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
Hi, I am have been given SSD
Hi, I am have been given SSD due to my medical condition. If I marry someone also on SSD because of his health how will either of our benefits change?
In reply to Hi, I am have been given SSD by Tammy Herchek (not verified)
Hi Tammy,
Hi Tammy,
If either of you are on SSI, then the SSI may be reduced or stopped. Those receiving SSDI should not have any impacts on their benefits once you're married.
If im on ssdi under my
If im on ssdi under my fathers work record if i get married to someone with no income would i still then lose my income?
In reply to If im on ssdi under my by Daniel (not verified)
Hi Daniel,
Hi Daniel,
If you're receiving auxiliary benefits under your father's SSDI, then they will stop once you get married. If you are receiving SSDI on your own, then marriage should impact your benefits.
If the person I want to marry
If the person I want to marry has a payee due to having a physic disability will his checks be effected or cut off?
In reply to If the person I want to marry by Shelly (not verified)
Hi Shelly,
Hi Shelly,
If he is receiving SSI, then depending on your income, his benefits may be reduced or stopped. If he is receiving SSDI, then his benefits won't be affected by marriage.
My fiancé loves with me and
My fiancé loves with me and our son and my son. My son receives ssi they already count my fiancé’s income in, so if i get married it’s essentially no change right?
In reply to My fiancé loves with me and by Britany (not verified)
Hi Brittany,
Hi Brittany,
If they are already counting the income, then it doesn't sound like there should be a change. However, it is still worth calling you SSA office to double check.
hi I draw disability for my
hi I draw disability for my MS and I was wondering if I marry a woman with 3 kids and she works, would it decrease my income? with the children I would think it would make my cost of living go up
In reply to hi I draw disability for my by aaron (not verified)
Hi Aaron,
Hi Aaron,
If you receive SSDI, then you shouldn't see any impact on your benefits. If you are receiving SSI then her income may affect yours. If you're receiving SSI, you may want to contact the SSA to find out how it affects you.
Are my adoptive children
Are my adoptive children eligible for my SSDI?
In reply to Are my adoptive children by beki (not verified)
Hi Beki,
Hi Beki,
If your children are legally adoptive, a dependent of yours, under 18 (or enrolled in school full time) and unmarried then they are eligible for auxiliary benefits from your SSDI!
I get ssdi on my own work
I get ssdi on my own work record. If I get married will they take it away from me?
In reply to I get ssdi on my own work by Alisha (not verified)
Hi Alisha,
Hi Alisha,
Your benefits should not be changed at all by getting married!
If I get married will my
If I get married will my social security disability benefits? Be lowered or take him from me.
In reply to If I get married will my by Johnny (not verified)
Hi Johnny,
Hi Johnny,
SSDI is based on your own work history and therefore should not be affected by your marriage status.
I just got married and we
I just got married and we both draw disability. Neither of us draw off anyone else just off our own past work history. Will this effect either of our disability amounts?
In reply to I just got married and we by William (not verified)
Hi William,
Hi William,
If one person or both of you are receiving SSI, then their benefit may be reduced or stopped. SSI is based on household income, so the spouse's benefit will be factored in. Those on SSDI shouldn't see any changes.
I am not disabled, if I marry
I am not disabled, if I marry a woman over the age of 60 ,and she is permanently disabled, I do work, will her ssi payments be reduced. She is divorced.
In reply to I am not disabled, if I marry by Ben ,c (not verified)
Hi Ben,
Hi Ben,
SSI is based off of household income so it is possible that there will be a partial/full reduction of her benefits. I would recommend calling the SSA and explaining the situation and they will be able to look into your case in more detail.
I have ssd. If I get married,
I have ssd. If I get married, will it affect my spouses income? Will my ssd be decreased due to his income?
In reply to I have ssd. If I get married, by Evie (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
SSD is based on your own work history and therefore your household income/marraige status should not have an impact.
I am wondering if your on SSI
I am wondering if your on SSI and you marry someone with no income at all will it affect your SSI payments?
In reply to I am wondering if your on SSI by Gin (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
It is possible that this will affect your payments because in addition to income caps, there are asset limits that the ssa places on households. Here is some more information on the SSA's website:https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-resources.htm
ive been on ssdi since 2011.
ive been on ssdi since 2011. ive been single and i am considering marriage and buying a house. if i add my name to the house could i lose my benefits?
In reply to ive been on ssdi since 2011. by Delta (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
If you are on SSDI both marriage and purchasing a house should not affect your benefits. SSDI is based on your own work history and therefore should not be affected by household income.
If my son is 9 years old and
If my son is 9 years old and receives SSI from his biological father passing away, and also receives SSI from his speech/autistic disability as well.. I have no income at the moment, but when I did he received a little less then now. If I, his mother, marry a man with a work income, will he stop receiving one or both SSI? Will they only decrease? Also, how will it affect this situation if he gets adopted by him as well? Or not?
