Someone I know has not paid into SS and fica since 2004. He is sick and on dyalasis. He is in his mid 50's. Would he be eligible for disability? Or even SS when he is older? He did Marry a exwife in order to get health insurance through her job. Is he eligible to collect spousal disability? Would this effect the amount she would recieve when she retires?

Hi,

It sounds like your friend wouldn't qualify for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) unless he became disabled in 2009 or earlier. In order to qualify for SSDI after age 30, a person must have at least 20 quarters of Social Security coverage (https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/QC.html) within the 40 quarter period ending with the onset of their disability.

In order to qualify for regular Social Security retirement benefits, a person must be at least age 62 and have earned at least 40 quarters of coverage during their lifetime.

A person can't qualify for disability benefits on the record of a living spouse or ex-spouse. In order to be eligible for divorced spousal benefits, a person must be at least age 62 and their marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years. Their ex-spouse must also be at least age 62 or drawing their benefits. If your friend did qualify for benefits on the record of an ex-spouse, it would not affect the ex's own benefit rate.

If your friend is disabled and has little or no resources, he may want to consider Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI can be paid to disabled individuals regardless of their past work history, provided that they meet the income and resource limits (https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/).

Best, Jerry