Age of widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse

Always

EXCEPTION: See reference for criteria.

Age of number holder (NH)

Only when it affects

insured status, or

Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), or

when required quarters depend upon year NH attained age 72 .

Death of NH

Always, unless established in a prior claim or a conversion of benefits is involved.

Marriage

Always unless established in a prior claim (includes the statements on a prior Form SSA-2-F6 and Form SSA-3). Do not assume marriage was established in a prior LSDP claim.

• •

  To establish marriage lasted 10 years.

• •

  To question validity of marriage.

Remarriage and

termination of

remarriage

If a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse seeks to qualify following remarriage.

or to establish the remarriage occurred after the required age.

REMEMBER: A widow(er) who married prior to age 60 or 50, for disabled widow(er)s, and the marriage subsequently ended is considered unmarried in the month in which the marriage ended.

Living in the same household (LISH)

Always if a deemed marriage is involved. For payment of the LSDP, LISH would have to be established only if the widow was not entitled to or eligible for benefits in the month the NH died.

Medical Development

Always, when a widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse is claiming benefits based on disability.

Wages and SEI

Always, unless PIA has been established. A certified E/R is needed.

Selection of

Representative Payee

If claimant is incapable of handling funds.

Adoption

When widow(er)'s eligibility depends upon adoption of child.

Application

Always, unless a conversion from spouse's benefits is involved or a dually entitled A/B elects a reduced widow(er)'s benefit (Form SSA-4111).

Proof of divorce from NH

When claimant is filing for surviving divorced spouses benefits.

Support

If GPO is involved for months of entitlement prior to January 2024.

Form SSA-1473,

Request for Railroad

Annuity Information

When it is necessary to determine if the claimant was entitled or potentially entitled to a Railroad annuity in month prior to their marriage to the NH.

Form SSA-21,

Supplement to Claim of

Person Outside the

United States

When widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse lives outside the U.S. or intends to leave the United States.

U.S. Citizenship

See references for criteria and exclusions.