How Will Marriage Affect My Disability Benefits?

Submitted by Daniel on

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

Jeanette (not verified)

I am receiving ssi and ssdi

I am receiving ssi and ssdi and getting married I used my own work record , will I lose any of my disabilities ?

Thu, 09/21/2017 - 10:20 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jeanette (not verified)

HI Jeanette,

HI Jeanette,
You may not, however it's a good idea to contact the SSA regarding this.

Thu, 09/21/2017 - 14:33 Permalink
Tona (not verified)

I receive SSI and my husband

I receive SSI and my husband was just placed on temporary disability due to some health concerns. Will that affect my payments? He only receives 800 twice a month.

Sat, 09/23/2017 - 01:17 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Tona (not verified)

Hi Tona,

Hi Tona,

It could, since SSI payments will “deem” a portion of your spouse’s income to your record. You should contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to see if they have more information regarding this.

Tue, 09/26/2017 - 09:24 Permalink
Marilyn combs keeton (not verified)

I receive ssi disability

I receive ssi disability Medicare medicade will it be effected if I get married

Sat, 09/23/2017 - 19:51 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Marilyn combs keeton (not verified)

Hi Marilyn,

Hi Marilyn,

Getting married will not affect your eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits or for Medicare.

Tue, 09/26/2017 - 09:18 Permalink
J. (not verified)

I was approved for social

I was approved for social security and SSI in 2007 under my father's social security earnings. Even though I was over 18 they still considered me an "adult disabled child". My father passed away in 2015 but I still receive a little bit of SSI and social security each month. I don't have much of a work history and I know for a fact that I haven't earned enough to draw social security for myself. I do however have a lot of medical problems, I don't want to spend my life unable to get married because I draw from my father's benefits. Is there ANY way at all for me to file and receive social security if I didn't earn enough in my life? I wasn't able to work much before I was approved to draw from my dad's earnings. Please help me figure this out. I need the money each month but I don't want to be banned from being able to be married. I need a solution of some kind. This is so wrong of the government to do this to us... It's sickening and so so depressing.

Sun, 09/24/2017 - 07:25 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by J. (not verified)

HI J,

HI J,
I'm sorry to hear about that! You may want to contact the SSA regarding the rules about this. You can call them at 1-800-772-1213.

Mon, 09/25/2017 - 16:50 Permalink
Dewey Wakefield (not verified)

I have benn on ssd for almost

I have benn on ssd for almost 10 years now,I am 64.My wife who I am seperated from is 57 and collecting ssi.if we decided ti live together again will it effect either one of our checks?

thanks,Dewey

Sun, 09/24/2017 - 10:43 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Dewey Wakefield (not verified)

Hi Dewey,

Hi Dewey,

Your SSDI won't be affected. However, if you and your wife re-marry, her SSI could be affected. The SSA would take into consideration your income, which could reduce your wife's SSI payments.

Mon, 09/25/2017 - 15:30 Permalink
Sandra (not verified)

I am on SSI disability if I

I am on SSI disability if I get married and my husband to be makes less than 50,000 a year well my disability check go down

Sun, 09/24/2017 - 21:07 Permalink
Johnson Gurganus (not verified)

If I were to get married

If I were to get married would it affect my income ??

Mon, 09/25/2017 - 18:03 Permalink
Becky (not verified)

I am 63; I have been

I am 63; I have been receiving SSDI on my own work record since about 1994. My significant other is 59. He began receiving SSDI on his own work record 8/2015. We always thought if we married both of our SSDI payments would be reduced. From what it says above perhaps those amounts would not be reduced. We don't party or fritter money but still have a hard time making ends meet some months. If we marry will our benefits be reduced now or in the future? Thank-you!

Mon, 09/25/2017 - 20:07 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Becky (not verified)

Hi Becky,

Hi Becky,
If you're receiving benefits based on iwork record, your benefits would not change as they are not based on your income.

Tue, 09/26/2017 - 16:54 Permalink
M (not verified)

How does one know or find out

How does one know or find out if one is receiving SSDI under his/her work record or their parent?

Tue, 09/26/2017 - 16:14 Permalink
Tammy petrin (not verified)

Iam 55 my soon to be husband

Iam 55 my soon to be husband is 74. I get SSI. He gets detriment . Can I draw off of him after marriage? Is there a time period I got to wait. Can't offord to lose my being its if I can't get hid

Wed, 09/27/2017 - 18:23 Permalink
Ray (not verified)

If my spouse owes money to

If my spouse owes money to ssi and I receive my Ssdi can they penalize me

Wed, 09/27/2017 - 19:00 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Ray (not verified)

Hi Ray,

Hi Ray,

It shouldn't because your SSDI is based on your own record. However, just to be safe I would reach out and speak with a SSA representative just to be sure. Better safe than sorry!

Thu, 09/28/2017 - 09:19 Permalink
Ricky (not verified)

Hi! I'm drawing ssdi off

Hi! I'm drawing ssdi off my work record. Since then I hav gotten married, what has now been 14 months. My wife has a child that is 6 years of age, who is now my stepson. My question is; can I claim him on my ssdi?

