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Social Security Spouse's Insurance Benefits
Managing Agency U.S. Social Security Administration http://www.socialsecurity.gov

Program Description

These are benefits paid to the spouse of a worker who receives Social Security Retirement or Disability benefits.

To qualify for this benefit program, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be married for at least one year to someone who receives Social Security retirement or disability benefits or be the mother or father of the worker's biological child
  • Be at least 62 years old or under age 62 and caring for a child (under age 16 or disabled) of the retired or disabled worker
  • Not be getting a higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work.

Your Next Steps

The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.

Application Process

If you would like to find out if you may be eligible for any of the benefits SSA administers, visit http://best.ssa.gov.

Once you have completed the eligibility screening questionnaire, you will be provided with a list of benefits for which you may be eligible. Print this page for your records before going to the application site.

Once you know which benefits you can apply for, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/appl yonline/ to apply online.

You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) for additional information about SSA benefits and for application information.

Program Contact Information

For more information on this and any SSA benefit, call:
1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
Visit our Publications page for detailed information about SSA programs and policies:
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/