How can I prove that I did live in the USA with my husband in the 1970"s for over 5 years, am now applying for widow's benefit, am 73 years old and never worked while living in the USA as I stayed at home to care for my little son, and the Social Security Dept is telling me I need to show proof! My husband was receiving his benefits before he died here in Trinidad.

Hi,

There are no examples in Social Security's operations manual (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0302610030) showing the types of evidence that may be presented as proof that you meet the 5-year residency requirement for receiving widow's benefits while you're outside the U.S. Social Security should be able to tell you what they require as proof, though.

I'm just guessing, but I would think you could submit documents like visas or green cards from the immigration service is you still have them. Or possibly deeds, mortgages, rental records, etc. that would show your dates of residence in the U.S. If you don't have any documentation, maybe Social Security would accept affidavits from people with knowledge of your dates of U.S. residence, although I can't say that for sure.

Best, Jerry