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
If I'm 57 a widow and
If I'm 57 a widow and disabled would I lose my SSI IF I GET MARRIED
In reply to If I'm 57 a widow and by Charlene (not verified)
Hi Charlene,
Hi Charlene,
SSI is based on household income and therefore it is possible that you will lose your benefits. To get an exact answer you will have to discuss with your local SSA office because they will be able to look at both of your incomes and assets more closely.
If you are disabled and have have a history of working, you may qualify for disability benefits. SSDI is bases solely on your work history and therefore is not affected by marriage. If you fill out the information on the following link, you can be connected to an attorney who can help.
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/form/free-disability-evaluation
My gf has ssi if we got
My gf has ssi if we got married what would happen to her ssi
In reply to My gf has ssi if we got by Dakota Bullington (not verified)
Hi Dakota,
Hi Dakota,
To get an exact answer you would have to talk to your local SSA office, however I can give you a general answer.
SSI is based on the income of your household. To keep receiving SSI the two of you would have to remain below specific income and asset caps. The following link should explain in a little more detail what those limits are.
I am filing for disability
I am filing for disability and I am married but we don’t live together will that have a bad turn out in my pay or not
In reply to I am filing for disability by Diania (not verified)
Hi Diania,
Hi Diania,
Disability benefits are only affected by your own work history. Therefore, your marriage and living status should not have an effect on your benefits.
I'm on Social security
I'm on Social security disability, my husband just got approved for his Social security disability. Can my husband Social security disability check be deposited into my account
I am a 65 year old widow and
I am a 65 year old widow and have been receiving ssdi benefits since 2005. I have a fiancé and he is also on ssdi. Will his moving in affect my benefits? Thank you
In reply to I am a 65 year old widow and by Lynn (not verified)
Hi Lynn,
Hi Lynn,
Congratulations! Both of your benefits are based on your own work history therefore your living and marriage status should not affect either of your benefits.
I me and my fiancé get
I me and my fiancé get married will that effect my social security disability that I receive? He also has back child support, will they take from my ssd to help pay his back child support? Will we be any way effected if we get married. He does work.
In reply to I me and my fiancé get by Shonda (not verified)
Hi Shonda,
Hi Shonda,
Since disability is based on your individual work history, getting married should not affect your benefits.
I am on SSDI and I work, my
I am on SSDI and I work, my first year back to work with a ticket to work, so I have additional income, I am planning on getting married and I am wondering if this will affect the additional amount I make and my SSDI with my spouse's income. We will not be living together until the middle of next year.
In reply to I am on SSDI and I work, my by Vivian (not verified)
Hi Vivian,
Hi Vivian,
If you are on SSDI, then marriage won't affect your benefits.
If I'm on ssi and I get
If I'm on ssi and I get married and my spouse dont have income does my benefits change to couples or stop if I get married ?
In reply to If I'm on ssi and I get by Tanesha (not verified)
Hi Tanesha,
Hi Tanesha,
Getting married can have an effect on your benefits because they are calculated using household income. To review your specific situation in more detail, I recommend contacting your local SSA office.
Hi. My brother-in-law draws
Hi. My brother-in-law draws SSI on his now deceased parent. Has drawn SSI for most of his adult life. He married recently and found out he is no longer going to receive the SSI. His wife is also disabled and has a guardian. She receives her deceased mothers teacher retirement benefits. To my knowledge, she doesn’t receive SSI or SSDI. Is it possible for my BIL to keep his SSI and what is the process to appeal the decision to stop his SSI?
Thank you for your time. I appreciate this forum. It is helpful, especially to someone just learning to navigate the SSA processes.
