| Ever since its introduction to the Social Security's | | | | Website at and follow their instructions) |
| main priority programs, the Social Security Spouse | | | | - Contacting their offices by phone or mail (Their |
| benefits insurance has been very helpful in | | | | toll-free Service Hotline is at 1-800-772-1213) |
| alleviating the suffering of an individual due to the | | | | - Visiting their offices personally (Setting an |
| loss of his or her partner. This is notwithstanding | | | | appointment with them is advised to avoid long |
| his or her membership in any other insurance | | | | waits although it is not required) |
| policies. | | | | In applying for Spouse Benefits, the applicants will |
| Qualifications, Privileges and Policies | | | | be required to various documents that will prove |
| Based on the laws that cover Social Security, a | | | | their eligibility. Thus, it will be wiser for them to |
| deceased worker's spouse may: | | | | ready the following documents before visiting an |
| - Start to collect monthly checks from the SSA | | | | SSA office: |
| at the age of 62 and above, (However, collecting | | | | - Original copy of birth certificate |
| spouse benefits too early will permanently reduce | | | | - Naturalization documents |
| the amount. The percentage of the reduction will | | | | - Military discharge documents |
| be based on the number of months the | | | | - W-2 forms for the previous year |
| beneficiary has been receiving benefits prior to his | | | | Equally important to bear in mind, delaying the |
| or her full age of retirement). | | | | filing of application because of incomplete |
| - be eligible to collect Medicare benefits after | | | | documents should not be a problem. If this is the |
| reaching the age of 65, | | | | case, the SSA will help the applicants gather the |
| - get half of the member's full retirement benefits | | | | other required papers. |
| if he or she begin accepting financial assistance at | | | | Furthermore, being ready to answer some |
| his or her full age of retirement, and | | | | questions in the interview will speed up the |
| - Receive half of the benefit amount at any age if | | | | process. |
| he or she is taking care of a child who is also | | | | Appointing a Qualified Representative |
| collecting benefits. (The beneficiary will continue to | | | | Like in any legal case, Social Security Spouse |
| receive benefits until the child reaches the age of | | | | benefits applicants may hire the assistance of |
| 16. | | | | their representatives. This is primarily to give |
| If in case, the deceased worker's spouse is | | | | them an avenue where they may avoid the |
| receiving his or her own retirement benefits, the | | | | intricacy of filing an application. Also, appointing |
| SSA will prioritize paying such. Yet, if the Social | | | | someone who has the proper skills and |
| Security Spouse benefit amount is larger, the | | | | understanding in handling Social Security cases |
| spouse will obtain benefits combination, which is | | | | may prevent technicalities that are the main |
| equivalent to such amount. | | | | causes of denial. |
| Nonetheless, if a qualified widow or widower is | | | | In addition, an able Social Security Law attorney |
| continuing to perform his or her work and receive | | | | has the capacity to guide the applicants on how |
| benefits at the same time, similar earning limits will | | | | to answer questions that will be raised by the |
| apply as to a living beneficiary. | | | | adjuster. A qualified representative may also help |
| Requirements and Procedures | | | | in the procurement of the necessary documents. |
| Generally, Social Security Spouse benefits | | | | Read the article Social Security Spouse Benefits |
| applications can be made through: | | | | Inquiries for vital information concerning spouse |
| - Online Application (Browse on the SSA's Official | | | | benefits in the Social Security program. |