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 Hello! I was wondering if I by Nan (not verified)
Hi Nan,
Hi Nan,
If you are on SSDI, it won't affect your income getting re-married.
I've been receiving SSDI
I've been receiving SSDI and Supplemental Security Income for almost 12 years. My Partner, (We're a same sex couple,) wants to get married. Will I lose any of my benefits if we get married? Your post says they don't deem for same sex couples even if they are married...I'm not sure what that means.
In reply to I've been receiving SSDI by RJ (not verified)
Hi RJ,
Hi RJ,
Sorry for the confusion on the post, but getting married would not affect your benefits.
In reply to Hi RJ, by Eric
I noticed in a response to a
I noticed in a response to a post from back in February that you said the rules of Social Security do apply to same sex couples...So I'm still confused. I wouldn't change my last name to his. Would I have to report that I'm married? I understand that my SSDI wouldn't be affected, but what about my supplemental security income? Thank you for your time.
In reply to I noticed in a response to a by RJ (not verified)
Hi RJ,
Hi RJ,
Yes, the same rules regarding marriage and Social Security benefits apply to same sex couples. SSDI benefits are not affected by marriage, but SSI benefits may because they will take into consideration your spouse's income as apart of your own.
You should notify the SSA once you get married. Best Wishes.
I receive Disibility (SSI)
I receive Disibility (SSI) & social security off of one of my parents if I choose to get married or move in with or have a spouse move in with me how could that affect my income? What's the income limit before I could loose my benefits or my benifits it's gets cut? I am aware I would loose the check I get off of my parent for sure if I do get married but what about the rest?
In reply to I receive Disibility (SSI) by Nikki (not verified)
Hi Nikki,
Hi Nikki,
The 2018 SGA limit is $1,180 for non-blind persons. If your monthly income exceeds that, it could be reduced or cutoff all together.
My fiance is on ssdi from his
My fiance is on ssdi from his own work earnings will he loose it if we get married
In reply to My fiance is on ssdi from his by Jackie kent (not verified)
Hi Jackie,
Hi Jackie,
Since he is on SSDI, he will not.
hello, i was receiving SSI
hello, i was receiving SSI only and getting about 900 a month, when my wife retired she wanted to combined my SSI with her SSA, when that happened my SSI was reduced to 160 a month and getting 400 from her SSA, think we were told that i would be getting same amount 500 from SSI plus the 400 from SSA but that was 6 months ago and still only getting 160 from ssi and 400 from ssa thats a combined 560 a month. Went to ssa office but couldnt work it out and wrote a reconsideration but haven't heard back. Is there any way to fix it where i can get the same amount back that i had before?
In reply to hello, i was receiving SSI by steve (not verified)
Hi Steve,
Hi Steve,
That is a tough situation. I would contact the SSA again to see if they have anymore information about your reconsideration.
If I'm with someone
If I'm with someone for over 18yrs and they get sick but not married but have,15yr son will I get,any of his,ssdi when he passes
In reply to If I'm with someone by michelle (not verified)
Hi Michelle,
Hi Michelle,
That's a tricky situation since you aren't technically married. I would recommend speaking with a SSA rep regarding that.
However, your son could qualify for receive auxiliary benefits until he is 18.
I'm 54 and my boyfriend
I'm 54 and my boyfriend is 58. We both get SSDI off our own work records. Am I right in that marriage will not affect our payments? Your answers to questions here have been quite I formative, thanks.
In reply to I'm 54 and my boyfriend by Carol (not verified)
Hi Carol,
Hi Carol,
Thank you for your nice note. And you are correct that getting married will not affect your payments. Best of luck!
I just been found disabled.My
I just been found disabled.My spouses monthly income is2491.00 what is the estimated benefit i will recieve?
In reply to I just been found disabled.My by Renee (not verified)
Hi Renee,
Hi Renee,
There really is no black and white answer because every case is different.
I just got married but my
I just got married but my husband receive a 1st and 3rd check i work and have been for over 20yrs we was trying to see if he's going to lose both benefits are what's going to happen he said he's drawing it under his father but he's 50yrs old I really don't know what to do.
In reply to I just got married but my by Tosha (not verified)
Hi Tosha,
Hi Tosha,
If he is on SSDI based on his own disability, then your income will not be affected.
If my loans are being
If my loans are being dismissed through TPD and I am on SSDI and get married, can my husbands income be counted against my TPD discharge?
In reply to If my loans are being by TG (not verified)
Hi TG,
Hi TG,
I'm not sure, I would talk to your state's TPD office.
My fiance is on ssi and I
My fiance is on ssi and I currently make minimum wage. So i dont make muxh more then her only 100$ a month more. And we are also samesex couple does this rule still aply in 2018? And How will this effect her ssi?
In reply to My fiance is on ssi and I by Alexis (not verified)
Hi Alexis,
Hi Alexis,
A spouse's income can affect SSI. I would contact the SSA to find the specifics of your situation and if your income will impact her SSI.
