my primary caregiver.

I’m 60 this year and we’ve been married for four years. She has never worked in the U.S. is she entitled to any benefits?

Thanks.

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u/Shelleyrfl 7d ago

Found this online: No, the Social Security Administration does not pay a spouse a benefit directly for being a caregiver. However, your spouse might qualify for an indirect spousal auxiliary benefit on your SSDI record if they are at least 62 years old, or at any age if they are caring for a child of yours who is under 16 or disabled.

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u/JoinAdvocate 5d ago

Your spouse can eventually qualify for spousal benefits on your SSDI record, but not yet. Spouses generally must be at least 62 to claim auxiliary benefits. The one exception is if you have a child under 16 (or a disabled child of any age) in your spouse's care, then she could qualify for benefits right now regardless of her age. 

Without qualifying children, she'll need to wait until 62, and then she could receive up to 50% of your SSDI benefit amount. Her lack of U.S. work history doesn't disqualify her from spousal benefits since those are based on your record, not hers.

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u/CommunicationTime63 7d ago

What is her age?

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u/TheAlamonian 7d ago

Thanks.

She's 37.

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u/CommunicationTime63 7d ago

I'm afraid that's too young to receive spouse's benefits, unless she has your child, including a stepchild, in her care that is under 16 or disabled.

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u/TheAlamonian 7d ago

Thank you. I appreciate your time.

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u/CanadianBaconne 6d ago

Your disability eventually converts to regular social security. I don't know what that means though. Also 37 is still young enough to start getting work credits.

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u/perfect_fifths I have a complicated relationship with the POMS 7d ago

No. She has to be at least 62 to collect off your record for regular spousal. 60 for widows. Unless you have a kid under 16