Wed, 09/27/2017 - 23:09 Permalink
Yolanda (not verified)

My kids father died 3 years

My kids father died 3 years ago and both of my kids receives SSI benefits from him. My husband and I been married for almost 2years. My husband just recently apply for disability will it affect my kids income? And can I still receive income from my husband disability. My 18 year old receive her own SSI from her father but I'm still over my son's check.

Mon, 10/02/2017 - 13:59 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Yolanda (not verified)

Hi Yolanda,

Hi Yolanda,

I am sorry to hear that, You might want to contact the SSA regarding your unique matter. 1-800-772-1213.

Mon, 10/02/2017 - 17:00 Permalink
Katie Bolling (not verified)

I receive ssi disability. If

I receive ssi disability. If I get married to a man with a good paying job, will I lose my benefits?

Mon, 10/02/2017 - 21:47 Permalink
Renee (not verified)

When when a man and woman

When when a man and woman both on disability. And if they get married would the amount of their income change?

Wed, 10/04/2017 - 16:18 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Renee (not verified)

Hi Renee,

Hi Renee,

It depends, if one or both are on SSDI then their income won't change, but if one or both are on SSI then it could because the SSA will change their SSI from an individual rate to a couples' rate.

Wed, 10/04/2017 - 17:07 Permalink
Kim (not verified)

My boyfriend is applying for

My boyfriend is applying for disability if we get married can and will this effect his outcome in the desion

Wed, 10/04/2017 - 22:52 Permalink
Kimberly (not verified)

I have not worked in the past

I have not worked in the past 5 years. I can't work now because of my disability that I'm being treated for from a doctor. Will my husband's income determine if I can get SSDI?

Thu, 10/05/2017 - 13:47 Permalink
Julie (not verified)

In reply to by Eric

My husband does was social

My husband does was social security he worked on a job for over 20 years I just won full favable for my ssi will I get my benefits

Thu, 12/06/2018 - 23:05 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Julie (not verified)

Hi Julie,

Hi Julie,

Your benefits will be affected because SSI is based on income. The SSA will deem your husband's income as apart of yours, which could reduce the amount of SSI you get.

Fri, 12/07/2018 - 15:48 Permalink
Michelle (not verified)

So I am in a same-sex

So I am in a same-sex marriage and my wife receives SSI and SSDI my question is would we lose SSI and SSDI if reporting our marriage?

Thu, 10/05/2017 - 15:17 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Michelle (not verified)

Hi Michelle,

Hi Michelle,

Your wife's SSDI would not be affected, however her SSI could be affected because it would go from an individual rate to a couples' rate as they will take in your income as well when calculating her SSI payments.

Fri, 10/06/2017 - 13:30 Permalink
perry (not verified)

I have been on SSDI for

I have been on SSDI for almost 3 years. My wife does not currently work, however she is considering getting a business license for a small eBay business. will this’s have any affect on my benefits?

Thu, 10/05/2017 - 15:48 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by perry (not verified)

Hi Perry,

Hi Perry,

It shouldn't since you are on SSDI, but you should always double check with the SSA just to be sure.

Fri, 10/06/2017 - 13:28 Permalink
Gina (not verified)

My friend is leaving with me

My friend is leaving with me he gets a disability check every month i have asked him are we going to get married, he said no because he dont want it to effect his check. i was wondering will it effect his check if he gets married?

Fri, 10/06/2017 - 10:57 Permalink
dd (not verified)

i get disability if I get

i get disability if I get married will I lose my disability

Fri, 10/06/2017 - 13:49 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by dd (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
I really could not say as it is dependent on many factors. You may want to contact the SSA regarding this.

Mon, 10/09/2017 - 16:59 Permalink
Tamara (not verified)

I was just won my SSDI. I

I was just won my SSDI. I want to marry, but he owes alot of child support for children from different marriage. What can I do to not have the state take my SSDI for his children support, is there a form I can sign?

Sat, 10/07/2017 - 09:36 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Tamara (not verified)

Hi Tamara,

Hi Tamara,
Generally SSDI and SSI benefits are not able to be garnished, but you may want to consult your state's law on child support.

Mon, 10/09/2017 - 17:01 Permalink
Jennifer (not verified)

Hi, as of now i am married

Hi, as of now i am married but seperated and getting a DEVORIC. I would like to remarry but i get ssi benefits of 735 per month and the man i would marry gets a disability check from the army of 1338 and i am pregnant. So I would like to know how my money would be effected

Sun, 10/08/2017 - 20:51 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jennifer (not verified)

Hi Jennifer,

Hi Jennifer,
SSI benefits are based on household income for married couples, you may want to contact your local SSA office for more information about your particular case.

Mon, 10/09/2017 - 17:02 Permalink
Sara (not verified)

My dad is on SSI now. He gets

My dad is on SSI now. He gets very little money. He is married and 62 years old. Would he get more money if he was divorced? His wife works, but not him. Please help

Sun, 10/08/2017 - 23:55 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Sara (not verified)

Hi Sara,

Hi Sara,
He may, however the benefit limit for SSI is $735 for unmarried individuals. If your father is receiving more than that from the SSA, it may not increase his benefit amount.

Mon, 10/09/2017 - 17:03 Permalink

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