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 Hi, I have a question. I' by Melvin (not verified)
Hi Melvin,
Hi Melvin,
If the child is receiving disability based on the mother's income, then yes, it may change if (1. You two are married and thus her income changes because your income would be counted along with hers for determining benefits and (2. Your state's guidelines for child support define child support as income for the purposes of calculating child disability benefits.
I. am drawing my social
I. am drawing my social security disability on my own income from my working.I am 64 years of age.My friend is drawing his own social security income he 63 years of age. If we got married would it effect our social security.
In reply to I. am drawing my social by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
it may not affect anything as social security benefits are based on your income, but either of you may become eligible for benefits on the other's work record if the amount is higher than what you would get on your own record.
My fiance is on total
My fiance is on total disability, he is 57. I draw SSI and have No Healthier, I am 57. If we marry will either of our benefits change?
In reply to My fiance is on total by Pam (not verified)
Hi Pam,
Hi Pam,
Yes, your benefits may change as combined household income may be used to calculate eligibility for benefits. Your fiance's benefits may not change if he is receiving benefits based off of his work record.
? I get SSI, my wife is
? I get SSI, my wife is eligible for SS @ 62+ 2mons, will my SSI affect her SS or my SSI or does help us being single.
In reply to ? I get SSI, my wife is by RObert (not verified)
Hi Robert,
Hi Robert,
Your wife's retirement benefits may affect your SSI if your combined income exceeds the limits for SSI benefits.
I was wondering if your
I was wondering if your spouse is on SSDI and you come into some money can your spouse lose their SSDI?
In reply to I was wondering if your by Misty (not verified)
Hi Misty,
Hi Misty,
No, as SSDI is based off of work record rather than income.
If we change my wifes last
If we change my wifes last name, will we lose her SSDI? And will we lose her Medi-Cal as well?
In reply to If we change my wifes last by Matt (not verified)
Hi Matt,
Hi Matt,
You may not lose those benefits because of a name change, but to avoid confusion it is best to contact the SSA as soon as the name has been changed.
Okay so if me and my finance
Okay so if me and my finance recieve ssdi it won't affect our wages if we get married
In reply to Okay so if me and my finance by Unknown (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
if both of you have SSDI benefits, then your benefits would not change as SSDI benefits are based off of work record.
HI if my fiance and I don&
HI if my fiance and I don't get married till after his SSDI is granted will I still receive benefits as his wife? Or do we need to make sure we are married before his SSDI is granted?
In reply to HI if my fiance and I don& by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
Neither would affect you eligibility for SSDI, you would have to apply for those benefits regardless of when you were married.
I receive SSDI, if I decide
I receive SSDI, if I decide to marry a person that receives SSDI will our benefits be terminated.
In reply to I receive SSDI, if I decide by W.K.Greene (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
Your SSI benefits would only end if your combined income is over the federal benefit limit for families.
I get $1005 monthly for SSDI
I get $1005 monthly for SSDI for stenosis in my back. I want to get married to a lady who makes 10,200 annually, not much uh. Would her income effect my government money or, either of our Insurances? I'm on Medicare & she's on Fidelis. We cant afford any reduction of any monies or insurance. I just need an opinon or knowledge on this matter. Thank you.
In reply to I get $1005 monthly for SSDI by Eddie Roberson (not verified)
Hi Eddie,
Hi Eddie,
Your benefits would not be effected, SSDI benefits are not based on income. If you are receiving income based benefits, then marriage may change your benefits.
OK I LEFT MY HUSBAND THREE
OK I LEFT MY HUSBAND THREE WEEKS AGO AND I GET SSI AND SECRITY BENAFITS AND WERE STILL MARRIED WHO CAN AFFORD A DIVORCE WILL MY PAYMENTS GO UP CAUSE I DO T GET BUT HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN DOLLARS A MONTH THANKYOU
In reply to OK I LEFT MY HUSBAND THREE by marie (not verified)
Hi Marie,
Hi Marie,
It may be a good idea to contact the SSA regarding your recent separation so that they can re-assess your eligibility for benefits.
I get Ssi and my male friend
I get Ssi and my male friend gets SSDI and Postal retirement we want to get married but not sure if we would lose income if we do..... He is 65 I am 62....
In reply to I get Ssi and my male friend by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
The SSA may re-calculate your SSI benefits based on you and your spouse's combined income if you get married.
Hi, I am 28 I was diagnosed
Hi, I am 28 I was diagnosed with renal failure at 18 years old, since then I have been and continue receiving my deceased fathers SSDI, I eventually plan to marry. Will getting married affect my SSDI, and if how so?? Thank you!
In reply to Hi, I am 28 I was diagnosed by Melissa (not verified)
Hi Melissa,
Hi Melissa,
If you're getting SSDI through a parent's work record, you may lose those benefits if you're married. You can find some more information here:
https://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/dqualify10.html
My adult son gets ssdi and im
My adult son gets ssdi and im his payee if i get married will he lose his benifits
In reply to My adult son gets ssdi and im by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
If you son is receiving SSDI benefits based on his work record, then he would still get those disability benefits.
