Can my disabled ex-spouse claim Social Security on my record if she's currently on SSI?

Thank you! That's really helpful. So even though she's disabled, she'd need to wait until 62 to claim on my record? She's about 4 years younger than me, so that timing could work out. She hasn't remarried, so that's not an issue. Do you know if the ex-spousal benefit would be reduced if she takes it early (before her FRA)?

Do you know if the ex-wife has to wait until HE files for benefits first? Or can she apply as soon as she's 62 even if he's still working? I thought there was some rule about that but maybe that changed.

Thanks for that explanation! I didn't realize the SSI would be terminated, but it makes sense if she's getting more from the ex-spousal benefit. The asset restriction removal would be huge for her - she's been unable to save anything because of that $2,000 limit. One question though - she's not on SSDI, just SSI. Would she still qualify for Medicare when switching to ex-spousal benefits?

This is incorrect for this specific situation. The link you shared is about disabled widow(er) benefits, which have different rules than disabled divorced spouse benefits. For a disabled divorced spouse to collect on an ex's record, the worker (original poster) must actually be receiving their own retirement or disability benefits already. Since OP is still working and not collecting retirement benefits yet, his ex-wife cannot collect divorced spouse benefits yet, even with her disability status. She'll need to wait until either he files for benefits or until she reaches 62 (when she can file as a divorced spouse if he's at least 62, even if he hasn't filed yet).

I had the same issue trying to get information about my divorced spouse benefits! After getting disconnected three times, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real SSA agent in about 20 minutes. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It was such a relief to finally speak with someone who could answer my specific questions. The SSA phone system is completely overwhelmed, especially with all the baby boomers retiring now. For complicated situations like divorced spouse benefits with disability involved, you really need to speak with an actual agent.

That's an excellent summary! One small correction - if your ex-wife wants to file for divorced spouse benefits before you've filed for your own benefits, you both need to be at least 62, AND you must have been divorced for at least 2 years. Since your divorce was in 2015, that 2-year requirement is already met. Also worth noting that if she takes benefits before her FRA, they will be permanently reduced, just like regular retirement benefits. At 62, she'd get less than the full 50%.

Thanks for mentioning that. She hasn't remarried, and I don't think she plans to, but good to know that's a factor.

That's so encouraging to hear! The savings account freedom would be life-changing for my ex. Did your sister have any issues with the transition from SSI to the Social Security benefits? Was there any gap in payments or complications?

My sister had a pretty smooth transition actually! She applied for the ex-spousal benefits about 3 months before her ex retired, and SSA coordinated everything. Her SSI payments stopped the month her Social Security started, so there wasn't really a gap. The only hiccup was that she had to report some small savings she had managed to accumulate (under the $2000 limit) to SSA, but that didn't affect her benefit amount. The biggest relief was immediately being able to start saving money without worrying about losing benefits. She's actually been able to build up an emergency fund for the first time in years! Just make sure your ex applies well in advance - don't wait until the last minute.

That's a really important point about healthcare coverage that I hadn't considered! So there could be a period where she loses Medicaid but doesn't qualify for Medicare yet? That's definitely something we'd need to plan for carefully. Would she be able to get subsidized marketplace insurance during that gap, or would her Social Security income be too high for subsidies? This is getting more complicated than I thought, but I really appreciate everyone pointing out these details I wouldn't have known to ask about.

This is all incredibly helpful information! As someone new to navigating these systems, I had no idea how complex the interactions between SSI, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid could be. The healthcare coverage gap issue is something I definitely wouldn't have thought to consider on my own. It sounds like timing will be really critical - not just for when to apply for the ex-spousal benefits, but also for ensuring there's a healthcare coverage plan in place during any transition period. I'm wondering if it might be worth consulting with a Social Security disability attorney or benefits counselor to help navigate all these moving pieces when the time comes? There seem to be so many potential pitfalls that could affect both the financial and healthcare aspects of this decision.

Consulting with a Social Security disability attorney or benefits counselor is definitely a smart idea! These professionals can help navigate the timing and identify potential issues you might not think of. Many disability attorneys offer free consultations for these types of questions, and there are also SHINE counselors (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) who specialize in Medicare/Medicaid transitions and can provide free guidance. Another resource worth mentioning is your state's Aging and Disability Services office - they often have benefits counselors who understand how SSI, Social Security, and healthcare coverage interact. Since this decision affects both you and your ex-wife financially, having professional guidance could save you both from costly mistakes or missed opportunities. The peace of mind alone would probably be worth it!

