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

steve (not verified)

I recieve ss disabilty and I

I recieve ss disabilty and I remarried in 2000. SS told me my wife cannot draw off of my record. Why is this? We are both 61.

Fri, 12/23/2016 - 00:13 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by steve (not verified)

Hi Steve,

Hi Steve,
Unfortunately your spouse may not be able to do so as 62 is the minimum retirement age.

Tue, 12/27/2016 - 11:27 Permalink
denise (not verified)

I am 50 yrs old on ssi I was

I am 50 yrs old on ssi I was married on sept 30 2016 my husband was on ssdi and was 52 yrs old he died on oct 3rd 2016 in hospice care.. I was told I don't count and his money doesnot come to me from ssdi is that true.. can I fight this. do I have wife rights to fight for his benefits

Sat, 12/24/2016 - 07:23 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I married the person I am the

I married the person I am the payee for...Now we are married but separated...Can I still be his payee ?

Mon, 12/26/2016 - 07:17 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may still be able to be their payee, but it's a good idea to make sure that the person who is the payee is able to use the funds they get for the person who the money is intended for.

Tue, 12/27/2016 - 11:29 Permalink
Jennifer (not verified)

I've been on disability

I've been on disability all my life because of my condition. My boyfriend makes decent amount of money. Will my benefits be terminated if we get married ?

Mon, 12/26/2016 - 21:24 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jennifer (not verified)

Hi Jennifer,

Hi Jennifer,
If you're receiving benefits based on your income, your eligibility may change after marriage as they SSA counts household income for married individuals for SSI benefits.

Tue, 12/27/2016 - 11:30 Permalink
Danielle (not verified)

I'm a 52 year old widow.

I'm a 52 year old widow. I became disabled shortly after his death, and collect off his Social Security, Widows Benefits.

I was proposed to buy a 60 year old gentleman who is also disabled, and collecting on his own Social Security. (his cash benefits are almost double mine)

We are each entitled to both Medicare and Medicaid.

I'm wondering, if I say yes, will it result in the lowering of either one or both of our benefits, and if so, by how much? (if you happen to know that too)

I don't know if it's relevant, but we live in MA.

Thank you for this page, it's so helpful.

Danielle

Tue, 12/27/2016 - 22:33 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Danielle (not verified)

Hi Danielle,

Hi Danielle,
I'm sorry for your loss. If you do remarry, then your benefits may not be affected. However, you may also have the option to use your new spouse's benefits to collect, if it is a larger amount than what you would be entitled to.

Wed, 12/28/2016 - 11:45 Permalink
Rose (not verified)

Hello There!! my boyfriend

Hello There!! my boyfriend and i have been together for 12 years he receiving SSDI on his earnings records, we have 2 kids that are receiving benefits under his case, now the question here is, how getting married affect our their benefits and what would be my rights as his now wife?

Tue, 12/27/2016 - 23:16 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Rose (not verified)

Hi Rose,

Hi Rose,
Your boyfriend's SSDI benefits would not change due to marriage.

Wed, 12/28/2016 - 11:50 Permalink
KatrIna (not verified)

Will my SSDI be effected if

Will my SSDI be effected if use my husbands Health Insurance instead of Medicare ?

Wed, 12/28/2016 - 15:29 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by KatrIna (not verified)

Hi Katrina,

Hi Katrina,
While SSDI makes you eligible for Medicare, you may be able to use your husband's insurance without affecting your benefits.

Thu, 12/29/2016 - 14:36 Permalink
Jenny (not verified)

My fiance has been on SSDI

My fiance has been on SSDI for several years. He's almost to the point of needing 24 hour care. If I stay home with him how do I get financial compensation for no longer working?

Thu, 12/29/2016 - 01:34 Permalink
denice (not verified)

hi im on ssi and my boyfriend

hi im on ssi and my boyfriend is on ssdi if we get married will it effect our benifits

Fri, 12/30/2016 - 13:59 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by denice (not verified)

Hi Denice,

Hi Denice,
Your boyfriend's benefits will not be affected. Because you are both disabled, you should keep your SSI benefits, but your payments might go down.

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 13:23 Permalink
Sue (not verified)

We just recently married and

We just recently married and my husband is receiving SSDI based on his blindness. Our daughter also receives based on his. Am I eligible to receive any since I am now his primary caregiver? I have been told mixed thoughts as well as the waiting period is different with blindness

Fri, 12/30/2016 - 16:17 Permalink
Valerie (not verified)

My boyfrind has disability

My boyfrind has disability benefits, and I work a full time job and not disabled, and if he decides to get married in the future, would he get an increase or a decrease in his disability benefits?

Fri, 12/30/2016 - 20:42 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Valerie (not verified)

Hi Valerie,

Hi Valerie,
Your boyfriend's SSDI benefits would not change due to marriage.

Best Wishes,
Eric

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 16:52 Permalink
Seth (not verified)

I had just graduated high

I had just graduated high school and on my way to college registration when in an automobile accident. At 18 having very few years of work, how will my SSDI be effected when I get married?

Sun, 01/01/2017 - 17:04 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Seth (not verified)

Hi Seth,

Hi Seth,

So sorry to hear about that. Getting married will not effect your SSDI benefit payments.