Im gay and I get ssi. My
Im gay and I get ssi. My partner gets ssdi. If we get married will I lose my benifits
In reply to Im gay and I get ssi. My by Candy (not verified)
Hi Candy,
Hi Candy,
Regardless of gender/sexual preference, the SSA calculates SSI eligibility for married couples by combined household income. So, you would lose benefits if it's established that your combined income is too high for SSI benefits.
If I move back in with my
If I move back in with my husband and he has full custody of 2 children will it hurt my ssi
In reply to If I move back in with my by Stephanie (not verified)
Hi Stephanie,
Hi Stephanie,
It may if the SSA had calculated your eligibility for SSI benefits based on a single person household, they may calculate your benefits based on you and your husband's combined income. It may be a good idea to contact the SSA regarding this, they can give you detailed information as to how that process works in your case.
if I get ssdi and work part
if I get ssdi and work part time and get married and my husband to be works will it affect my ssdi benefits. also I was at one time receiveing ssi and I think at one point I was changed to ssdi because of my mothers income how can I find out if that is no longer the case this will really be a great help. thanking you in advance.
In reply to if I get ssdi and work part by diane (not verified)
Hi Diane,
Hi Diane,
You can contact the SSA, they can let you know if you are receiving benefits on another person's work record or your own. If you're receiving benefits on your own work record, your benefits may not change after marriage.
If i am drawing ssdi and I
If i am drawing ssdi and I get married does my new wife get to draw off me
In reply to If i am drawing ssdi and I by Wilburn watson (not verified)
Hi Willburn,
Hi Willburn,
She may be able to under certain circumstances.
I just got approved for
I just got approved for social security... idk if it's ssi or Ssdi.... but I'm married (same sex) we have a daughter together.... my wife is the only one who works and she makes like 4,000 a month... does this mean the 5years I faught to get approve for my ptsd and major depression/anxiety will all be shot to hell cause I'm mArried???? And my back pay??? Help please
In reply to I just got approved for by Makani (not verified)
Hi Makani,
Hi Makani,
If you're applying for SSDI benefits, then that won't really matter as those benefits are based off of your work record rather than income and financial resources. If you're applying for SSI, then your spouse's income would matter in this case.
I have applied for ssdi and
I have applied for ssdi and ssi. If I get married during this process, will it hurt my chances to qualify for benifits?
In reply to I have applied for ssdi and by Jill Taylor (not verified)
Hi Jill,
Hi Jill,
It would not if you are still otherwise eligible for either benefits program.
I am currently recieving
I am currently recieving adult disabled child benefits @ age 24. I am contemplating marrying my boyfriend of 8 years. He is currently incarcerated. before he went to prison he recieved ssi benefits, and will recieve them when he gets out as well. Will marrying someone who recieves ssi affect my benifits? Hopefuly by the time he gets out i will not be recieving benefits because i intend on supporting myself by then. (12 years)
In reply to I am currently recieving by Miss P. (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
Marriage may affect your benefits as it may change your eligibility for adult disabled child benefits, regardless if they are SSI.
Hello my Question to you is I
Hello my Question to you is I am receiving Social Security Disability Benefit and I was wanting to know if I get married again to someone who has some money would I lose my Benifits. Also my wife recently passed and I receive a widows benefit from her would my getting married again affect my benefits.
In reply to Hello my Question to you is I by Charles (not verified)
Hi Charles,
Hi Charles,
If you get married after age 60, you may still retain your survivor's benefits. However, your regular disability benefits will depend if they are work record based (SSDI) or if they are income based (SSI). If you receive SSDI, then they may not change. If you receive SSI, then they may change based on your and your future spouse's income.
I am on ssdi and survived
I am on ssdi and survived disability. My boyfriend is on ssdi and ssi. We are planning on getting married soon. We also live in Texas. What would happen to our incomes.
In reply to I am on ssdi and survived by Melba (not verified)
Hi Melba,
Hi Melba,
Your SSDI benefits may not change, but your spouse's SSI may change because SSI benefits are calculated by household income for married individuals.
I have recently applied for
I have recently applied for disability my fiance we live together he still works if him and I were to get married would that mess with me getting my disability was supposed to get married next week I was on long term disability through Cigna through my job and recently lost it and that's the reason I applied for the Social Security disability I still want to marry my fiance we've been together 20 years I guess I just don't know what to dowe both made good money he still does plus i have a pension I can draw I need to draw a lump sum or if I didn't want to draw a lump sum it only be $70 a month for the rest of my lifewhat would that do to me I'm supposed to go talk to a lawyer on Monday I guess I just want to know what to expect want to go in with eyes wide open and not hands tied behind my back
In reply to I have recently applied for by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
If you're applying for benefits based off of your own work record, then marriage may not affect your application. Regardless, it may be a good idea to contact the SSA regarding all this.
My fiancé receives ssdi
My fiancé receives ssdi benefits, so if we marry will it affect his benefits or would I be eligible to receive benefits under his?
In reply to My fiancé receives ssdi by Sherrise B. (not verified)
Hi Sherrise,
Hi Sherrise,
It may not affect his benefits if he's receiving SSDI, however you may not be eligible for benefits except if you are also disabled or care for a child under the age of 16.
Im engaged to get married and
Im engaged to get married and me and my son gets SSDI will that stop if i get married
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