Your spouse can receive benefits on your SSDI record once you have been approved and receiving benefits for at least six months
When you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your spouse becomes may be able to access to collect a portion of your benefit amount. This is called a spousal benefit. Your spouse does not need their own work history to receive this — they may have access to based entirely on being married to you and meeting Social Security's age and other requirements.
The key requirement is that you must have been receiving SSDI for at least six months before your spouse can start collecting. After that waiting period, your spouse can contact Social Security to begin the process. The amount they receive is typically 32.5% of your full benefit amount, though this can change depending on how many other family members are also collecting on your record.
Your spouse will need to provide proof of your marriage, their own identity documents, and information about any other income they have. Social Security will verify all of this before approving the spousal benefit.
Key Takeaways
- Your spouse can receive a spousal benefit based on your SSDI record once you have been receiving benefits for at least six months.
- The spousal benefit is typically 32.5% of your full monthly benefit amount, though the exact percentage depends on how many family members are collecting on your record.
- Your spouse does not need to have worked or paid into Social Security to receive this benefit — their may be able to access comes from being married to you.
- Your spouse will need to contact Social Security directly and provide proof of marriage, identity, and information about their income.
- If your spouse is under age 62, they can only receive a spousal benefit if they are caring for a child under age 16 who is also receiving benefits on your record.
Age requirements for your spouse
Your spouse's age determines when they can start receiving benefits. If your spouse is age 62 or older, they can receive a spousal benefit at any time after you have been receiving SSDI for six months. The longer they wait to claim (up to age 70), the larger their monthly payment will be.
If your spouse is under age 62, they can still receive a benefit, but only if they are caring for a child under age 16 who is also receiving benefits on your record. This is called a spousal benefit while caring for a child. There is no age minimum for this — your spouse can be any age and still collect if they meet the child-care requirement.
Once your spouse reaches age 62, they no longer need to be caring for a child to receive the spousal benefit. At that point, they can collect based on age alone.
How the benefit amount is calculated
Social Security calculates your spouse's benefit as a percentage of your full monthly benefit amount. The exact percentage depends on how many people are collecting on your record at the same time. If only your spouse is collecting, they typically receive 32.5% of your benefit. If your spouse and children are both collecting, the percentage may be lower for each person.
There is a family maximum — a cap on the total amount that can be paid to all family members combined on your record. This maximum is usually 150% to 180% of your full benefit amount. If the total benefits to your spouse and children would exceed this maximum, Social Security reduces each person's payment proportionally.
For example, if your full SSDI benefit is $1,200 per month and only your spouse is collecting, they would receive approximately $390 per month (32.5% of $1,200). If your spouse and two children are all collecting, each person's share would be smaller to stay within the family maximum.
What your spouse needs to provide
When your spouse contacts Social Security to request a spousal benefit, they will need to bring or submit several documents. These include proof of your marriage (a marriage certificate), their own birth certificate or passport, and proof of citizenship or legal residency if they were not born in the United States.
Your spouse will also need to report any income they have — from work, pensions, or other sources. Social Security uses this information to determine if your spouse is subject to the earnings test, which can reduce their benefit if they earn above a certain amount while under full retirement age.
If your spouse has been married before, Social Security may ask about previous marriages. In some cases, a person can receive a spousal benefit based on a former spouse's record instead, if that benefit would be larger. Your spouse should be prepared to discuss their complete work and marriage history.
How to start the spousal benefit process
Your spouse should contact Social Security directly to request a spousal benefit. They can do this by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local Social Security office in person, or creating an account on Social Security's website at ssa.gov. The website allows your spouse to check the status of your SSDI case and see when the six-month waiting period will be complete.
When your spouse contacts Social Security, they should have your Social Security number ready and be prepared to answer questions about your marriage, their age, and any income they have. Social Security will tell your spouse what documents to bring or mail in.
The process typically takes two to four weeks from the time your spouse submits all required documents. Social Security will send a notice explaining the decision and the monthly benefit amount.
What happens if your spouse also has their own work record
If your spouse has worked and paid into Social Security, they may be may have access to to their own retirement or disability benefit in addition to the spousal benefit. Social Security will calculate both amounts and pay your spouse whichever is larger — they do not receive both at the same time.
Your spouse's own benefit is based on their own earnings record and age. A spousal benefit is based on your record. Social Security compares the two and pays only the higher amount. This is important to understand because your spouse might assume they will receive both benefits, but that is not how the system works.
If your spouse is close to retirement age, they may want to discuss with Social Security whether waiting to claim their own benefit at a later age would result in a larger monthly payment. The timing of when your spouse claims can significantly affect their lifetime benefits.
How earnings affect your spouse's benefit
If your spouse is under full retirement age and working, their spousal benefit may be reduced under the earnings test. For 2024, if your spouse earns more than $23,400 per year, Social Security will reduce their benefit by $1 for every $2 they earn above that amount.
Once your spouse reaches full retirement age, the earnings test no longer applies, and they can work without any reduction to their benefit. The full retirement age varies depending on birth year but is typically between 66 and 67 for people born in the 1950s and 1960s.
Your spouse should report any changes in income to Social Security. If your spouse's income changes during the year, it may affect the benefit amount they receive. Social Security can adjust the payment if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse get benefits before the six-month waiting period is over?
No. Your spouse must wait until you have been receiving SSDI for at least six months before they can start collecting a spousal benefit. However, once the six months have passed, your spouse can request benefits retroactively — meaning Social Security may pay them for some of the months they waited, depending on when they explore.
What if my spouse is not a U.S. citizen?
Your spouse can receive a spousal benefit even if they are not a U.S. citizen, as long as they are a lawful permanent resident or meet certain other residency requirements. Your spouse will need to provide proof of their immigration status. Some non-citizens may have restrictions on how much they can receive, so your spouse should discuss their specific situation with Social Security.
Does my spouse's spousal benefit affect my SSDI payment?
No. Your SSDI payment stays the same regardless of whether your spouse collects a spousal benefit. The spousal benefit comes from the family maximum pool, not from your individual payment. Your benefit is not reduced because your spouse is collecting.
Can my spouse receive benefits if we are divorced?
Yes, if you were married for at least 10 years. A divorced spouse can receive a benefit based on your SSDI record even after the divorce is final, as long as the marriage lasted 10 years or longer. Your ex-spouse does not need your permission, and receiving a benefit on your record does not affect your own payment.
What if my spouse is already receiving their own Social Security retirement benefit?
Your spouse will receive whichever benefit is larger — their own retirement benefit or the spousal benefit based on your record. Social Security automatically compares the two amounts and pays only the higher one. Your spouse cannot receive both benefits at the same time.