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ChatGPT says There are two important issues here: Alabama's former common-law marriage rules and Social Security's exception to the nine-month marriage requirement when death is accidental. The fact that her husband died accidentally while they were on their honeymoon could make a significant difference. 1. The nine-month marriage requirement Normally, Social Security requires a surviving spouse to have been married to the deceased worker for at least nine months to qualify for widow's or widower's benefits. However, there is an exception when the deceased spouse's death was accidental. If her husband's death meets Social Security's definition of accidental death, she may qualify despite being married only eight days. Importantly, an accidental death does not automatically establish eligibility. Social Security must review the circumstances and determine whether the exception applies. 2. Alabama common-law marriage Alabama recognized common-law marriages established before January 1, 2017. Those marriages remain legally valid. However, simply living together for more than a year does not establish a common-law marriage. The couple generally must have agreed to be married and publicly presented themselves as husband and wife. If they lived together before 2017, she should ask Social Security to investigate whether they had an established common-law marriage before their wedding. 3. The $255 payment is separate The one-time death payment is actually $255, not $250. Receiving that payment does not necessarily mean she applied for monthly widow's benefits. These are separate benefits, and she may still be eligible to apply for survivor benefits. She should contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and specifically request a formal determination of widow's benefits under the accidental-death exception. She should have her marriage certificate, death certificate, and any accident-related records available. If she previously contacted Social Security, she should also ask whether an earlier application or protective filing date exists.

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