In reply to Hi. My brother-in-law draws by Rhodagrl (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
The way that SSI is calculated is by household income and assets. That could be the reason that he was told his SSI would be stopped. Your best resource will be your local SSA office as they can go over your case in detail that we cannot. I recommend setting up an in person appointment to go over the case.
my boyfriend is on disability
my boyfriend is on disability and gets ssdi and ssi and i am also on disability and get ssdi and ssi. I have extremely serious health problems also and i need $9000 of medication per month. i have medicare and medicade and he also has both medicare and medicade. we both have food stamps and need all of them. and we don't get enough money to eat the whole month or pay bills between the two of us together even though my house is paid off. so we cant have our money decreased atall!!! we need it to go up if possible so we can eat the last week of the month. any idea what would happen? I been wondering fopr years. but I don't want to sit on hold for 6 hours. and 97% of the time you get somebody to stupid to answer the questions you ask...
In reply to my boyfriend is on disability by kitty (not verified)
Hi Kitty,
Hi Kitty,
I am sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, marriage can affect your SSI benefits. Assets are calculated as a household and therefore marriage status could change have an effect.
If possible I would meet with an SSA officer in person. They will be able to go over the details of your case that we are not able to.
SSDI on the other hand is calculated based on your own previous work history and therefore marriage should not have an effect on that.
I receive SSI. If my
I receive SSI. If my boyfriend doesn't make a lot of money and we get married will my benefits be terminated? Is there a specific amount of money he can make and we would be ok to get married without it affecting my benefits?
In reply to I receive SSI. If my by Lindsey (not verified)
Hi Lindsey,
Hi Lindsey,
There is you. Once married, as a couple you cannot have more than $3,000 in assets.
Hi, my name is Lisa, I'm
Hi, my name is Lisa, I'm receiving ssdi, in which I worked and paid into, now I'm disabled and can not receive any medical help because I'm married and my husband works ,
So there going by the both of our income, shouldn't I be getting medical regardless since I have paid into this? Would appreciate any suggestions,thank you,
In reply to Hi, my name is Lisa, I'm by Lisa (not verified)
Hi Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
If you have earned the required work credits then your marriage should not affect you ability to receive disability benefits. I recommend that you contact an attorney. You can have your case reviewed for free here: https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/form/free-disability-evaluation
If we both are on SSD and if
If we both are on SSD and if we get married will I lose my extra benefits that help me pay my Insurance and will it affect my or her medical benefits
That is our main issue losing insurance or medical coverage that we most definitely can’t do
Thank you
Sherry
In reply to If we both are on SSD and if by Sherry (not verified)
Hi Sherry,
Hi Sherry,
Disability benefits are based on your own work history. They are not affected by your household income and therefore your marriage status should not affect your benefits.
I currently receive SSDI
I currently receive SSDI benefits, will getting married affect my benefits?
In reply to I currently receive SSDI by John S. (not verified)
Hi John,
Hi John,
SSDI is based on your own work history and therefore household income should have no affect on your benefits.
Hi, my husband receives
Hi, my husband receives social security disability, since he is disabled I am our son's caregiver, therefor I get a portion for taking care of our son. I also work, will my income affect what I get as a caregiver from SSDI?
In reply to Hi, my husband receives by miranda (not verified)
Hi Miranda,
Hi Miranda,
This could depend on the age of your son. The qualifications for children and adults will vary. If you provide that information I might be able to give you a better answer. You can also contact your local SSA office who will be able to look at the more specific details of your case.
I am 50 years old my partner
I am 50 years old my partner is 40 i have been collecting disability benefits since i was 25 if i should choose to get married, could i eventually choose to collect my partners social security if those benefits are more than my current benefits? if so would i need to wait until my spouse is retired and already collecting benefits? also would i lose my medicare medicaid due to my partners earnings if i draw under ten grand a year social security and they draw 38 grand a year while working?
My Boyfriend and I are
My Boyfriend and I are considering getting married and I recieve Supplemental security income. I would like to know if I would loose my ssi when we do get married. He works a full time Job and I would like to know how I can keep my ssi even if we do get married .
