A person can receive Social Security Disability benefits as a surviving divorced spouse on the Social Security record of a former spouse who died fully insured, if he or she:
- Is at least age 60, or age 50 and disabled;
- Was married to the former spouse for at least 10 years; and
- Is not entitled to a higher Social Security benefit on his or her own record.
Generally, Social Security cannot pay benefits if the divorced spouse remarries someone other than the former spouse, unless the latter marriage ends (whether by death, divorce, or annulment), or the marriage is to a person entitled to certain types of Social Security auxiliary or survivor’s benefits.
If the surviving divorced spouse age 60 or over applying for benefits remarried after age 60, or after age 50 and at the time of remarriage was entitled to disability benefits, Social Security disregards the marriage. If a person is already entitled to benefits as an aged or disabled surviving divorced spouse and remarries, benefits continue regardless of the person’s age at the time of remarriage.
The benefits paid to a divorced spouse or a surviving divorced spouse will not affect the benefit amount paid to other family members who receive benefits on the same record.
If you would like to receive an estimate of benefits you may receive as a divorced spouse or a surviving divorced spouse, you should contact Social Security at your local District Office. They may be able to provide you with this information over the telephone. If you prefer, you may visit one of the local SSA offices. You can get the address and directions to your nearest office from the Social Security Office Locator that is available on the Internet.
Here is the contact information for the Pensacola, Florida SSA Office:
411 W GARDEN STREET
PENSACOLA, FL 32502
Phone: 1-877-505-4550
TTY: 1-850-432-4625
