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Who can get Family benefits

You may be eligible if you’re the spouse, ex-spouse, or child of someone entitled to Retirement or Disability.

Spouses and ex-spouses

You may be eligible if you’ve been married at least 1 year and are:

  • Age 62 and older, or
  • Caring for a child age 15 and younger, or
  • Caring for a child of any age who has a disability.

Ex-spouses who were married for at least 10 years, as well as some valid non-marital legal relationships, may be eligible.

Children

Children may be eligible if they're unmarried and are:

  • Age 17 and younger, or
  • Ages 18–19 and in school (K–12) full time, or
  • Any age if they developed a disability at age 21 or younger.

Under certain circumstances, we can also pay benefits to married children, stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren, and stepgrandchildren.