Can I get Social Security spousal benefits at 46 while caring for husband with cancer?

Unfortunately the rules are pretty strict on this. You can't get spousal benefits until you're 62 normally, UNLESS you're caring for his child under 16 or a disabled child. Being his caregiver doesn't qualify you for early spousal benefits. Have you looked into SSI? Or maybe applying for SSDI for him instead of early retirement? The benefit might be higher.

As the previous commenter mentioned, you generally can't receive spousal benefits before age 62 unless you're caring for a child under 16 or a disabled child receiving benefits on your husband's record. The fact that you're caring for your husband doesn't create eligibility for early spousal benefits under SSA rules. Regarding SSDI versus early retirement: If your husband qualifies for SSDI, it might provide a higher benefit amount since SSDI benefits aren't reduced for early claiming like retirement benefits are. He can apply for SSDI while continuing to receive his current benefits. If approved, SSA will adjust his benefit to the higher SSDI rate. You might also want to check with your state's Department of Health and Human Services about programs for caregivers. Some states offer paid caregiver programs through Medicaid.

my wife got cancer last yr and i had to quite work too. its SO HARD!!! did u try calling 211? they connected us with some local charities that helped with bills for a few months. not much but better than nothing

I went through something similar with my husband. SSDI is definitely worth applying for! With cancer, he might qualify for a Compassionate Allowance which fast-tracks the application. But even with that, it can still take 3-6 months. In the meantime, check if your state has a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver program through Medicaid. In some states, this can pay family caregivers. Also, the American Cancer Society has grants and assistance programs. One thing I learned the hard way - keep DETAILED records of all his medical treatments, medications, doctor's visits, and how his condition affects daily activities. This documentation is crucial for any benefits applications.

THE SS SYSTEM IS COMPLETLY BROKEN!!! My brother had terminal cancer and they STILL denied his disability claim TWICE before approving it. By then he was already gone. Disgusting how they treat ppl who paid into the system their whole lives!!! Good luck but dont expect much help from the government!!!!!

Have you tried reaching SSA directly? I had a similar situation and needed to speak with someone about SSDI options while my husband was still receiving retirement. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a real person at SSA without waiting hours on hold. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU I was able to get specific answers about our situation that websites couldn't provide. The agent walked me through exactly what forms we needed and what medical documentation would strengthen our case. Made a huge difference in our planning.

Something nobody has mentioned yet - if your husband is a veteran, the VA offers a pension benefit called Aid and Attendance that can help pay for caregivers, including spouses. Also check if he has any long-term disability insurance through a former employer that might still be active. Sometimes these policies continue even after employment ends.

One additional option to consider is whether your husband might qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) in addition to his Social Security retirement. It's possible to receive both if his early retirement benefit is low enough and you meet the resource/asset limits. Regarding the SSDI application, since he has cancer, he may qualify for a Compassionate Allowance as another commenter mentioned. This can significantly expedite the process. Make sure to specifically mention this when applying and have his oncologist provide detailed documentation about how his condition limits his ability to work. The SSDI application process typically takes 3-5 months for initial decisions, but Compassionate Allowance cases can move faster. If approved, there's also a 5-month waiting period before benefits begin, though they would be retroactive to the application date minus those 5 months.

Just throwing this out there - have u checked if ur state offers paid family leave? Some states like CA, NY, NJ have programs where u can get paid while taking care of a family member. Its not a ton of money but its something. Also check if his cancer treatment center has social workers - they often know about resources that regular people dont know exist.