Can I get spousal top-up benefit with SSDI below FRA? Will it be automatic or do I need to apply?

Congratulations on your disability approval! You're correct that you might qualify for additional benefits as a spouse. However, SSA will NOT automatically process this - you need to specifically apply for the spousal benefit. Since your husband is on SSDI, you need to apply for what's called a "disabled spouse benefit." The amount will be reduced because you're under FRA. The reduction is approximately 25/36 of 1% for each month before your FRA up to 36 months, and then 5/12 of 1% beyond that. So at age 61, you'd get roughly 72.5% of the spousal benefit amount.

I was in almost identical situation last year. My own SSDI was $1,250 and husband's was $2,900. Here's what happened - I called SSA office directly after trying for TWO WEEKS. They told me I needed to apply separately for spousal benefits. Online application didn't work for me (kept getting errors). So I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual SSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of the usual hours of waiting and disconnects. The agent helped me file the application over the phone. There's a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Anyway, I ended up getting about $350 extra each month on top of my disability. The whole process took about 6 weeks to complete after I applied.

My brother went thru this exact ssdi spouse thing. He had to fill out an application specifically FOR the spouse benefit and bring it to the local office. They didnt tell him about it - he had to learn from a friend. Took 3 months to process. Got backpay tho.

There are a few technical points to understand here. When receiving both your own SSDI and spousal benefits, you'll receive your own benefit in full plus the difference between that and the reduced spousal benefit (if the spousal amount is higher). The exact calculation: Take 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), then reduce that amount based on your age. At 61, the reduction would be approximately 27.5% (varies slightly depending on exact months). From that reduced amount, they subtract your own benefit. The difference is your spousal add-on. Example using your numbers: - 50% of husband's $2600 = $1300 - Reduced by 27.5% at age 61 = $942 - Your own benefit = $1400 - Since $1400 > $942, you would not receive additional spousal benefits at this time However, when you reach FRA, you should apply again as the calculation changes. Also, these calculations assume your husband's $2600 is his PIA, not his actual payment which might include other adjustments.

when my wife got ssdi they did NOT add the spouse money automatically! we had to ask for it and do whole nother application. then they gave back pay for the months missed. so definatly apply right away dont wait!

The WHOLE Social Security system is set up to CONFUSE PEOPLE on purpose!! I've seen COUNTLESS people miss out on THOUSANDS because they didn't know they had to APPLY SEPARATELY for spousal benefits! And YES the reduction factors are COMPLICATED on purpose!! The formula changes AGAIN if you're getting Government Pension Offset or if either of you have earnings above the limit! ALWAYS APPLY FOR EVERYTHING you might qualify for!! Don't let them trick you out of YOUR MONEY!!

Based on the numbers you provided, I want to clarify something important. If your SSDI benefit is $1400 and half of your husband's is $1300, you likely won't receive any additional spousal benefits now because your own benefit is higher. Even without the age reduction, the maximum spousal benefit would be 50% of your husband's PIA (not his actual benefit payment). However, there are scenarios where you might still qualify: 1. If your husband's PIA is actually higher than $2600 2. When you reach full retirement age and the reduction no longer applies 3. If your husband passes away (survivor benefits work differently) Still, it's recommended to apply now to establish your eligibility in SSA's systems, even if the current payment amount would be $0.

I got so confused with all this spouse benefit stuff too!! The SSA website is impossible to understand!!! When I finally got through to an agent she told me something completely different than what I read online! And then when I got approved they calculated it yet ANOTHER way! Why can't they just make this simple??