ssi top up rule

Terry Says

Well, I’m not sure I understand your question. But if you’re referring to the fact that you are entitled to the HIGHER of your own benefit or HALF of your spouse’s benefit, you’d have to apply at Social Security. And if you’re a widow or widower, you would get your spouse’s full benefit, assuming it is higher than your own — and assuming you didn’t claim your own benefit early.

But you don’t get BOTH checks — only the higher of the two. If that wasn’t your question, please write back.