I believe the bar is if you were married more than 10 years.......if one qualifies (year wise) it doesn't cost to check. I have a friend who kicked herself because she was unaware and lost a chance of earning funds. Had she known she could have filed ..... to the tune of $40,000 dollars.
Tina, when I took the death certificate in to report his death, SS automatically filled out the new paperwork for our disabled son and I , and within 48 hrs Chris had his increase and within 2 weeks mine was changed as well. But, I was still married to him, at the time of his death. Sure helped that I got the bump up as mine was only $900 a month.
Velda