If you are legally separated from your spouse for more than 20 years due to domestic violence are you allowed to collect survivors benefits....when they die??

Hi. Yes. A legal separation wouldn't have any adverse effect on a person's eligibility for widow(er) benefits, provided that the marriage is still legally in effect at the time one of the members of the couple die. However, a legally separated spouse wouldn't qualify for the one time death benefit of $255 that's paid to spouse's who were living together with the deceased.

Best, Jerry