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

Jason (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

I draw ssi and ssdi i get

I draw ssi and ssdi i get both. Just split my check in two i get 400 on my card and 320 in the mail buy a paper check but my wife gets both checks too if we married. Would it effect. Eather of owr checks

Sun, 11/03/2019 - 12:59 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Jason (not verified)

Hi Jason,

Hi Jason,

Your SSDI will be fine. Your SSI (and her's is she is receiving SSI) may be reduced or stopped. SSI is based on household income so both your benefit's will fall under the "household income" umbrella.

Mon, 11/04/2019 - 15:56 Permalink
mts

In reply to by mark coats (not verified)

Hi,

Hi,

Your SSDI benefits should not be affected by your marriage status, however it is possible that if your future wife is contributing any income your SSI benefits will be affected. There is a household income cap to remain eligible for SSI.

Thu, 11/07/2019 - 16:16 Permalink
Mary (not verified)

In reply to by Kristy moffit (not verified)

So if I get marry but already

So if I get marry but already recieve ssdi off of my earning do I have to report it

Fri, 10/28/2016 - 16:34 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Mary (not verified)

Hi Mary,

Hi Mary,
If you're on SSDI and you get married, your benefits will not be affected. You do need to report that you got married, however.

Mon, 10/31/2016 - 16:37 Permalink
Kenya (not verified)

In reply to by Kristy moffit (not verified)

I have a friend who is a

I have a friend who is a disabled adult and moved to New Orleans LA from Austin will that mess up her check

Thu, 07/13/2017 - 08:22 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Kenya (not verified)

Hi There,

Hi There,

Nope it won't affect her check since Social Security is a federal program not a state program. However, she should notify the SSA and let them know that she is changing addresses.

-Eric

Thu, 07/13/2017 - 09:31 Permalink
Joanie claypool (not verified)

In reply to by Kristy moffit (not verified)

My boyfriend drawns

My boyfriend drawns disability socuritysecurity and I drawn ssi will I lose my SSSI check each month I wanted to get married. Will lose my check my boyfriend drawns 1,70.00 pleaded txt me back k lz

Mon, 09/25/2017 - 01:28 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Joanie claypool (not verified)

Hi Joanie,

Hi Joanie,

You might not lose it all together if you get married, but the SSA will take into factor your spouse's income which could reduce your SSI payments.

Mon, 09/25/2017 - 15:25 Permalink
Sammie lang (not verified)

In reply to by Kristy moffit (not verified)

If i wanna get married an my

If i wanna get married an my girlfriend an i receiving ssi would it have a effect on our disability check???

Thu, 01/31/2019 - 23:17 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Sammie lang (not verified)

Hi Sammie,

Hi Sammie,

Depending on your girlfriend's income, you SSI may be reduced or stopped if you get married.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 11:47 Permalink
Quentin Hicks (not verified)

In reply to by Kristy moffit (not verified)

What if the one i marry works

What if the one i marry works part time she only gets 26 hour's every two week's will that do anything with my disability benefits

Fri, 02/22/2019 - 12:26 Permalink
rsg

In reply to by Quentin Hicks (not verified)

Hi Quentin,

Hi Quentin,

It depends on if you are receiving SSI or SSDI. If you receiving SSDI then you will be fine. If you are receiving SSI then it may be fine or you benefit may be reduced or stopped depending on how much she is makings for monthly income.

Fri, 02/22/2019 - 12:33 Permalink
Mickie (not verified)

Can I get married and how

Can I get married and how will impact my disability checks I get disability and ssdi. Cause I worked but Iam on disability so how my boyfriend job impact my checks

Wed, 10/28/2015 - 21:32 Permalink
Rick (not verified)

In reply to by Mickie (not verified)

Hello. I'm currently 18

Hello. I'm currently 18 years old and have been on SSI since 2013 due to the fact that throughout my life, I've had multiple excruciating and chronic health problems, to date. I have also had multiple surgeries, hernias, etc. Both my girlfriend of 5 years, and I will be attending college this year in August. She lives about an hour away from me, and from the school we will be attending, since it's near my parents house. I plan to ask her to marry me soon, and we will be living in my parents house because my mom is the one who takes me to doctors appointments, and does everything in regards to me currently. Would I still get the social security benifit a if my girlfriend and I get married?

Wed, 06/08/2016 - 12:26 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Rick (not verified)

Hi Rick,

Hi Rick,
You may be able to based on your income and resources, however once you get married your income and resources are calculated combined with your spouse's.

Tue, 06/14/2016 - 12:04 Permalink
Renee (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

My mom disowned me because I

My mom disowned me because I tried to defend myself against her verbal abuse. Can she remove me as a disabled adult child under her ssdi?

Thu, 02/08/2018 - 09:23 Permalink
christopher (not verified)

My fiance and I would like to

My fiance and I would like to get married. She was drawing disability for 8 months this year, if her and I get married will I have to play taxes on that 8mos

Thu, 10/29/2015 - 21:21 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by christopher (not verified)

Hi Christopher,

Hi Christopher,
No, you will not need to pay taxes on disability benefits unless she gets more than $30,000 per year in benefits.

Fri, 10/30/2015 - 09:26 Permalink
Linda (not verified)

In reply to by Deanna

I was wandering if in on

I was wandering if in on SsdiI and fiance is working what would we have to pay in taxes

Thu, 05/26/2016 - 13:26 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Linda (not verified)

Hi Linda,

Hi Linda,
If you file individually, you may not have enough income under SSDI to owe taxes.