In reply to If my son is 9 years old and by C.Leon24 (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
A child's SSI is based on household income. I would contact the SSA to see if your partner's income will reduce his SSI.
I'm currently receiving
I'm currently receiving under 900 a month SSDI. I also qualify for Medicaid ( extra help)
I'm 47 and plan to marry one day to a future spouse that is healthy and still works. What happens then?
In reply to I'm currently receiving by Missy M. (not verified)
Hi Missy,
Hi Missy,
If you are receiving SSDI, then marriage won't impact your benefits!
I draw SSI my fiancé just
I draw SSI my fiancé just retired and draws retirement. Right now he’s trying to get his disability if he gets it he will draw 1678 in retirement each month and 2189 in disability. My question is we want to get married will I lose my whole check and my medical card. Or will I still be able to keep my medical card at least, please help
In reply to I draw SSI my fiancé just by Edna (not verified)
Hi Enda,
Hi Enda,
There is a chance you may lose your SSI, or it may be reduced.
My 41 year old daughter
My 41 year old daughter receives a small ss check based on her own previous income and a larger ssdi check based on her dad's and my income. We are both retried. What happens to her benefit ignore she marries a disabled man who also receives ssdi from historical deceased mother. His dad is not in the picture as far as I know.
In reply to My 41 year old daughter by Kay Hall (not verified)
Hi Kay,
Hi Kay,
If she is receiving SSI, it may be reduced or stopped. SSI is based on household income and her new husband's income will count.
Do you have to file taxes for
Do you have to file taxes for points to be counted when determining ssdi eligibility? Also, how do you apply for ssdi vs ssi?
Thank you
In reply to Do you have to file taxes for by Jennifer wallach (not verified)
Hi Jennifer,
Hi Jennifer,
You're correct. SSDI requires you have a specific amount of work credits, which are earned by paying into Social Security taxes. You can apply online for both benefits.
My boyfriend Garry is on
My boyfriend Garry is on disability so am i if we get married would that change our benefits?
In reply to My boyfriend Garry is on by Judy (not verified)
Hi Judy,
Hi Judy,
If he is receiving SSDI, then no. If he is receiving SSI, then his benefits may be reduced or stopped.
I just got engaged but my
I just got engaged but my boyfriend has SSD income with his mom as his payee. He has gotten SSD since he was 4 years old. I work full time but make less than $35K a year. Will he lose his benefits by marrying me?
In reply to I just got engaged but my by Sativa (not verified)
Hi Sativa,
Hi Sativa,
It depends on your monthly income! If you are above the threshold then his SSI may be reduced or stopped.
Myself & my boyfriend are
Myself & my boyfriend are both disabled. I get SSDI & SSI. He gets SSDI & workman's comp.. I have both Medicare & Medicaid. He has just Medicare.
We currently live in separate households.
We want to know how getting married would impact our benefits?
In reply to Myself & my boyfriend are by M&J (not verified)
Hi M&J,
Hi M&J,
SSDI is based on your own work history, therefore that should not be affected by marriage status. SSI on the other hand is dependent on income and when you become married your SSI eligibility would be determined by household income. Workman's comp is not something that will be affected, but it might be counted as household income after marriage. As far as Medicare and Medicade go, that falls a little bit outside of our scope of knowledge.
Without knowing the exact details of your specific situation, I would not be able to tell you exactly how your benefits will be changed. I would recommend calling your local SSA office and explaining the situation and they will be able to go into more detail for your specific case.
My question is? Im on ssdi
My question is? Im on ssdi and my son who is turning 4 is drawing ssi off me. He has no disability. So his dad proposed and we want to get married. Will they take ssi that my son gets if we get married?
In reply to My question is? Im on ssdi by Dawn Renee (not verified)
Hi Dawn,
Hi Dawn,
If your son has no disability then he is likely not receiving SSI. If he is receiving a benefit drawn off your SSDI, then he would be receiving auxiliary benefits, which should not be affected by your new marriage. If he is receiving SSI due to a disabling condition that he is experiencing, then his benefit may be lowered or stopped depending on your new spouse's income.
is my husband income and my
is my husband income and my bank account affects on my SSDI ?
In reply to is my husband income and my by MAHI (not verified)
Hi Mahi,
Hi Mahi,
SSDI is based on work credits, not income. Because of this, his income should not impact your SSDI.
I'm getting married and
I'm getting married and my soon to be wife is on SSDI on her work history and on Medicare and Medicaid will she lose this if we get married. We live in idaho
In reply to I'm getting married and by Brian (not verified)
Hi,
Hi,
Marriage will not affect your social security disability benefits. However I am not sure about Medicare and Medicaid as it falls outside of our area of expertise.
I receive SSDI 4 medical
I receive SSDI 4 medical conditions on my own record, if I were to get married would I continue to get these SSDI benefits
In reply to I receive SSDI 4 medical by Patricia (not verified)
Hi Patricia,
Hi Patricia,
Marriage will not impact your SSDI.
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