Fair Social Security for Domestic Violence Survivors Act
Sponsored By: Representative Sykes
Introduced
Summary
Reduces the 10-year marriage requirement to 5 years for domestic violence survivors seeking spousal or survivor Social Security benefits. Qualification would require a court finding of domestic violence using the Violence Against Women Act definition.
Show full summary
- Divorced survivors (women and men) could become eligible for spousal or survivor insurance benefits after 5 years of marriage instead of 10 when they provide a court finding of domestic violence.
- The bill uses the Violence Against Women Act definition of domestic violence and requires applicants to submit a court finding as proof. Benefits under this rule would begin for months at least 18 months after enactment.
- The Social Security Administration would apply the substitute “5 years” rule in the specified benefit rules when presented with the qualifying court finding.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Social Security help for divorced abuse survivors
This bill would let some divorced spouses use 5 years, not 10, to qualify for spousal or survivor Social Security benefits. It would apply if you give Social Security a court finding that you were a victim of domestic violence by your spouse during the marriage. It would cover divorced women and men. “Domestic violence” would use the Violence Against Women Act definition. If enacted, the change would apply to monthly benefits for months starting at least 18 months after it becomes law.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sykes
OH • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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