Sanabria v. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare

OPINION and ORDER

ALDRICH, Senior Circuit Judge. *

The single question in this appeal from the Secretary’s denial of death benefits to an alleged widow of an individual who was properly qualified under the Social Security Act at the time of his death, hereinafter “insured,” raises the single question whether applicant qualifies as a widow under the statute.

Applicant and insured lived together for thirty-five years, purportedly as husband and wife, and it was generally believed that they were married. In fact, however, no ceremony had ever been performed. The relevant section, 42 U. S. C. §…