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 My finance get SSI. I make by Gwen (not verified)
Hi Gwen,
Hi Gwen,
SSI is based on household income, so your income will impact his benefits. $72K is above the SGA, so it's likely he would lose his SSI.
If you and your fiance
If you and your fiance receive disability and is thinking about getting married was it Mess up my disability check did I get every month
In reply to If you and your fiance by Betty (not verified)
Hi Betty,
Hi Betty,
It won't if you are both on SSDI because those payments are based on your records and not on income.
What is SSDI?
What is SSDI?
In reply to What is SSDI? by Linda (not verified)
Hi Linda,
Hi Linda,
SSDI=Social Security Disability Insurance. It provides income to individuals no longer able to work because of a physically or psychologically restrictive disability.
Will I loose my ssi benefits
Will I loose my ssi benefits when I get married?
In reply to Will I loose my ssi benefits by Faith (not verified)
Hi Faith,
Hi Faith,
You may not lose it all together, but your benefits may be affected since the SSA will consider your future's spouses income as apart of yours.
Hi I’m on SSDI and my future
Hi I’m on SSDI and my future husband received SSI will my disability benefits change if we marry or his. And also god forbid he should pass will his benefits go to me upon his demised please let us know thank you
In reply to Hi I’m on SSDI and my future by Ladypa (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
Your SSDI will not change, but his SSI benefits may since the SSA will count your income as a part of his.
Depending on how long you two will had been married, you could qualify for survivor's benefits.
My husband and I recently got
My husband and I recently got married. He has SSDI but doesn’t work and receives Medicare. The insurance is great for him. On the other hand I work. Will he lose his benefits and Medicare since we got married and I work? Will I have to add him to my insurance? He got the benefits and Medicare before me so being married would it affect his situation? Ty
In reply to My husband and I recently got by Megan (not verified)
Hi Megan,
Hi Megan,
I can't say for sure about adding him to your Insurance. But he will not lose his benefits by being married because his SSDI and medicare is based on his condition and not on income.
I am on SSDI and have never
I am on SSDI and have never worked. My partner is on SSI and can no longer work. Can we get legally married?
In reply to I am on SSDI and have never by Tila (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
Yes, you can legally get marries, but your partner's SSI benefits may be affected as the SSA will count your income as apart of theirs.
I’m getting SSDI & SSI.
I’m getting SSDI & SSI. If I meet a man and he’s on SSDI. If we move in together will either of my benefit change
In reply to I’m getting SSDI & SSI. by Tootie (not verified)
If you aren't legally married
If you aren't legally married, then your SSI benefits will not be affected.
If i work and my gf gets ssi
If i work and my gf gets ssi and we were to get married would my income affect her ssi?
In reply to If i work and my gf gets ssi by Kimberlee (not verified)
Hi Kimberlee,
Hi Kimberlee,
Your income could likely lower or stop her SSI depending on what your monthly income is.
In reply to Hi Kimberlee, by rsg
Even if we are both females?
Even if we are both females?
In reply to Even if we are both females? by Kim (not verified)
Hi Kim, Yes, even so.
Hi Kim,
Yes, even so.
Hi me and my boyfriend do not
Hi me and my boyfriend do not work at the moment my daughter receives ssi we are thinking about getting married next year maybe. If we do this will it effect my daughter check?
In reply to Hi me and my boyfriend do not by Kellie (not verified)
Hi Kellie,
Hi Kellie,
If your daughter is under the age of 18, it could depending on how much you and your future spouse earn a month.
My son and girlfriend are
My son and girlfriend are both deaf. My son has good income so his ssi was terminated few years ago. His girlfriend is receiving ssi/ssdi. Will she lose her benefits when they get married?
In reply to My son and girlfriend are by Luci (not verified)
Hi Luci,
Hi Luci,
She would likely lose her SSI or have it reduced. Her SSDI should not be impacted.
I was disabled at 18 and
I was disabled at 18 and started receiving benefits under my stepfather. Recently got married and we are over SSI requirements 208 dollars. How many work credits do I need to try to get I haven't work since I was 17 and now we are drowning
In reply to I was disabled at 18 and by Ablood85 (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
That's tough. You can check out this pamphlet that has a chart on how many work credits you need for your age: ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10072.pdf
Question.
Question.
I've been on SSDI for back and Fibromyalgia since 2011. I've been engaged for 2 years now because I'm afraid to lose my benefits. My fiancee owns a business which income is year round, but severely seasonal. I'm ok with losing food stamps, but not my medical since I recently got into a car accident. Thing is, we keep everything separate. Always have, and will continue. He would not be claiming me either (or does he have to?). Since his business is still new, everything he makes, gets put back in. His take home is very small, but the gross amount is big. How will this effect me and my benefits and is there other options?
In reply to Question. by Carrie (not verified)
Hi Carrie,
Hi Carrie,
If you are on SSDI then his income won't affect your benefits. It would if you were on SSI. The only income that would affect your benefits would be yours if you started working.
