To be eligible for this benefit program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least age 50, but not yet age 60.
- Have been married to the deceased spouse for not less than 9 months immediately prior to the day in which the deceased spouse died, unless an exception applies.
- Be unmarried, unless the marriage can be disregarded.
- Not be entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work.
Based on the information you gave us, you currently receive benefits based on a former spouse's work record. You also indicated that you were married for at least nine months to more than one former spouse. You might be able to get a higher benefit on the other spouse's record if your other former spouse had enough work credits, you meet the medical rules for disability benefits, and you are not getting a higher benefit on your own work record.
To find out more about how Social Security decides if you are disabled, visit SSA’s Publications Page, select "Disability" under topics and review Social Security Publication Number 05-10029.