Will my income affect my separated husband's Social Security benefits and supplemental programs?

This really depends on which "supplemental programs" he's applying for. If he's talking about Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then yes, your income could potentially be deemed to him even if you're physically separated but still legally married. SSI has strict income and resource limits. However, if he's just applying for regular Social Security retirement benefits, your income won't affect his benefit amount - that's based on his own work record. Could you clarify which benefits or programs he's hoping to get?

my brother had this exact situation!!! his wife moved out in 2008 but they never did the divorce papers cuz of religious reasons. when he applied for SSI they counted her income at first and denied him but he appealed and showed they lived totally separate and SSA eventually approved him! took like 3 months of fighting tho

The Social Security Administration looks at something called 'holding out' - basically whether you present yourselves as married to the community even if you're physically separated. Since you've been living completely separate lives for 10 years with different addresses and licenses, there's a good chance they would consider you separated for SSI purposes, but you should definitely consult with a benefits specialist before he applies. Sometimes getting conflicting information from SSA representatives can make the whole process more complicated!

My uncle went thru this!! The SSA asked for my aunts income even tho they lived apart for 15+ years! So frustrating!! They had to get legally divorced even tho they didnt want too for religious reasons. The SSA doesn't care about real life situations just what paper says ugh

For SSI (not regular Social Security retirement), here's what typically matters: 1. If you file taxes separately 2. If you have completely separate finances 3. If you don't provide any financial support to each other 4. If you've maintained separate residences consistently 5. If you can document the long-term separation There's a good chance he could qualify without deeming your income if he can prove these things. However, the process can be frustrating because different SSA representatives may interpret the rules differently.

When I was trying to reach the SSA about a similar situation with my sister, I kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally tried a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a live SSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Your husband might want to try that when he's ready to call about his specific situation - much easier than waiting on hold forever.

Your husband should also know that even if he doesn't qualify for SSI due to the marriage situation, he might qualify for other programs like SNAP (food stamps) or state-specific assistance where they might evaluate your household situations differently. Sometimes the rules for SSI are stricter than for other assistance programs.

To directly answer your question: No, you don't NEED to be legally divorced for him to potentially qualify for SSI while you're still working. But it does make the process significantly easier if you are. If remaining married is important to you both, he can still apply and provide evidence of your long-term separation. He should be prepared to submit: 1. Separate lease agreements or mortgage documents 2. Utility bills showing separate addresses over time 3. Separate tax returns 4. Statements from friends/family confirming the long-term separation 5. Driver's licenses showing different addresses The SSA will make a determination based on the totality of evidence that you're permanently living apart.

THE SSA IS A JOKE!!! My cousin and his wife were separated for YEARS and they STILL counted her income against him!!! The whole system is rigged to deny benefits to people who deserve them!!! Don't expect fair treatment, they'll find ANY reason to say no!!!

my neighbor just went thru this whole thing last year! she said the important thing was proving they didnt share ANY finances at all. no joint accounts, no being on each others insurance, nothing like that. thats what finally convinced SSA they were really seperate households

Based on everything I'm reading here, it sounds like you and your husband have a really strong case for being considered "permanently separated" by SSA standards. The 10-year separation with completely separate finances, addresses, and tax filings is exactly what they look for. I'd recommend having your husband gather all that documentation that Amara mentioned before he applies - lease agreements, utility bills, tax returns showing the long separation. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person he talks to at SSA gives conflicting information - it's unfortunately common. If he gets denied initially, the appeals process often works out better because they take more time to review all the evidence. Good luck to both of you!

I went through something very similar with my ex-husband about 3 years ago! We had been separated for 8 years but never legally divorced. When he applied for SSI, they initially wanted my income information, but we were able to prove we were permanently separated by showing: - Separate addresses on our driver's licenses for years - Completely separate bank accounts and credit cards - Filed taxes separately with different addresses - Had witnesses (friends/family) who could confirm we lived apart The key was being very thorough with documentation. It took about 6 weeks for them to process everything, but they ultimately approved his SSI without counting my income. Your 10-year separation with all the documentation you mentioned should definitely work in your favor. Just make sure he has everything organized before he applies - it makes the process much smoother!

