Domestic partners are not eligible for Social Security or other federal benefits based on marriage.

Can an unmarried spouse collect Social Security?

Typically, you qualify for Social Security benefits based on your own earnings record. Adults who live together, but are not married, are not eligible for their partner’s dependents’ or survivors’ benefits although their children are dependents of both.

Can you get disability and SOC?

While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program. Supplemental Security Income pays benefits based on financial need.

Does domestic partnership affect disability benefits?

Your disability benefits won’t be affected by joining a domestic partnership or civil union if your benefits are Social Security disability insurance benefits, adult child benefits, or survivors benefits.

Here’s how being a stay-at-home partner in an unmarried couple can affect your Social Security benefits. Typically, you qualify for Social Security benefits based on your own earnings record. If you don’t work at a job that requires payment of Social Security tax, you don’t earn credit towards Social Security benefits.

Can a domestic partnership affect your disability benefits?

Your disability benefits won’t be affected by joining a domestic partnership or civil union if your benefits are Social Security disability insurance benefits, adult child benefits, or survivors benefits.

How are domestic partners treated on social security?

A domestic partner is treated by Social Security at all times as a single individual and eligible for benefits only on his own record of Social Security payments.

How can I claim my disabled domestic partner?

If you want to claim your disabled partner as a qualifying relative, she must have lived with you as a member of your household, in a relationship that does not violate local law, for the entire year.

Can a domestic partner get spousal and survivor benefits?

This extends to Social Security spousal and survivor’s benefits, which are unavailable to domestic partners even if their marriage is recognized by state law. A domestic partner is treated by Social Security at all times as a single individual and eligible for benefits only on his own record of Social Security payments.