Will I Lose My Disability Benefits if I Get Married?

Submitted by Shane on

Most would agree that the Social Security Administration is not against marriage. In its own interests, it really has no reason to have one bias or the other. However, disgruntled Social Security Disability beneficiaries are finding it hard not to make this conclusion, based on their personal experience.

A man from Fort Meyers, for instance, submitted an opinion letter to his local paper expressing such a frustration. After becoming quadriplegic and struggling to stay employed in spite of it, his SSI benefits were cut nearly in half after he got married, and in half again when his and his wife’s income were deemed ‘too high,’ forcing an unreasonably hard lifestyle on both of them. Stories like this abound.

The SSA’s rules about SSI (and sometimes SSDI) being determined by a total household’s income, and not simply on the income of the disabled person, leads to many claimants feeling that they have to choose between getting married and receiving disability benefits. These rules are not designed to be wedding crashers, but rather to keep people from receiving unwarranted amounts of hard-earned taxpayers’ dollars because of lifestyle changes that take them out of critical need.

Many argue that the limits that are set on personal household income in order to receive benefits, and the fact that they are cut automatically when a beneficiary is married or obtains other household income fail to account for individual cases.

In defense of the SSA, it would be nearly impossible to make exceptions and decisions based on each individual situation of every beneficiary, and even it if were possible, rulings would still have to have some standard or criteria against which to judge the fairness of those decisions, so as not to be accused of favoritism or bias.

On the other hand, there is certainly room for consideration of reforms and appeal processes, as the SSA’s disability application process is definitely not perfect and will need to be adjusted as the cultural standards and costs of living change, along with updating the average indexed monthly earnings.

If you are considering getting married, it is important to consider how it might affect your SSDI or SSI disability benefits so that you are aware of any potential changes to the income upon which you rely. Be sure to contact the Social Security Administration, and if it turns out that marriage will significantly affect your benefits you will want to know any and all options that are available to you prior to making any changes.

Blog comments

Joanne Swanson (not verified)

Married for 28 years both of

Married for 28 years both of us are disabled and receiving SSI. We have been told that one of us must live at a different address to prevent losing one of the benefits. Is this correct.

Sat, 04/16/2016 - 09:45 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Joanne Swanson (not verified)

Hi Joanne,

Hi Joanne,
That may be true, but you could also be accused of committing disability fraud. Two people on SSI benefits cannot earn more than $1,100 per month total. So if your combined monthly benefits are less than that, you will not lose any of your benefits at all.

Wed, 04/20/2016 - 12:35 Permalink
Gloria (not verified)

In reply to by Joanne Swanson (not verified)

Is this true if u get married

Is this true if u get married if both of you received SSI will it affect both income?

Sun, 02/19/2017 - 15:32 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Gloria (not verified)

HI Gloria,

HI Gloria,
Marriage may affect your benefits amount if you and your spouse are receiving SSI benefits as benefits for households are calculated at a different rate than benefits for individuals.

Wed, 02/22/2017 - 11:43 Permalink
Peggy (not verified)

I'm planning on getting

I'm planning on getting married...I'm on ssi and also my son..my fiancé receives ssdi and work parttime under 30 hours making $14.60 per hour for 3 hours for 5 days.. rent is 1195 with sec 8...what I would like to know if I loose my benefits...will my 14 yr old loose his..I was told that I can't apply for spousal support.. until my fiancé retire...what other options do I have...

Tue, 03/21/2017 - 11:50 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Peggy (not verified)

Hi Peggy,

Hi Peggy,
Marriage may affect how the SSA calculates your benefits and household income, and your son's benefits would be based on your household's income as well. I really could not say that if you became ineligible that your son would become ineligible, you may want to speak with your local SSA office.

Wed, 03/22/2017 - 10:04 Permalink
Ann Moss (not verified)

My Fiancé is on ssi and I&

My Fiancé is on ssi and I'm not and we want to get married but he is afraid to lose his ssi. So will he lose half of his ssi if him and I get married??

Sun, 07/16/2017 - 08:03 Permalink
Marissa (not verified)

So if I get merried how do I

So if I get merried how do I get off

Sat, 08/05/2017 - 01:22 Permalink
Ruth (not verified)

I am on disability pension if

I am on disability pension if i get married how much will i loose.can anyone tell me please.

