My husband now resides in Jamaica and does not earn an income. At one time he lived in the US and does have SS#. Can I claim him as a dependent? As for right now I am supporting him, if so how can I go about getting his SS#? He does not have the card nor remembers the number. Also because of legal reasons he is not able to return to the US at any time (This situation is known by the Govt.).

1. If you are citizen or resident of the U.S. you can file joint return. Then you will get standard deduction and exemptions for both of you.
2. If you file as married filing separately, you can claim exemption for your spouse if he did not have any income. Read Your U.S. Tax Return: Filing Status for Married

In both the cases, you need SSN.

Have him call the Social Security Administration. Once he convinces them he is whom he says he is, they will then send him a new Social Security Card to his address in Jamaica.

Like MukatA says, you and he can ALWAYS file jointly. His physcial location is irrelevant.