Last week, we wrote a blog post answering a question that was sent to us through Facebook. We received some great feedback and readers have suggested that they’d like us to make this a regular thing. Please feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Tell us what questions you’d like us to answer next week! Today’s question is:
Question: How will marriage affect my disability benefits?
Getting married may affect your disability benefits in a variety of ways. This is largely dependent on what type of benefits you receive—Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
If you receive SSI benefits, you likely already know that eligibility is determined based on your income and financial resources. Once you get married, the SSA will “deem” a portion of your spouse’s income to your record. Essentially, this means that they will consider your future husband or wife’s income to be your income as well. This may significantly reduce your monthly payment or even cause the SSA to terminate your benefits altogether.
It is important to note that, if you live with your significant other but are not yet married, the SSA may still decide to deem some of your partner’s income to your record.
If you receive SSDI on your own earnings record, getting married will have no impact on your benefits—no matter how much money your future spouse earns. If you receive SSDI based on someone else’s earnings record, your benefits could be affected in the following ways:
- If you receive SSDI benefits under an eligible parent’s record, getting married will cause your benefits to be terminated. The only time benefits will not be terminated in this circumstance is if you are marrying another disabled adult child.
- If you are currently receiving SSDI benefits on the work record of an ex-spouse, your benefits will be terminated if you remarry. This also applies to individuals who receive SSDI on the record of a deceased ex-spouse who remarry before age 50 if disabled, and before age 60 if not disabled.
Before you make any decisions regarding marriage or disability benefits, you should always consult with an SSA representative. That way, you can avoid unknowingly compromising your benefits. Please feel free to leave additional questions or comments in the section below and we will try our best to answer each of your questions.
Submitted By: Molly Clarke
Blog comments
In reply to If I marry I receive ssdi is by Gina wallser (not verified)
Hi Gina,
Hi Gina,
Unfortunately, Medicare eligibility is individual- your spouse would need to be eligible for Medicare on their own to receive it.
I get high disbality
I get high disbality allowance and my career is low and I am 52 my hasband turn 60 how many allow to work
In reply to I get high disbality by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
I really could not say as there are different thresholds for the different disability programs that are available.
I've been receiving ssd
I've been receiving ssd for 9 yrs now. I just got married Jan. 6th of this yr. I have a 13yr old receiving my auxiliary. Am i screwed?
In reply to I've been receiving ssd by Mary (not verified)
Hi Mary,
Hi Mary,
Congratulations! Luckily, you are not. If your child is otherwise eligible, they may still receive those benefits.
I receive disability and SSI
I receive disability and SSI for me. I think I understand I will probably lose my SSI when I marry, but should keep my disability (and likely lose the $23 NY state provides as well...?). My main question...I also am the grantee for my son who has Down syndrome (he is 22), who receives SSI as well. Is his SSI now subject to my future spouse's income also? Thanks for your help.
In reply to I receive disability and SSI by Lisa (not verified)
Hi Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
Your son's SSI is not subject to your future spouse's income, however if his living situation changes his benefits may change.
In reply to Hi Lisa, by Bryan
Lisa again :)
Lisa again :)
Still not married (gettin' there!) but want to confirm...son's SSI won't be at all affected by my upcoming marriage? NY State gives us both this $23 (don't know why it's separated that way--but it comes as a $23 deposit), will that be affected? And I should have stated in my original comment that my son with Down's lives with us, and will likely continue to do so. I will likely lose my SSI, but will retain my SSDI? This is my only contribution to the household income, so now that I'm getting close to the wire, I'm getting nervous about money. This is my second marriage, and I seem to recall my first spouse's (son's dad) income affecting the amount of SSI we received. Is it different now because my son is over 21?
It's a shame that money concerns are affecting my decision to marry! Thanks so much for your help.
In reply to Lisa again :) by Lisa (not verified)
Hi Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
I can't say if your New York supplement would be affected, ( You should contact the office that administers that supplement in New York), but your son's benefits would be based on his income and resources and as such a change in living situation may affect his benefits. You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can find a listing of New York SSA offices here:
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/social-security-disability-loc…
I am on disability and want
I am on disability and want to marry my boyfriend who is on ssi! How will this affect our income? We both have medicare and medicaid and get foodstamps!
I have tried two time to get
I have tried two time to get disability and been denied and now they are telling me I don't have enough in to do so I'm feed up with is I thank I'm going to call my senator
In reply to I have tried two time to get by Cindy Harley (not verified)
Hi Cindy,
Hi Cindy,
I'm sorry to hear that! It's true, however, that calling your representative may be a good way to take action about things that are not satisfying to you as a constituent.
