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 I am 60 yrs old receiving my by Janice (not verified)
Hi Janice,
Hi Janice,
Getting remarried will not effect your SSDI benefits.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I am 60 and currently
I am 60 and currently receiving a survivors benefit. If I were to remarry someone who is receiving SSI, would it change either ir both of our benefits?
In reply to I am 60 and currently by Donna (not verified)
Hi Donna,
Hi Donna,
If you and your spouse both get SSI, your benefit amount will change from an individual rate to a couple’s rate.
Best Wishes,
Eric
In reply to Hi Donna, by Eric
I get SSDI and a supplemental
I get SSDI and a supplemental as a widow of an SSDI recipient.
In reply to I get SSDI and a supplemental by Donna (not verified)
Hi Donna,
Hi Donna,
Getting married will not effect your SSDI benefits.
Best Wishes,
Eric
In reply to Hi Donna, by Eric
Would it effect my husband&
Would it effect my husband's SSI?
In reply to Would it effect my husband& by Donna (not verified)
Hi Donna,
Hi Donna,
If you were to re-marry someone on SSI it would affect their benefits. 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.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I've been getting SSI
I've been getting SSI for some years now, and I'm married, but my spouse and are not living together. We've been separated for and 10 or so years. I moved but I needed his income to get the house I'm in. Why do I have to add his income to mine and he's not in the home. Plus I work. Been working for 11 months they cut my check off. Will I lose my Medicaid as well.
In reply to I've been getting SSI by Jacqueline (not verified)
Hi Jacqueline,
Hi Jacqueline,
You may not lose benefits based on just working, however you may have a reduction of one dollar in benefits for every two dollars that you earn through work. As far as needing to have his income regarding your house, I really could not say as I do not know how you obtained that house and there could be any number of reasons for your husband's income to be required.
So I am currently receiving
So I am currently receiving SSDI because I lost my left leg above the knee. However I'm still learning how to walk on different an changing surfaces. Last December I recieved a letter from ssa stating that I am no longer disabled as of December an would lose my benefits as of February 8 2017. Know to the best of my knowledge and I am in no way an expert on the matter but I thought being an amputee ment you were permanently disabled so you would recieved benefits and could still have a part time job? I am appealing there decision but I thought I was put on permanent disability because of my amputation. Could someone please explain this? An im not trying to take advantage but I need the medical at the very least it's expensive being an amputee everything you need cost thousands of dollars especially prosthetic pieces and medications. Plus I'm getting married soon an don't know how that plays into all of it as well. For anyone reading this is have a gofund me page called a second chance only happens once if you have a moment or are more interested in my story you can view it there or donate there. Thank you for reading this an for looking at my story
In reply to So I am currently receiving by Brandon Stewart (not verified)
Hi Brandon,
Hi Brandon,
I'm sorry to hear about that! I really could not say exactly why as I don't know what exactly was in that letter, however the SSA considers people disabled based on their ability to work, so someone with a qualifying condition may not be considered disabled if they are able to earn over $1,170 a month from working.
Hi I live with a room made nd
Hi I live with a room made nd he has a friend who gts disability's because he's sick nd he's girl friend does too so they both GT disability nd they want to GT married but there afraid that the checks will be affected by it can they GT married with out there checks being lowered or taken away
In reply to Hi I live with a room made nd by Lydia de la paz (not verified)
Hi Lydia,
Hi Lydia,
I really could not say as there are many different programs that they could be receiving benefits from, and as such marriage may affect their benefits differently in each case.
Im a disabled vet and receive
Im a disabled vet and receive social security disability. I've been researching whether my disability benefits get terminated or reduced if I get married. MY girlfriend makes 49k a year. Would I lose my ss benefits? What does this mean...If you receive SSDI ON YOUR OWN EARNING RECORDS, getting married will have no impact on your benefits—no matter how much money your future spouse earns.
In reply to Im a disabled vet and receive by Chris9956 (not verified)
Hi Chris,
Hi Chris,
SSDI benefits are based on your work record and generally do not change due to your living situation.
SSI benefits are based on your income and resources and as such may change when your living situation changes, such as when you get married.
In your case, if you receive SSDI benefits, you may not have a change in benefits after marriage.
I am 60 yrs old and still
I am 60 yrs old and still working. My spouse has been receiving social security benefits. Can I collect, or should I have been collecting benefits off of him?
In reply to I am 60 yrs old and still by Patty (not verified)
Hi Patty,
Hi Patty,
You may not be able to do so before retirement age, you may only be able to receive benefits if you have a child in your care or if you are disabled.
I was injured at work I am in
I was injured at work I am in able to work so I am collecting Ssdi . My girlfriend is collecting widow benefits for 2 more years can we get married ever or do we need to wait until she's off widow benefits?
In reply to I was injured at work I am in by Mike degen (not verified)
Hi Mike,
Hi Mike,
Your SSDI will not be affected if you were to get married. You can get married, but your girlfriend will lose her widow's benefits if she does.
Best Wishes,
Eric
Can my soon to be wife be my
Can my soon to be wife be my representive payee for my SSDI account?
In reply to Can my soon to be wife be my by Anonymous (not verified)
Hello,
Hello,
You can tell a Social Security representative that you want your soon-to-be wife to be your representative payee and they will consider your request.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I get ssa and ssi. If i get
I get ssa and ssi. If i get married will I lose it? If he is currently unemployed and this is currently our only income and he is seeking to get disability also, will I lose mine or get tired modified in any way
In reply to I get ssa and ssi. If i get by Anne p (not verified)
Hi Anne,
Hi Anne,
Getting married will not effect your SSDI. However, it may effect your SSI benefits.