My question is if u was born
My question is if u was born with a disability& can't work or do anything like normal people & wanting to get marry the guy of ur dreams but u have to find out if u can or can't get married cause of ur ssi...so really I'm asking what can I do to marry the guy of mine dreams without losing all of my ssi cause I can't work or anything....also my kids wants to know I didn't or have married their dad yet...i just feel like it's not right in the people situation thy was born with a disability& can't work at all...that shouldn't stop us for being happy with our love one or the guy u always wanted to be with
In reply to My question is if u was born by Adrienne (not verified)
Hi Adrienne,
Hi Adrienne,
You may not lose your SSI benefits all togther by getting married. SSI is a needs based program for those with very little income. When you get married the SSI will count your future spouse's income as a part of yours as well.
Im on ssdisability thinking
Im on ssdisability thinking of getting married in th future will it affect my status
In reply to Im on ssdisability thinking by Lilia (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
If you are on SSDI benefits, then getting married will not affect your benefits.
I make $3,000 my bf is
I make $3,000 my bf is waiting for benefits, if we get married does he lose his benefits or will he lose any financial stability he is hoping to achieve?
In reply to I make $3,000 my bf is by Yvonne (not verified)
Hi Yvonne,
Hi Yvonne,
If he is approved for SSI and you get married, then he will likely lose his benefits. If he is approved for SSDI then marriage won't affect them.
If I receive SSD and my
If I receive SSD and my boyfriend receives SSI my boyfriend and I are getting married but we also just found out he’s terminal if we still get married which we are how will this effect our benefits? Will I be able to collect his SSI? He wants to know I’m not marrying him for the money thank you
In reply to If I receive SSD and my by Christine Horwath (not verified)
Hi Christine,
Hi Christine,
If you get married, his SSI may be reduced or even stopped depending on how much you receive for SSDI.
I am on Social Security
I am on Social Security supplements am I able to get married will that affect my benefits could you explain to me what social security supplement means
In reply to I am on Social Security by Carmen (not verified)
Hi Carmen,
Hi Carmen,
There are two types of Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Those receiving SSI may have their benefits reduced or stopped depending on their new spouse's income. Those on SSDI should not see any changes in their benefits when getting married.
I was awarded SSDI on my mert
I was awarded SSDI on my mert of disabilities that I have, 19 years ago. Got divorced and I want get married again, will his income affect my SSDI? I know my SSI might disappear and can claim on my ex of 30 year after the age of 62 and widowed/single.
In reply to I was awarded SSDI on my mert by Shirley Price (not verified)
Hi Shirley,
Hi Shirley,
You are correct, your SSI might stop. If you remarry, you won't be able to claim anything from your ex. Marriage also will not impact SSDI.
I just want to ensure I have
I just want to ensure I have this accurate. I've never been married and have been on SSDI based on my OWN earnings for over 20 years now. I'm in my 50s and FINALLY met a decent man and we want moral, proper marriage. My benefit IS SSDI based on OWN earnings, which were very high in my 20s and early 30s so benefit is high. Seems a LOT of misinformation out there as so many forms of Social Security.
I will NOT lose my SSDI?
Thank you, in advance :-)
In reply to I just want to ensure I have by Karina (not verified)
Hi Karina,
Hi Karina,
Because you are on SSDI, you should be fine! If you were on SSI, then your benefits may be reduced or stopped.
Hello I'm in a same sex
Hello I'm in a same sex relationship I was just approve to recieve SSDI . My girlfriend wants to marry me will getting marry affect my social security disability income?. I hope. Ot because she really supports me with my anxiety and panic disorder. I cant be alone.
In reply to Hello I'm in a same sex by Flaca (not verified)
Hi!
Hi!
Because you are receiving SSDI, marriage shouldn't affect your benefits. SSDI is based on your work credits not income. If you were receiving SSI, then marriage may.
Hi i just put in a question
Hi i just put in a question to u about getting married and wud i keep my disability allowance..but now im so confused ..im not sure if im on ssi or the other one ..i had to give up work due to stress and just over breast cancer .
In reply to Hi i just put in a question by Jeannette (not verified)
Hi Jeannette,
Hi Jeannette,
If you still have your awards letter, it should say which benefit you have. Or you can log into your MySSA account and it should be listed there. The SSA's number is 1-800-772-1213 to call and ask as well. If you have SSDI then marriage won't affect your benefits. If you have SSI then marriage may reduce or stop your benefits.
My husband is receiving SSDI.
My husband is receiving SSDI. Can I receive SSDI, separately from him? We live in Kentucky.
In reply to My husband is receiving SSDI. by Debbie (not verified)
Hi Debbie,
Hi Debbie,
You can receive SSDI based on your work history if you have enough credits. Your husband's SSDI won't affect it.
Im on ssi and my boyfriend
Im on ssi and my boyfriend works his monthly income is around $700. I want to marry him we have been together for 9 years but im afraid with 3 kids. My money would be cut down so much that we couldn't afford to pay the bills and care for children. How much would they cut my money if we did get married.
In reply to Im on ssi and my boyfriend by Angel b. (not verified)
Hi Angel,
Hi Angel,
I can't say for sure how much, but the SSA will consider your husband's income as apart of yours, which could cut down your benefits.
If i receive disability, not
If i receive disability, not s.s. then do i loose my check if I marry my girlfriend.. Yes same sex
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