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How Will Marriage Affect My Disability Benefits?

Submitted by Daniel on

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

Eric

Hi Sierra,

His SSI may actually be reduced or terminated all together. Once you get married the SSA will consider your income as apart of his. Best of luck.

Fri, 02/09/2018 - 12:59 Permalink
Eric

Hi Sierra,

His SSI may actually be reduced or terminated all together. Once you get married the SSA will consider your income as apart of his. Best of luck.

Fri, 02/09/2018 - 12:59 Permalink
Kyle C (not verified)

Hello, I'm 27 and receive ssdi off of my own earnings and receive survivors benefits from my mother who passed, if I marry will my benefits be affected?

Fri, 02/09/2018 - 10:33 Permalink
Jenn (not verified)

I have a question. I have a boyfriend who has gotten disability recently. He does live with me and has for the past 2+ years, I have supported him because well I felt obligated to. I have two children, my son who is 13 has jia and requires a lot of medical treatment. I am struggling to support my children, much less another adult. Disability approved him but put that we are married. To be honest, my last marriage of 13 years was very violent and abusive, I have no plans of remarrying and would love to quit supporting anyone but my children, but how can this man live on $237 a month? Can anyone give me some advice on this issue please?

Wed, 02/14/2018 - 08:43 Permalink
Bryan

Hi Jenn,
The SSA takes household income into account for married recipients, as such that may change his benefit amount. Generally SSI benefits are based on income and resources, and while you can qualify for benefits and be awarded them, the monthly benefit amount is based on income and resources.

Mon, 02/19/2018 - 11:16 Permalink
Ralph (not verified)

Hi I have a qusiton I am getting ssdi from my self and my girl friend getting ssdi from her dad is there any way we can get marriage and my girlfriend got a divorce

Thu, 02/15/2018 - 08:54 Permalink
Nita (not verified)

I am 61 and disabled on SSI. If I get married to a man that is 63 and disabled and on SS what will happen? Can I receive his SS and what about my medical card. Will I lose that and will I be able to get medicare if we marry.

Thu, 02/15/2018 - 10:16 Permalink
Eric

Hi Nita,

Once married, the SSA will consider your spouse's income as apart of yours, so it may decrease. It can't say for sure how it will affect your medical card or Medicare.

Mon, 02/19/2018 - 14:49 Permalink
Ronald (not verified)

I RECENTLY GOT MARRIED MY WIFE IS 62 & I'M RETIRED I'M 64 SHE GETS DISABILITY AND SSI WILL THAT EFFECT SHE GETS MORE MONEY THAN I DO. WILL THAT EFFECT US IN ANY WAY ?

Fri, 02/16/2018 - 13:06 Permalink
Tmc (not verified)

Does the SSA currently not deem between same sex married couples? Is there a distinction in this for Trans people with legal gender change documentation?

Mon, 02/19/2018 - 19:39 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

A friend aged 64 receives disability from her own income. She is planning to marry a man aged 65 who earns disability as well as a retirement check. Will her disability check be at risk?

Wed, 02/21/2018 - 12:54 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I'm thinking about marriage and I receive ssi I'm disabled and draw back off one of my parents. I know if he becomes disabled or starts getting income that it will effect my income. But if I get married and he has no income or no assets of any kind will it effect my income?

Thu, 02/22/2018 - 02:54 Permalink
Aracely (not verified)

Just got married to my wife same sex marriage she gats disability I want to change my last name will this affect her disability???

Sun, 02/25/2018 - 00:15 Permalink
Ella Herod (not verified)

Hello I'm 62 and receiving my deceased spouse benefits. Now I want to remarry and my friend is 62 and also on ss disability will our income change if we gets married? Please send answer thank you.

Mon, 02/26/2018 - 23:47 Permalink
Renee (not verified)

I want to get married to my best freind that lives 5 hrs. Away so my adopted children will be secure if anything happens to me. We will not move in togeather we will still have our seprate lives money homes. Will this affect my SSI OR SSDI.

Tue, 02/27/2018 - 18:21 Permalink
Katie (not verified)

Hi me and my boyfriend are thinking about getting married and I only get child support but my boyfriend works full time. My son gets SSI with him being handy capt. and he’s not his son. if we get married can he get kicked off.

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 09:53 Permalink
Yvette (not verified)

Hi I'm on welfare help right now I get $335.00 in cash that i have to pay back and I get $190 in food stamps will the money I get from welfare affect my boyfriend's SSI if we ever decide to get married someday?

Sun, 03/04/2018 - 11:40 Permalink
Gail for Ann (not verified)

Our daughter receives her disability benefits from my husbands ss,if she gets married when do we notify ssa?

Mon, 03/05/2018 - 18:03 Permalink
Ana (not verified)

I have a Q in regard to permanent disability, I have several health issues concerning my disks I was diagnosed with degenerative disk decease and thus condition doesn’t allow me to sit for long periods of time as well as walk or stand. My doctor issued a letter stating my condition and getting a job has been very difficult . My Q is how much am I looking at to get a month??i worked over 10 years about 20 to be exact . I will appreciate any information you can provide thank you!

Thu, 03/08/2018 - 12:00 Permalink
Eric

Hi Ana,

I really can't say for sure how much you could receive in benefits. Every case is different and it varies depending on how disabling the condition is. I will say the more medical evidence you have, the better your chances are of winning.

Thu, 03/08/2018 - 12:24 Permalink
Kris (not verified)

I'm on SSD I get money from my dad since he was on ssd now my father passed away so I get a part of his ssd check if I get married will I lose his part of my check

Sun, 03/11/2018 - 15:23 Permalink
Tony (not verified)

Hi
im currently disabled and my kids receive my benefits as well
if i get married can my wife who does not work right now and kids still receive payments while at same household?
will it affect any way or stop?

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 11:47 Permalink
Eric

Hi Tony,

If you are on SSDI based on your own record then getting married will not be affected.

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 15:41 Permalink
Nan (not verified)

Hello! I was wondering if I get on SSDI In the near future can I base my income off my ex's income to make it a little higher. Im 52 yrs old from florida and my ex lives in Minnesota and if I were to remarry would that change my income at all.

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 17:21 Permalink

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