Best Wishes,
Eric
Hi I been receiving medical
Hi I been receiving medical insurance n foodstamps for my kids but not for myself because I have work insurance which I'm paying for out of my pocket. I am married now but my husband gets ssdi will that affect my children health insurance n foodstamps?
In reply to Hi I been receiving medical by Brenda (not verified)
Hi Brenda,
Hi Brenda,
You may want to check with the office in your state that handles food stamps and medical insurance, as there are different guidelines in each state regarding both programs.
I live in San Antonio tx I
I live in San Antonio tx I receive ssi and met someone we want to get married he isn't a legal resident he work makes $250 a week gets paid cash. Will it affect my ssi??
In reply to I live in San Antonio tx I by Janie (not verified)
Hi Janie,
Hi Janie,
Getting married 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.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I have been collecting ssd
I have been collecting ssd all my life. I'm 55 years old and marriage is in our thoughts. Would I lose my disability? Also I have Medicare will I lose that too. I'm concerned because of the medicine I need is very expensive and my partner wouldn't be able to pay for all of it.
In reply to I have been collecting ssd by D (not verified)
Hello,
Hello,
Getting married will not effect your SSDI benefits or Medicare.
Best Wishes,
Eric
If i get marry.i get
If i get marry.i get disability and he recieves ssi. But we would live in separate homes will our checks get reduced
In reply to If i get marry.i get by trisha (not verified)
Hi Trisha,
Hi Trisha,
You may want to contact your local SSA office for specific information about your case, however households receiving SSI benefits have a higher benefits limit than individual SSI recipients.
My husband gets social
My husband gets social security for his retirement a I get it for my disability but they didn't give me my full amount. Why?
In reply to My husband gets social by Carla Henley (not verified)
Hi Carla,
Hi Carla,
You may be receiving SSI benefits rather than SSDI benefits, and SSI benefits have a lower maximum amount and are based on income and resources rather than work record.
My fiance is receiving SSI.
My fiance is receiving SSI. We are considering getting married. I am unemployed and am not working nor will I. I am currently in the process of filing for SSDI. I currently get food stamps and that's it. It's been hard financially, but I stay home or don't drive anymore. My question is would his SSI decrease. That is the main reason why we haven't gotten married. Please advise. Thanks
In reply to My fiance is receiving SSI. by Maria (not verified)
Hi Maria,
Hi Maria,
If your household income doesn't change after marriage, His benefit may increase as the benefit limit for married persons is higher than it is for single SSI claimants.
My significant other which is
My significant other which is a girl as well, she receives SSDI. We would like to get married, but I don't want her to loose her SSDI. Is that a posibility? Also she has a son prior to us getting together and I have other children from a prior relationship as well. How will that affect her SSDI?
In reply to My significant other which is by Tonya (not verified)
Hi Tonya,
Hi Tonya,
Getting married will not effect your significant other's SSDI benefits.
Best Wishes,
Eric
hi my question is. how will
hi my question is. how will marriage effect my ssi. if my spouse is receiving va and I am receiving ssi. will I lose and will my ssi drop to amount.
In reply to hi my question is. how will by jessica (not verified)
Hi Jessica,
Hi Jessica,
Your benefits may not change after marriage if your income stays the same.
Im on ssdi and my mother will
Im on ssdi and my mother will receive my dad ssdi benefit because he past always.are we able to live together? Will our benefit be affect?
In reply to Im on ssdi and my mother will by Mary (not verified)
Hi Mary,
Hi Mary,
Yes, you are able to live together and no, your benefits will not be effected.
Best Wishes,
Eric
Do you get less for couples
Do you get less for couples benefits were both disabled I get ssi he gets ssi and ssdi
In reply to Do you get less for couples by Beth (not verified)
Hi Beth,
Hi Beth,
You may have a change in your benefits, but you may not get less due to being married, as the benefit limit for married households is higher than it is for individual SSI recipients
I receive ssdi I worked for
I receive ssdi I worked for my earnings my husband applied for ssi if be wins his ssi will they reduce any of our ernings
In reply to I receive ssdi I worked for by linda (not verified)
Hi Linda,
Hi Linda,
Your SSDI will not be affected. His SSI's will be affected though. The SSA will “deem” a portion of your income to your husband's record. Essentially, this means that they will consider your income to be your husband's income as well.
Best Wishes,
Eric
Just curious is all. My
Just curious is all. My husband recieves ssda, I just been approved for ssi. Will his ssda affect my ssi?
In reply to Just curious is all. My by Sandi (not verified)
Hi Sandy,
Hi Sandy,
Eligibility is determined based on your income and financial resources.The SSA will “deem” a portion of your husband’s income to your record. So yes, it will affect your SSI.
Best Wishes,
Eric
In reply to Hi Sandy, by Eric
His only income is his
His only income is his disability which is just $900.00 a month
If I have SSD and my
If I have SSD and my girlfriend has ssi what happens?? Thankyou
In reply to If I have SSD and my by john (not verified)
Hi John,
Hi John,
Nothing will be affected now, since you two are not married. If you do choose to get married however it may effect your Girlfriend's SSI. Your SSDI will not be effected if you get married though.
Best Wishes,
Eric
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