Can a person Claim Social Security Spouse Benefits if Common Law Married?

I have a friend that has been living with her longtime boyfriend for more than 2 yrs, very committed to each other and they do go around and say husband and wife. The Boyfriend wants her to receive some benefits from Social Security. (Texas does common law Marriage) but they never signed a paper stating that they are married or not. What can she do.

why don't they just get married. I mean they are not husband and wife they are just boyfriend and girlfriend living together, besides that would be a type of fraud..

I don't believe the federal government recognizes common law marriages. However, they could get married and that solves the problem.

nope. sorry.

In Canada yes plus medicare and hospital

Common law in Texas is seven years,but without a Marriage license she has no chance in receiving any benefits. Why should she.

check with social security administration but I don't believe they honor "common" law agreements.

Yes. Some states do not recognize common law marriage and the time a couple has to live together and is usually much longer than 2yrs. However in Texas there is no time length.

Two years is not exactly a long term relationship. However, I guess it is longer than some marriages. But, although Texas does recognize common law marriages, the federal government does not. What sort of spouse benefits is he talking about? If she is disabled, she draws disability. That comes out of another part of the kitty from social security. But common law marriages have no federal recognition.