Apr
16
2009
By Guest (not verified)
can a common law husband receive veteran's benefits as a dependent-what I really want to know is-will he lose his social security income?
Veteran's Benefits
I would consult your local office regarding this. Aside from a Special Veterans Benefit for World War II survivors, I don't see much in the literature regarding veteran's benefits from Social Security.
Regarding common law marriages, Social Security follows the laws of the state where the worker was residing at the time of death or the place where the worker is residing when the spouse applies for benefits. In order for a common law marriage to be valid, it must have been contracted in a state where common-law marriages are recognized. Many states do not honor common-law marriages, so you should check local laws. However, most states (even those in which a man and woman could not enter into a valid common-law marriage) will generally recognize a common-law marriage validly entered into in another state. Again, check local laws.