Geraldine Gainey v. Jo Anne B. Barnhart, Commissioner, Social Security Administration

Geraldine Gainey (“Geraldine”) appeals from the district court’s 1 affirmance of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security Administration (“Commissioner”) denying her claim for social security widow’s benefits under 42 U.S.C. § 402(e) of the Social Security Act. The central issue in this case is whether Geraldine can be considered the widow of deceased wage earner Everett Leach (“Leach”) by virtue of a common-law marriage due to the legal impediment of two prior undissolved marriages. Because the Commissioner’s decision is supported by substantial evidence, we affirm.

I

On April…