I receive SSDI for my parents
I receive SSDI for my parents that are deceased I'm trying to figure out if I get married will I lose my benefits but I've been on disability since I was 10 years old I used to be on SSI but they changed it to SSDI when my parents passed away
In reply to I receive SSDI for my parents by Philip (not verified)
Hi Philip,
Hi Philip,
Marriage will not change your SSDI.
My soon to be husband
My soon to be husband receives SSDI and I receive SIS. Will Social Security combine it to a couples rate or will I just get my regular amount for both of us and he no longer is eligible for SSDI.
In reply to My soon to be husband by Suzanne (not verified)
Hi Suzanne,
Hi Suzanne,
Your new marriage will not impact your husband's SSDI but it may impact your SSI because SSI is based on income and financial resources.
I was wondering I'm on
I was wondering I'm on disability....can anyone still get married if they r on ssd...I know they will loose the insurance but what about the money..
In reply to I was wondering I'm on by Tonya (not verified)
Hi Tonya,
Hi Tonya,
If you are SSDI getting married will not affect your benefits.
So the government is saying
So the government is saying they would rather people live together unmarried so they dont loose their benifets. I am 63 just married a man 64 with 4th stage lymphoma. He was made wait 6 months to get his disability and still wait for his Medicare. I have been disabled sense 1993. My medicaid was stopped. I lost my SSI. And they want me to pay back money that the social security failed to do their job. How am I suppose to pay for my meds. When this man owes so much on hospital and cancer treatments.
In reply to So the government is saying by DEBRA hambright (not verified)
Hi Debra,
Hi Debra,
I am so sorry to hear that. You might want to speak with a SSA advocate to see what next steps you can take.
I just got married and all of
I just got married and all of the sudden my benefits disappeared without even a letter. Is this common or legal
In reply to I just got married and all of by Kris Hadley (not verified)
Hi Kris,
Hi Kris,
If you were receiving SSI, it is based on income so your spouse's income may have impacted your benefits. I would contact the SSA directly to find out what happened. Their number is 1-800-772-1213
I have SSD will i lose SSD if
I have SSD will i lose SSD if I get married
In reply to I have SSD will i lose SSD if by Ann (not verified)
Hi Ann,
Hi Ann,
You won't because SSDI benefits is based on your own record and not income.
I'm a 58 yr military
I'm a 58 yr military widow, I want to marry someone that has ssdi will he lose his benefits
In reply to I'm a 58 yr military by Carmen (not verified)
Hi Carmen,
Hi Carmen,
Marriage will not impact SSDI benefits.
I receive SSDI and I am
I receive SSDI and I am worried as I want to marry someone who is on SSI. Can you tell me what the damage will be to either him or me - or us both as a married couple? We don't know if we can even get married! Needless to say, I am afraid!
In reply to I receive SSDI and I am by Elodie (not verified)
Hi Elodie,
Hi Elodie,
Marriage will not affect your SSDI. It may impact his SSI though. SSI is based on household income, not just and individual's income.
I live in Texas and disabled
I live in Texas and disabled receiving both ssi and SSDI will getting married just through a church affect my benefits?
In reply to I live in Texas and disabled by Eric flores (not verified)
Hi Eric,
Hi Eric,
Your SSDI won't be affected, however your SSI may. SSI is based on income and the SSA will take into consideration your spouse's income as apart of yours.
I have SSI (from working) and
I have SSI (from working) and SSDI (from a working parent) and my fiance works. How will getting a marriage licenses and getting married effect me?
In reply to I have SSI (from working) and by Maria C (not verified)
Hi Maria,
Hi Maria,
Marriage will not affect SSDI but it does affect SSI as SSI is based on household income, so your SSI benefits may lessen or stop.
I am getting married next
I am getting married next month. I receive SSI and my fiancé is a full time student and won’t start working until next year. She has no income so will my SSI be affected?
In reply to I am getting married next by Christopher Scott (not verified)
Hi Christopher,
Hi Christopher,
If she has no income that it shouldn't affect, but since your situation is unique I would recommend speaking with a SSA representative regarding that.
I'm 33 years old and I
I'm 33 years old and I receive SSDI. The person with whom I want to marry is retired military and also receives 100% disability on the VA side. Will this hurt me? And also if he wanted to get a part time job?
In reply to I'm 33 years old and I by Monica Moore (not verified)
Hi Monica,
Hi Monica,
SSDI only looks at your individual income rather than household, so you should be okay.
My boyfriend receives ssi and
My boyfriend receives ssi and I work full time. We were thinking about getting married. He has diabetes and medicaid pays for all his test strips and diabetes machine. Will they take away his medical if we got married or will his medical still be covered?
In reply to My boyfriend receives ssi and by Kate (not verified)
Hi Kate,
Hi Kate,
If your boyfriend receives SSI there is a chance marriage could affect his benefits. SSI is based on household income so your income can impact his benefits if married.
I get a SS check on the 3rd
I get a SS check on the 3rd my boyfriend gets one on the 1st If we get married will either one of our income amounts be affected?
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