Best Wishes,
Eric

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 16:35 Permalink
Angela (not verified)

I have a question, can my

I have a question, can my fiance and I get married if we both receive the same amount of money from social security each month... will our money be cut ?

Tue, 01/03/2017 - 06:11 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Angela (not verified)

Hi Angela,

Hi Angela,
If you and your fiancé get married and both get SSI, your benefit amount will change to no more that $1100/month.

If you are on SSDI however, it will not be effected.

Best Wishes,
Eric

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 15:34 Permalink
Alina (not verified)

I receive SSDI. I got married

I receive SSDI. I got married a few months ago. My stepson receive SSI due to his cancer. Will my stepson and husband get part of my SSDI?

Tue, 01/03/2017 - 22:23 Permalink
Thomas (not verified)

Will my fiance lose her and

Will my fiance lose her and her kids Medicaid if we get married, her oldest son is mentally handicapped, will he still get the proper care needed...

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 10:39 Permalink
Tim (not verified)

If I have step children under

If I have step children under age 18 that I raise can they receive money from my disability

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 12:20 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Tim (not verified)

IF I HAVE STEP CHILDREN UNDER

Hi Tim,

Yes, when you qualify for disability benefits your step children may also qualify to receive benefits on your record.

To receive benefits, the child must be unmarried and be:
under age 18; or
18-19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12); or
18 or older and have a disability that started before age 22.

Best Wishes,
Eric

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 15:22 Permalink
mike (not verified)

my fiancé who gets ssi and I

my fiancé who gets ssi and I whom have been together for a few years . I do want to marry her no doubt in my mind on that. I work 40 hours a week if I did so would she lose all or some of her ssi?

Wed, 01/04/2017 - 16:20 Permalink
debbi (not verified)

is there a age that someone

is there a age that someone can re marry and keep there ssi

Thu, 01/05/2017 - 15:27 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by debbi (not verified)

Hi Debbi,

Hi Debbi,
If you're still otherwise eligible, you may remarry at any age and keep your SSI benefits.

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 10:54 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Ii am married and my husband

Ii am married and my husband make too much $ for me to quilify for SSI and I don't have enough work credits for me to earn SSiD because I quit work to stay home and take care of our children. Now that they are old enough for me to go back to work I become very ill for the last 5 years. Medical bills are pilling up! If I got divorced and only requested less than $24,000 in alimony, would I then qualify for SSI?

Fri, 01/06/2017 - 00:51 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
If you meet the income and resource requirements, you may be eligible for SSI benefits.

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 10:56 Permalink
Lisa (not verified)

I get Ssdi and my bf also

I get Ssdi and my bf also gets ssdi and I receive Medicare n Medicaid will I lose medicaid if we marry?

Fri, 01/06/2017 - 20:35 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Lisa (not verified)

Hi Lisa,

Hi Lisa,
If you are still otherwise eligible for Medicaid by your state's standards, then you may not lose your medicaid coverage.

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 10:57 Permalink
Becky (not verified)

I get SSDI. I want to get

I get SSDI. I want to get married. If I do so will I lose the money I receive each month? Also I have medicare will I still receive that? Also I'm sure I will lose my food stams?

Fri, 01/06/2017 - 22:12 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Becky (not verified)

Hi Becky,

Hi Becky,
You may not lose SSDI benefits if you get married. However your food stamp benefits may change depending on your state's regulations on food stamps.

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 10:58 Permalink
Tascha (not verified)

I get ssdi myself ....I was

I get ssdi myself ....I was wondering if I get married would that affect it and can my wife get benefits from my ssdi payments

Sun, 01/08/2017 - 01:09 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Tascha (not verified)

Hi Tascha,

Hi Tascha,
Your wife would may not be able to receive benefits on your work record unless she is over 50 and disabled, or over age 62.

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 10:59 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Tascha (not verified)

Hi Tascha,

Hi Tascha,
Your wife may not be able to receive benefits on your work record unless she is over 50 and disabled, or over age 62.

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 10:59 Permalink
Deb (not verified)

I receive ssdi and if I were

I receive ssdi and if I were to marry someone receiving ssi am I able to receive benefits from that persons benefits?

Sun, 01/08/2017 - 11:43 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Deb (not verified)

Hi Deb,

Hi Deb,
You would not, as SSI benefits do not offer anything to the partners or dependents of SSI recipients.

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 10:29 Permalink
Ivy (not verified)

What if your partner does not

What if your partner does not work at all and hasn't in ten years but is not drawing a check can they still cut your check if he is not working and haven't worked in ten years

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 10:07 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Ivy (not verified)

Hi Ivy,

Hi Ivy,
I'm not sure what benefits you are receiving, but they may only cut your check if your household's income grew and your benefits were based off of your income and work history.

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 10:29 Permalink
Ivy (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

I receive supplemental income

I receive supplemental income. And that's the only income. Will me getting married change my check

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 02:19 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Ivy (not verified)

Hi Ivy,

Hi Ivy,
It may change because the SSA calculates benefits differently for households than it does for single individuals.

Thu, 01/19/2017 - 09:43 Permalink
Gina wallser (not verified)

If I marry I receive ssdi is

If I marry I receive ssdi is my spouse able to receive medicare benefits?

Tue, 01/10/2017 - 15:09 Permalink

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