Tue, 09/26/2017 - 04:17 Permalink
Juliana (not verified)

Hi there

Hi there
Actually i am suffering from a chronic disease and it is a long term term illness and i get disability benefits from the social security. But i just wanted to know if i get married will i lose the disability benefits?

Tue, 11/14/2017 - 03:55 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Juliana (not verified)

Hi Juliana,

Hi Juliana,

I am so sorry to hear that. If you are on SSDI, your benefits won't be affected but if you are on SSI it could.

Tue, 11/14/2017 - 09:03 Permalink
cindylin (not verified)

so i will be turning 60 in

so i will be turning 60 in 2018 and i am on disability and want to get will i lose my benefits if he is working?

Mon, 12/11/2017 - 01:43 Permalink
Jean Austin (not verified)

If i marriage a man on ssdi i

If i marriage a man on ssdi i am on ssi will i lose my medical

Tue, 12/12/2017 - 15:30 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Jean Austin (not verified)

Hi Jean,

Hi Jean,
You should be fine--your SSI payments may be reduced slightly depending on his SSDI payments but it's unlikely you'll lose your entire payments or your health insurance.

Wed, 12/13/2017 - 08:32 Permalink
Max (not verified)

In reply to by Deanna

So I make 820 a month we are

So I make 820 a month we are getting married she had cancer and she gets the max amount for disability how much would it lower?

Sat, 12/30/2017 - 20:43 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Max (not verified)

Hi Max,

Hi Max,
I could not say, if she is receiving income based benefits her benefits may be reduced one dollar for every two dollars of household income the both of you make.

Wed, 01/03/2018 - 14:02 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Max (not verified)

Hi Max,

Hi Max,
I could not say, if she is receiving income based benefits her benefits may be reduced one dollar for every two dollars of household income the both of you make.

Wed, 01/03/2018 - 14:02 Permalink
karen (not verified)

i am concerned about social

i am concerned about social security,my husband is on ssi,i have applied for ssdi,had my court hearing waiting to see if approved.if i get approved for my ssdi,will my husband loose his ssi

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 15:49 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by karen (not verified)

Hi Karen,

Hi Karen,

It may not be taken away all together, however it will be reduced because the SSA will consider your income as apart of his too.

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 09:52 Permalink
Christina roper (not verified)

Hi my name is Christina roper

Hi my name is Christina roper one question I am received ssi payment every month and my boyfriend is 36 and I am 42 right and we want to get married can I and plus he dont have no income

Sat, 03/17/2018 - 13:26 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Christina roper (not verified)

Hi Christina,

Hi Christina,

If he does not have an income then you should be okay. I would double check with the SSA to be sure though.

Mon, 03/26/2018 - 16:55 Permalink
Mary Nunez (not verified)

I currently have ssdi, if i

I currently have ssdi, if i get married will this affect my benefits?

Mon, 03/26/2018 - 11:57 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Mary Nunez (not verified)

Hi Mary,

Hi Mary,

If you receive benefits under your own earnings, not an ex-spouse or a parent's, then you will be fine.

Mon, 03/26/2018 - 16:36 Permalink
elizabeth petrillo (not verified)

I currently receive mass

I currently receive mass Health benefits. my boyfriend is retired and has his own insurance. Not Mass Health. My question is, if we get married, will I loss my health insurance.

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 17:11 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by elizabeth petrillo (not verified)

Hi Elizabeth,

Hi Elizabeth,

I'm not sure. You'll have to contact MassHealth to find out.

Wed, 04/04/2018 - 16:20 Permalink
joyce (not verified)

if I get married and keep my

if I get married and keep my last name will I still get my disability or dose it matter I live up north and he lives down south

Wed, 08/07/2019 - 16:54 Permalink
mts

In reply to by joyce (not verified)

Hi Joyce,

Hi Joyce,

Disability is based on the work credits that you have earned. Therefore your marriage status should not affect your benefits. If you have any more questions, I would reach out to your local SSA office.

Wed, 08/07/2019 - 17:00 Permalink
joyce (not verified)

if I get married and keep my

if I get married and keep my last name will I still get my disability or dose it matter I live up north and he lives down south

Wed, 08/07/2019 - 16:54 Permalink

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