This is such valuable practical advice! I hadn't thought about gathering the documentation ahead of time, but that makes total sense - having the marriage certificate, divorce decree, and birth certificate ready could definitely prevent delays when it's time to apply. The tip about creating my Social Security accounts online is great too. I should probably help my ex set hers up as well so she can start tracking her options and understanding the system better. It's really encouraging to hear from someone who has actually been through this process successfully. Did you run into any unexpected issues or requirements when you applied that we should be prepared for?

I'm glad my advice was helpful! When I went through the application process, the main unexpected issue was that SSA required additional proof of my ex-husband's work history since there was a gap in his earnings record from when he was self-employed. We had to provide old tax returns to verify his income during those years. Also, the processing time was longer than expected - about 4-5 months from application to first payment, so definitely don't wait until the last minute to apply. One other thing that caught me off guard was that they required me to provide information about ANY other marriages I'd had, even though they ended in divorce and were shorter than 10 years. It didn't affect my eligibility, but they needed it for their records. The whole process was worth it though - going from SSI to divorced spouse benefits was life-changing financially!

One thing that surprised me during the application process was that SSA required proof that my ex-husband was actually eligible for benefits on his own record, even though he hadn't filed yet. They needed his recent earnings statements to verify his work history. Also, there was about a 3-month processing time from application to first payment, which was longer than I expected. During that waiting period, I had to be really careful about my assets since I was still technically on SSI until the divorced spouse benefits kicked in. The transition wasn't as seamless as I'd hoped, but the end result was definitely worth it. I'd suggest applying at least 4-6 months before you actually need the benefits to start, just to account for any processing delays or requests for additional documentation.

I'm glad you found the documentation tip helpful! When I went through the application process, there were a couple of unexpected things that came up. First, SSA required a certified copy of the divorce decree - a regular photocopy wasn't sufficient. I had to go back to the courthouse to get the certified version, which added about two weeks to the process. Also, they asked for detailed information about my ex-husband's work history and Social Security number, which I fortunately had from old tax returns. Make sure your ex has your SSN handy when she applies. One other thing - the SSA representative asked several questions to verify our marriage duration and divorce date, so having those dates memorized or written down clearly helped move the interview along smoothly. Overall though, once I had all the right documents, the process was pretty straightforward. The key is just being prepared with everything upfront!

The process was mostly straightforward, but I did encounter a few things that caught me off guard. First, they required proof that my ex-husband was actually receiving benefits - I had to get a letter from him confirming this, which was a bit awkward to ask for but necessary. Second, there was about a 3-month processing time that I hadn't anticipated, so definitely apply well before you actually need the benefits to start. Also, make sure all the names on the documents match exactly - even small discrepancies like a middle initial being included on one document but not another can cause delays. The SSA is very particular about documentation matching perfectly. One last thing - they may ask for additional verification of the marriage duration if there were any separations during those 10 years, so be prepared to provide details about the timeline if needed.

Great question! When I went through the process, there were a couple of things I wasn't prepared for. First, SSA required me to provide my ex-husband's Social Security number on the application, which I didn't have readily available - so you might want to make sure you have that information exchanged beforehand. Also, they asked very specific questions about the timing of our divorce and whether there had been any brief reconciliations, so make sure the divorce paperwork clearly shows the final date. One thing that surprised me was that they also verified my ex-husband's work history and current benefit status during the process, which added some processing time. The whole application took about 6-8 weeks to get approved, so definitely don't wait until the last minute to apply. Overall though, once I had all the documentation ready, the process was pretty straightforward!

The application process was mostly straightforward, but there were a couple of things that caught me off guard. First, they required certified copies of the documents - regular photocopies weren't sufficient. I had to go to the county clerk's office to get certified copies of the marriage and divorce certificates, which took a few extra days and cost about $25 each. Also, even though we'd been divorced for over 10 years, SSA still needed to verify that my ex-husband was actually eligible for benefits on his own record before approving my divorced spouse benefits. This added about 6 weeks to the processing time because they had to pull his complete work history. One pleasant surprise though - the SSA representative was actually very helpful and walked me through exactly what to expect at each step. If your ex can get through to speak with someone (maybe try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier), having that conversation before applying could save a lot of confusion later.