If we both receive social
If we both receive social security disability and we get married will that affect our disability amounts?
In reply to If we both receive social by Roxanne oinonen (not verified)
Hi Roxanne,
Hi Roxanne,
Your SSDI will not be effected if you get married.
Best Wishes,
Eric
If I am receiving benefits
If I am receiving benefits from my spouse who is on SSI disability will I continue to receive them if we divorce?
In reply to If I am receiving benefits by Lisa Teegarden (not verified)
Hi Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
If your ex-spouse qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance, you may be eligible to receive divorced spouse’s benefits. This is the case if:
You were married to the person for over ten years;
You are at least 62 years old;
You are currently unmarried and you are not eligible for a larger Social Security payment on your own record.
My husband lost his job and
My husband lost his job and im on ssi how can i get my full paymebt back so i can pay rent and bills. But i have no proof he lost it
In reply to My husband lost his job and by Ashley (not verified)
Hi Ashley,
Hi Ashley,
You may need to contact a local SSA office, you can find a listing of them here:
www.disability-benefits-help.org/social-security-disability-locations
If I do a commitment ceremony
If I do a commitment ceremony will ssecurity stop my money and my insurance
In reply to If I do a commitment ceremony by Brittany (not verified)
Hi Brittany,
Hi Brittany,
If your living situation changes, it may be a good idea to contact the SSA regarding it. But I could not say if there would be any changes to your benefits due to marriage.
Hi
Hi
My question is: I have been getting ssi an ssdi for about 10yrs now I live with my parents an I am engaged to my fiance I was wondering if I get married will I lose both my checks if we get married?
He works at Taco bell
In reply to Hi by Jamie Diane Benton (not verified)
Hi Jamie,
Hi Jamie,
Your SSDI will not be effected if you get married.
However, your SSI will be effected. When you get married, a portion of your spouse’s income and assets is “deemed” (in other words, counted as) yours.fI the person you're marrying makes a good amount of income, it’s quite possible that when your future spouse’s deemed income is added to yours, this will put you over the SSI eligibility limit.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I have been married for 36
I have been married for 36 years now I am facing divorce. I started receiving SSDI when I turned 51. I had always worked and provided at least 50% of the marital income.
Hi, my fiance receives ssdi
Hi, my fiance receives ssdi because of him having seizures and i was wondering if we get married would his check be cut off? I have no kids and I'm a teacher and make about 30,000 a year.
In reply to Hi, my fiance receives ssdi by Melecia (not verified)
Hi Melecia,
Hi Melecia,
Your fiancé's SSDI benefits will not be affected if you both get married.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I hsvr been on ssd if i get
I hsvr been on ssd if i get married will they it away been on for two years can they take it away
In reply to I hsvr been on ssd if i get by Angela (not verified)
Hi Angela,
Hi Angela,
Your SSDI benefits will not be effected if you get married.
Best Wishes,
Eric
Hi I am on SSDI and so is my
Hi I am on SSDI and so is my future husband, who also qualifies for SSI as well. Can I collect SSDI or SSI from him! As I will be 50 in march?
In reply to Hi I am on SSDI and so is my by Alma (not verified)
Hi Alma,
Hi Alma,
Your SSDI benefits for you and your husband will not be effected when you get married. However for SSI, when you marry your spouse's income and resource may change your SSI benefit.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I receive SSDI under my own
I receive SSDI under my own Social security number and I'm 36 and I work part time. My partner is not receiving any benefits and owns his own business and can't retire for 4 years.. If I get married will my benefits stop?
My significant other collects
My significant other collects SSDI benefits and I am just beginning my SSI, will this change our income if we marry? Our total gross is on $2,000. Thank you.
In reply to My significant other collects by Deb (not verified)
Hi Deb,
Hi Deb,
Getting married will not effect your significant other's SSDI.
However it will effect your SSI, When you get married, a portion of your spouse’s income and assets is “deemed” (in other words, counted as) yours. This includes earnings from working, SSDI payments, and other types of income.t’s quite possible that when your future spouse’s deemed income is added to yours, this will put you over the SSI eligibility limit.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I am 17 and getting married
I am 17 and getting married before I turn 18. I draw social security through my father who is a veteran. It's the alternate route of child support that the court gave my mom because it comes straight out of his SS benefits instead of him paying on his own. When I get married, will I lose my Social Security check?