Just wanted to add another perspective - I work as a paralegal at a disability law firm and see these separated spouse situations fairly regularly. The good news is that SSA has gotten better over the years at recognizing legitimate long-term separations for SSI purposes. Your 10-year separation with separate addresses, finances, and tax filings is actually a very strong case. One thing that really helps is if you can show you've both been completely self-sufficient during the separation - no financial help back and forth, no shared expenses, etc. Also, when your husband applies, he should be very clear and consistent about describing the separation as "permanent" rather than just saying you're "separated" - SSA distinguishes between temporary and permanent separations. The documentation everyone mentioned is spot on, and don't forget to keep copies of everything you submit. If there are any hiccups in the process, having that paper trail makes appeals much easier. Best of luck!

I'm going through something similar right now! My situation is a bit different - my separated spouse and I have only been apart for 5 years (not 10 like you), but we also have completely separate finances, addresses, tax filings, everything. I'm currently in the middle of applying for SSI and the process has been... interesting. The first SSA representative I spoke with seemed to think my spouse's income would automatically count against me, but when I submitted all my documentation showing our permanent separation, a different representative reviewed it and said it looked like a strong case for separate household determination. I'm still waiting for the final decision, but so far the process has been encouraging. One thing I learned is that SSA also looks at whether you're still legally responsible for each other's debts or if you've taken any steps to formalize the separation (like separation agreements, even if not divorced). We don't have any shared debts and haven't supported each other financially at all during our separation. Based on all the responses here, it sounds like you and your husband have an even stronger case than mine with the longer separation period and solid documentation. Definitely go for it!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share some additional insights that might help. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that it can be really helpful to document any community ties that show you've been living as separate individuals - things like different voting registrations, separate memberships at gyms/clubs, different emergency contacts at work or medical facilities, etc. These kinds of records can really strengthen the case that you're living genuinely separate lives. Also, if your husband does get initially denied (which happens more often than it should, unfortunately), don't give up! The appeals process has much better approval rates because they take more time to thoroughly review all the evidence. I've seen cases where people were denied initially but then approved on appeal once SSA properly considered all the separation documentation. Your 10-year separation with separate finances and addresses sounds very compelling - much stronger than many cases I've seen approved. Stay positive and make sure to keep detailed records of every interaction with SSA throughout the process.

Wow, this has been such a comprehensive discussion! As someone who's been through a similar situation with my sister's case, I want to emphasize one crucial point that really made a difference for us: timing and preparation. Before your husband applies, I'd strongly recommend calling SSA (maybe using that Claimyr service Dylan mentioned to avoid the hold times) and asking specifically about their current policies for "deemed spouse" situations with long-term separations. Sometimes local offices have slightly different interpretations, so getting clarity upfront can save months of back-and-forth. Also, consider having a brief consultation with a disability attorney or benefits specialist - many offer free consultations and can help identify any potential issues before you submit the application. Your case sounds incredibly strong with the 10-year separation and all the documentation, but having professional guidance can make the difference between a smooth approval and months of appeals. Best of luck to both of you - you've got this!

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a somewhat similar situation - my estranged husband and I have been separated for about 7 years now, though not quite as long as your 10 years. We also maintain completely separate lives, finances, addresses, etc. What really stands out to me from everyone's advice is how important the documentation is and how much the initial SSA representative you speak with can impact the process. One thing I'd add based on my research into this topic is that SSA Publication 05-11000 (Understanding SSI) actually has a section on "living apart" determinations that might be worth your husband reviewing before he applies. It outlines the specific factors they consider when determining if married couples are permanently separated for SSI purposes. Also, I've heard that submitting a detailed written statement explaining the circumstances and timeline of your separation along with all the documentation can be really helpful - basically telling your story in your own words rather than just letting the paperwork speak for itself. Your situation sounds very strong given the length of separation and all the evidence you have. Wishing your husband the best of luck with his application!