Can I get SSI as military spouse with no work credits while husband delays Social Security until 62?

Hey there! So SSI and Social Security retirement are completely different programs. SSI is for low-income people with limited resources, while retirement is based on work credits. Are you and your husband under the income/resource limits for SSI? If your husband has military retirement and disability pay, you might make too much for SSI. But when he turns 62 you should qualify for spousal benefits which are WAY better anyway!

Unfortunately, with your husband's military retirement and VA disability income, you're almost certainly over the SSI income limits. SSI in 2025 has a Federal Benefit Rate of approximately $943/month for an individual, and the income limit is quite strict - with deemed income from your spouse counting against your eligibility. Your better path is to wait until your husband claims his Social Security retirement benefits. As his spouse, you'll be eligible for up to 50% of his Primary Insurance Amount even with no work credits of your own. If you want confirmation about your specific situation, you should definitely schedule an in-person appointment with your local SSA office. They can review your exact circumstances and explain what benefits you might qualify for now versus in the future when your husband reaches 62.

OMG the SSA sends those automated messages that dont even answer ur actual question!!! SO FRUSTRATING!!!! They did the same thing to me last year when i applied for widows benefits. Just generic info that had nothing to do with what i actually applied for!!!!

To directly answer your questions: 1. Yes, you should wait for the final SSI decision, but based on your husband's military retirement and VA disability income, you'll likely be denied due to household income/resource limits. 2. Regarding Medicare: You would become eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A when your husband turns 65 (not 62), assuming he has the required 40 work credits. You'd qualify through his work record once he's Medicare-eligible. 3. For Social Security benefits: Once your husband claims his retirement benefits (at 62 in 2028 as planned), you can apply for spousal benefits, which would be up to 50% of his full retirement amount (though reduced if you claim before your own FRA). The updates you're receiving are likely part of SSA's standard processing - they're confirming you don't qualify for SSDI or retirement before they make a determination on SSI, which has different eligibility requirements.

I had a similar situation trying to contact Social Security about my spousal benefits last month. I was getting nowhere with phone calls - constant busy signals or disconnects after waiting 1-2 hours. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that got me connected to a real SSA agent within 20 minutes! You can see how it works in their video demo here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I actually talked to an agent, they explained everything about my spousal benefits situation. Much better than trying to figure things out from their automated messages. Might be worth trying if you want a definitive answer before 2028.

Honestly, the whole system is RIGGED against military spouses and caregivers!!! You gave up your career to support your husband's service and care for family, and THIS is how they thank you? By denying benefits and making you wait years? Meanwhile Congress votes themselves raises every year while people who ACTUALLY SERVED this country get the runaround. The SSA and VA systems are deliberately complicated to DENY benefits to those who deserve them. It's DISGRACEFUL!!!

My aunt was in almost EXACTLY your situation! Military spouse for 25 years, never enough work credits. She just waited till uncle claimed his SS at 65 (he waited longer than your hubby plans to). She got half his benefit amount and it was actually pretty decent! I know waiting till 2028 seems forever but from what I understand spousl benefits are usually a lot more than SSI anyway.

my neighbor is getting ssi and her husband works so maybe u could qualify? but they make u list every single thing u own its crazy, they even asked about her wedding ring value lol. the asset limits are super strict like $2000 for single person $3000 for couples i think

Wait i thought military spouses get some kinda special social security credit or something? my cousin said something about that once, but maybe it was a different benefit