In reply to I am 17 and getting married by De (not verified)
Hi De,
Hi De,
That depends...If you receive SSI benefits, once you get married, the SSA will “deem” a portion of your spouse’s income to your record. This means that they will consider your future husband or wife’s income to be your income as well. This may significantly reduce your monthly payment or even cause the SSA to terminate your benefits altogether.
Best Wishes,
Eric
i live with my boyfriend he
i live with my boyfriend he is not my disabled sons father will his income affect my son who is 16 ssi we are NOT married. I live in mass.
In reply to i live with my boyfriend he by sherry (not verified)
Hi Sherry,
Hi Sherry,
Since you and your boyfriend are not married, it will not effect your son's SSI.
Best Wishes,
Eric
Hi I am 46 years old and I
Hi I am 46 years old and I receive ssi but I want to get marry. But my boyfriend have a house and kids if we get marry would it affect my SSI
In reply to Hi I am 46 years old and I by Eve (not verified)
Hi Eve
Hi Eve
If you receive SSI benefits, once you get married, the SSA will “deem” a portion of your spouse’s income to your record. This means that they will consider your future husband or wife’s income to be your income as well. This may significantly reduce your monthly payment or even cause the SSA to terminate your benefits altogether.
Best Wishes,
Eric
So basically, if you're
So basically, if you're on SSI because you're legally blind & was declined SSD because credits were 'too long ago' (excuse me for raising my kid), you can either receive benefits OR marry the person you love. Leaving them to suffer with you while trying to afford bills that can no longer be paid when you lose benefits, and never be able to afford over $2000 in medications and insulin pump supplies every month.
Wow what a choice; get married and die because you can't afford monthly supplies, or keep SSID and never have the happiness of a marriage.
SSID and SSD should be the same. I paid for SS while working for 24 years. Not my fault SS office screwed around & waited until my credits ran out of time.
In reply to So basically, if you're by Linda (not verified)
Hi Linda,
Hi Linda,
Marriage may not mean that you lose your benefits, however if your combined income is too high, you may no longer qualify.
If I get married and I get
If I get married and I get disability only 735 will that terminate mom money every month my fiancé is out of work right now so he worked in the past For years
In reply to If I get married and I get by Dorothy (not verified)
Hi Dorothy,
Hi Dorothy,
I am so sorry hear that. Wishing you the best.
Regards,
Eric
I am married and my wife has
I am married and my wife has been approved for ssdi. We were under the impression of the disability lawyer that I could not be the payee. So we asked my mother in law if she would be willing. She said yes, but at the time I had no idea that by bringing a " third " person into our affair's would give her the authority to manage our account. We do not feel comfortable with this at all. Would my income affect her monthly amount any at all if I was the payee? And what would disqualify me as a payee. As far as I know nothing was mentioned by us that I have a felony conviction on my record but if so without my knowledge would that affect me performing as her payee. Bottom line we would like to know if I can become the payee with a felony and would it affect her monthly total based on my income. We are married and are together. I do not like the idea of a third person in my banking circle. Thank you.
In reply to I am married and my wife has by Robbin adrian (not verified)
Hi Robbin,
Hi Robbin,
If you have a felony conviction, you may not be eligible to be a payee, and your income would not affect any SSDI benefits that your wife receives.
Im on ssi and ssdi and my
Im on ssi and ssdi and my husband is on ssi , i was wondering i read if i was to work part time like walmart like i did b4 nothing would affect my ssdi just ssi? And what about my husbands ssi and medical?i am in kansas.
Me and my husband are both on
Me and my husband are both on ssi and im on ssdi if i went back to work i was working at walmart i think i still had my ssdi i cant remember or i had some of it can you tell me what will happen if i worked at walmart or sometging with his medical and ssi or my ssdi?i am in kansas
In reply to Me and my husband are both on by micki (not verified)
Hi Micki,
Hi Micki,
You can generally work part time while you're Social Security disability benefits as long as your earnings don't exceed a certain amount set by Social Security each year. In 2017, the SGA limit is $1,170 per month (or $1,950 for blind applicants).
Best Wishes,
Eric
i live with my boyfriend i am
i live with my boyfriend i am divorced i have 3 kids 2 are on ssi one is 16 the other is 22 and my daughter is 12, i am not married and none of the kids are his does his income count against my sons ssi?
In reply to i live with my boyfriend i am by sherry (not verified)
Hi Sherry,
Hi Sherry,
Since you and your boyfriend are not legally married, his income will not count against your son's SSI.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I am 60 yrs old receiving my
I am 60 yrs old receiving my own ssdi..can.i remarry
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