In reply to My Boyfriend and I are by Krystal Tillman (not verified)
Hi Krystal,
Hi Krystal,
SSI benefits are based on your household income and therefore it is definitely possible that your benefits are affected. There are income and asset caps that the SSA sets for SSI. The following link is to the SSA website and will explain asset limits in a little more detail:
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-resources.htm
how much does ssi get month ?
how much does ssi get month ?
In reply to how much does ssi get month ? by cameron leemon (not verified)
Hi Cameron,
Hi Cameron,
The maximum monthly payment amount for the SSI program is based on the "federal benefit rate" (FBR). In 2019, the FBR is $771 per month for individuals and $1,157 for couples.
So I wanted to no if I was to
So I wanted to no if I was to get married b4 I get qualified for my SSDI.is it going to affect mr..Its my own earnings
In reply to So I wanted to no if I was to by Lauren (not verified)
Hi Lauren,
Hi Lauren,
Disability is based on your own work history and not income. Therefore your benefits should not be affected.
I am about to get married and
I am about to get married and need to file for disability for myself. I have worked for 36 years and am 52 years old. Will i be able to get disability and how will they determine the amount?
In reply to I am about to get married and by Melissa (not verified)
Hi Melissa,
Hi Melissa,
Your eligibility will depend on if the condition you are experiencing meets one of the Blue Book listings. Because you have worked for the past 36 years, you should have enough work credits. I would recommend you review the Blue Book with your doctor to make sure you meet a listing and that you'll have enough medical evidence to support your claim.
They determine how much you receive based on a variety of factors, such as how much you've paid into Social Security taxes, cost of living, your condition and the medications/treatments needed, etc.
Hi I presently get Social
Hi I presently get Social security disability and my spouse get social security disability. We got married over a year ago. I am 61 and will be on disability for almost two years. My husband is 57 and have been on disability since 2009. Can I get his benefits in addition to mine or what would be the best thing for us to do?
In reply to Hi I presently get Social by Denise (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
You would only be able to receive some of his benefits if they exceed the benefits that you are able to receive. It is likely that your own SSDI benefits are more valuable. Neither of your benefits should be negatively impacted by the marriage and if you have any more questions, you should reach out to your local SSA office.
I don't understand why a
I don't understand why a person cant get married while on disability that not fare to other person
In reply to I don't understand why a by Joyce (not verified)
Hi Joyce,
Hi Joyce,
You are absolutely able to get married while on disability and your benefits should not change!
My boyfriend currently
My boyfriend currently receives SSDI and Medicare due to a critical illness. My income is six figures which majority is tied to bills due to the limited amount he receives. What will happen to his benefits (income and ins.) if we get married?
In reply to My boyfriend currently by Liz (not verified)
Hi Liz,
Hi Liz,
If he is receiving SSDI, then his benefits will not be impacted by marriage!
Me and my boyfriend are both
Me and my boyfriend are both 54yrs old he draws social security disability if we get married will his check stop or be cut off.
In reply to Me and my boyfriend are both by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
Disability pay is based only on work history and therefore his benefits should not be affected by a change in marriage status.
I have more than one question
I have more than one question. I am on SSDI. I plan to marry someone who has private health insurance through his employer.
1. Will that affect my SSDI
2. Could I be added to his insurance as a supplemental insurance?
3. Will he be responsible for any medical bills that I incurred prior to our marriage?
In reply to I have more than one question by Renee (not verified)
Hi Renee,
Hi Renee,
Marriage won't affect your SSDI as it is based on work history and not income. As for the other questions, I think your husband's insurance agency would be better equipped to answer those questions.
My boyfriend get Social
My boyfriend get Social Security and I recive SSI if a got married they took me my SSI check?
In reply to My boyfriend get Social by Luz (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
It is possible that you will see a partial to full reduction of your benefits based on the household income you would have after being married. Without knowing the specifics of your case, I cannot be certain what the exact outcome would be. I would recommend giving your local SSA office a call.
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