Can I get SSDI plus divorced spousal benefits before my ex-husband files for Social Security?

Yes, you can potentially receive divorced spouse's benefits while on SSDI. Here's what you need to know: 1. You must have been married for at least 10 years (you were married 23 years, so you qualify) 2. You must be currently unmarried 3. Your ex-spouse must be at least 62 The tricky part: Normally, your ex would need to have filed for his own benefits first. However, there's an exception - if you've been divorced for at least 2 years (which you have), you can file for divorced spouse benefits even if your ex hasn't filed yet. As for the amount, you would be eligible for up to 50% of your ex's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) - that's what he would get at his full retirement age. However, your total benefit (SSDI plus divorced spouse benefit) would be limited to the higher of the two amounts. So if your SSDI is less than 50% of his PIA, you'd get a "top-up" to reach that 50% level. And no, his decision to take early benefits wouldn't affect your amount - your benefit would still be based on his full retirement age benefit (his PIA).

my sister got divorced spouse benifets but she had to wait til her ex started collecting first... or maybe not? ill ask her. anyway she said SSA people were NO help when she called smdh took her 6 tries to get through to anyone!!

I went through something sort of similar last year. Was on SSDI and qualified for divorced spouse benefits. Here's what happened: I brought my divorce decree, marriage certificate, and birth certificate to my appointment. The SSA rep looked up my ex's earning record and calculated what I was eligible for. BUT - big warning - they will only pay you the DIFFERENCE between your SSDI and what you'd get as a divorced spouse (if that amount is higher). So if your SSDI is $1,476 and your divorced spousal benefit would be $1,800, you only get an additional $324 per month, NOT the full $1,800. Also, they were HORRIBLE to deal with by phone. Impossible to get through!

I spent 2 weeks trying to get someone at Social Security on the phone about a similar question. Kept getting disconnected or waiting 2+ hours only to have the call drop. I finally tried using Claimyr.com and got through to an agent in about 15 minutes! They have this system that navigates all the phone menus and waits on hold for you, then calls you when an agent is on the line. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Anyway, the agent confirmed what others have said - you don't need your ex to file first if you've been divorced 2+ years. But they do need to look up his earnings record to calculate your benefit, so having his SSN is helpful (though not absolutely required - they can find it with his name and DOB).

The MOST important thing no one mentioned yet!! The Divorced Spouse Benefit is ONLY available if it would pay MORE than your current SSDI!! The SSA will pay you whichever is higher - your disability benefit OR the divorced spouse benefit - NOT BOTH! Did anyone actually READ your question?

i think you need to wait until he files thats what my neighbor had to do

To summarize the key points accurately: 1. Yes, you can qualify for divorced spouse benefits while on SSDI 2. Since you've been divorced more than 2 years, you do NOT need to wait for him to file first 3. Any benefit would be based on his Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) - what he'd get at his FRA - regardless of when he actually files 4. You would only receive the difference if the divorced spouse benefit is higher than your SSDI 5. For 2025, the maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your ex's PIA I recommend contacting SSA directly, either by scheduling an appointment at your local office or by phone. Bring or have ready: your marriage certificate, divorce decree, birth certificate, and if possible, your ex's SSN (though they can find him with full name and DOB if necessary). They will NOT contact your ex during this process. Also, your SSDI benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits when you reach your FRA, but the amount stays the same.

Just wondering but does it matter if he remarried?? My ex is on like wife #3 now lol

Nobody is talking about how this affects HIS benefits!!! If she claims on his record it REDUCES what he gets!!! That's why exes don't want you claiming on their record!!

One more tip from my experience - print out ALL your tax returns from the marriage if you have them. They asked me for income verification because they wanted to check if I had any government pensions that would trigger the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO). Those can reduce benefits if you worked for state/local government that didn't pay into Social Security.