The application process was actually smoother than I expected, but there were a couple of things that caught me off guard. First, even though I had all the main documents ready, SSA also wanted verification of my ex-husband's current employment status and earnings - apparently they needed to confirm he was eligible to provide benefits on his record. Fortunately, they were able to verify this internally, but it did add some processing time. The other surprise was that they required a more detailed divorce decree than I initially provided. My first copy didn't explicitly state the duration of our marriage, so I had to get a certified copy that included all the specifics. Also, make sure any name changes are properly documented - I had changed my name back after the divorce, and they needed the legal paperwork showing that connection. One tip: when your ex applies, she should emphasize that she's switching from SSI to divorced spouse benefits rather than just applying for the first time. The SSA representatives seemed more familiar with that type of transition and it helped streamline the process. The whole thing took about 6-8 weeks from application to first payment.

One thing that caught me off guard was that SSA required additional verification of my ex-husband's work history since I hadn't been tracking his earnings over the years since our divorce. They needed to confirm his current employment status and recent earnings to calculate my benefit accurately. It added about 6 weeks to the processing time, so definitely something to be prepared for. Also, even though we had been divorced for over 10 years, they still asked for details about why the marriage ended - apparently it's a standard question, but it felt invasive at the time. The online account creation was definitely worth it though - being able to see estimates and track the application status online made the whole process much less stressful. One last tip: if possible, try to apply during off-peak times (not at the beginning of the month when lots of people are applying) - the processing seemed to go faster that way.

One thing that caught me off guard was that SSA required a certified copy of the divorce decree - a regular photocopy wasn't sufficient. I had to go back to the courthouse to get an official certified copy, which added a few weeks to the process. Also, make sure the divorce decree specifically states the length of the marriage, as SSA needs clear documentation that you were married for at least 10 years. Some divorce decrees don't include the marriage date, so you might need the marriage certificate as backup proof. Another small hiccup was that they wanted to verify my ex-husband's Social Security number, which I didn't have memorized after all these years! Fortunately, it was on some old tax documents I had saved. The process overall was smoother than I expected once I had all the right paperwork, but having everything properly certified and organized upfront definitely helps avoid delays.

I'm glad this conversation has been so helpful! As a newcomer to understanding these benefits, I'm amazed by how many interconnected factors there are. One thing I'm curious about - when the time comes for the ex-spouse to apply, is there a specific office or department within SSA that handles divorced spouse benefits, or do you just call the general number? Also, I've seen mentions of potentially needing to provide proof that the marriage lasted at least 10 years - would a divorce decree that shows both the marriage and divorce dates be sufficient, or do they typically require additional documentation? It seems like having all the paperwork organized and knowing exactly what to expect could make a big difference in how smoothly the process goes.

One unexpected thing I encountered was that SSA required additional verification of my ex-husband's work history since I was applying before he had filed for his own benefits. They needed to confirm his earnings record to calculate my divorced spouse benefit accurately. This added about 6 weeks to the processing time, so definitely apply well in advance! Also, even though we had been divorced for over 10 years, they still wanted to verify that neither of us had remarried - I had to provide a statement confirming my current marital status. The online account was incredibly helpful throughout the process because I could check the status of my application and upload additional documents when requested. One other tip - if your ex has any questions during the application process, encourage her to call the SSA customer service line early in the morning (right when they open) for shorter wait times.

The application process was mostly straightforward, but there were a couple of things that caught me off guard. First, they required more recent documentation than I expected - my original divorce decree from 1998 wasn't sufficient because it was too old and didn't have a raised seal. I had to request a certified copy from the county clerk, which took about 3 weeks. Also, even though my ex-husband was already receiving his retirement benefits, SSA still needed to verify his earnings record, which added some processing time. One thing that really helped was calling ahead to schedule an appointment rather than just walking into the local office. The staff was much more prepared and knowledgeable when I had a scheduled appointment versus the times I tried to just drop in. They were also able to give me a checklist of exactly what documents to bring, which saved multiple trips. The whole process took about 6-8 weeks from application to first payment, so definitely don't wait until the last minute to apply!