Posted December 15, 2025Many people assume that Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are only based on their own work history. In reality, that is not always the case. For some divorced individuals, a former spouse’s earnings record may be relevant when evaluating SSDI eligibility.

This is an area of Social Security law that is often misunderstood and frequently overlooked, even by people who have already applied for benefits.

How an Ex-Spouse’s Work Record Can Matter

Under certain circumstances, Social Security allows a divorced individual to pursue SSDI benefits based on a former spouse’s work record rather than their own. This is sometimes referred to as divorced spouse disability benefits.

However, eligibility is not automatic and does not apply to every divorce situation. Social Security looks closely at several factors before determining whether this option is available.

Key Factors Social Security Reviews

Without getting into every technical rule, Social Security typically evaluates issues such as:

• The length of the marriage
• Whether the individual is currently unmarried
• The age and disability status of the claimant
• Whether the former spouse has sufficient work credits
• How the disability meets Social Security’s definition under SSDI rules

These requirements are specific to SSDI and are different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which does not involve work records in the same way.

Why This Is Commonly Missed

Many people never explore this possibility because:

• They assume divorce permanently cuts off eligibility
• They are told they “don’t qualify” based only on their own work history
• The rules are rarely explained clearly during the initial application process

As a result, some claimants may pursue the wrong type of application or miss an option that could apply to their situation.

Every Situation Is Fact-Specific

Eligibility based on an ex-spouse’s work record depends heavily on the details of the individual case. Small differences in timing, marital history, or disability onset can change how Social Security evaluates eligibility.

This is why generalized advice or online summaries often fall short.

Getting Clear Guidance

Understanding whether an ex-spouse’s work record is relevant requires a careful review of Social Security rules and how they apply to your circumstances.

Bennett Disability & Consulting Group helps individuals make sense of complex eligibility issues and understand how Social Security evaluates disability claims involving prior marriages.

To learn more about SSDI eligibility and available support, call 800-772-1213.