Thu, 05/26/2016 - 14:13 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Linda (not verified)

Hi Linda,

Hi Linda,
If you file individually, you may not have enough income under SSDI to owe taxes.

Thu, 05/26/2016 - 14:13 Permalink
Sarah W. (not verified)

I have ssdi and ssi, both

I have ssdi and ssi, both from my own work record. Will marriage affect my ssi backpay?

Fri, 10/30/2015 - 08:54 Permalink
Todd (not verified)

Hi, my long time partner and

Hi, my long time partner and I just got married. We are both on SSDI. Will we both be able to still receive our incomes and Medicare insurance? What about food stamps? We are from Michigan and have been living together for awhile but do not buy the same food as I am a vegetarian. Thanks for your help.

Fri, 10/30/2015 - 17:19 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Todd (not verified)

Hi Todd,

Hi Todd,
I am not sure about food stamps, because those are run by the state. But you will both be able to keep your SSDI benefits.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 09:21 Permalink
Lisa (not verified)

In reply to by Deanna

This is at least the second

This is at least the second reply from you that you didn't even answer. Where's the answer about Medicare?

Sat, 01/27/2018 - 00:59 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Lisa (not verified)

Hi Lisa,

Hi Lisa,
They may still be able to retain Medicare if they are still eligible for SSDI.

Mon, 01/29/2018 - 16:58 Permalink
Steve (not verified)

I am on my own SSDI. I am 65.

I am on my own SSDI. I am 65. If I marry a person receiving regular SS retirement
Will her regular SS retirement be affected by my SSDI income ? She is 63yrs.

Mon, 11/02/2015 - 14:19 Permalink
kayls (not verified)

In reply to by Steve (not verified)

I just need and answer I have

I just need and answer I have a 1 year old how can I get a replacement card for her

Sat, 01/02/2016 - 17:31 Permalink
Dan (not verified)

I am 65 and planning on

I am 65 and planning on marrying my GF she is 53 and on FMLA but still working,
How will this effect us in tax does her income go on mine when filing and will I have to pay tax on my SS I was on SSDI and went on SS when I reached 64 I do believe
Or do we have to file jointly or separately she also has a teenage daughter 16 that is her dependent

Hope this explains it

Dan

Tue, 11/03/2015 - 14:30 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Dan (not verified)

Hi Dan,

Hi Dan,
SS benefits do not need to be taxed unless you are earning more than $24,000 per year as an individual or $30ish thousand as a couple (only SS earnings). So I do not believe that your income would be taxed. If you're married, you will need to file jointly regardless.

Wed, 11/04/2015 - 09:54 Permalink
susan (not verified)

In reply to by Dan (not verified)

I ,m 58 and I get ssi. If I

I ,m 58 and I get ssi. If I married a man 72 that gets ss will that affect my ssi

Sat, 10/15/2016 - 21:04 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by susan (not verified)

Hi Susan,

Hi Susan,
That may affect your benefits because SSI is calculated based on household income for married people, and they would use your combined income to calculate your benefits.

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 13:45 Permalink
EDWINA (not verified)

My fiancee is disabled and so

My fiancee is disabled and so am I. We both receive Sicial Security Disability. If we get married, will it affect our benefits?

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 12:59 Permalink
Debbie Dahl Sompson (not verified)

In reply to by EDWINA (not verified)

We both have permanent

We both have permanent disability, How will this affect us if we got msrried

Wed, 03/23/2016 - 23:17 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Debbie Dahl Sompson (not verified)

Hi Debbie,

Hi Debbie,
If both of you are getting SSDI benefits, it will have no effect on your benefits. if one or both of you are receiving SSI benefits, then may experience a change in your benefits.

Fri, 03/25/2016 - 10:17 Permalink
D Jor (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

I just found out that my

I just found out that my fiance and I will not be able to afford to marry because his only income is from ssi while mine is from ssd. This is.a government bent on destroying marriage!

Tue, 04/05/2016 - 19:55 Permalink
Harold (not verified)

In reply to by Debbie Dahl Sompson (not verified)

I just got married I receive

I just got married I receive ssdi and my wife makes about 5k at the most will it stop her or my medical help and financial support she has 3 children from previous partner I was wondering if it hurts us even though we are still struggling any cuts will result in 5 people homeless because we are bearly getting by now please help with what I should do God bless u any info will help

Mon, 05/02/2016 - 15:07 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Harold (not verified)

Hi Harold,

Hi Harold,
If you're getting SSDI, you should be fine, as SSDI is based off your own work record rather than your income and resources, so it's unaffected by marriage.

Mon, 05/02/2016 - 15:30 Permalink
Ty for you help (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

I just did not want to put my

I just did not want to put my love one at Rock of even more poverty they have to eat and have a roof over there heads im just scared my love might hurt the income

Mon, 05/02/2016 - 15:46 Permalink
Jana (not verified)

I have been disable for many

I have been disable for many years now , but I have meet someone I really love and want to marry but don't want him to have to pay everything if they take away my SSI I will only receive 500 a month income with he's retirement benefits it still would only be 2500 and what about all my medical

Sun, 11/08/2015 - 22:24 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Jana (not verified)

Hi Jana,

Hi Jana,
Because he's on retirement benefits, you might not lose your SSI benefits. You should call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your options.

Mon, 11/09/2015 - 10:08 Permalink
Alejandra (not verified)

Hello I'm 20 Year Almost

Hello I'm 20 Year Almost 21 My Question is I recive SSI And I'm getting married my fiancé work as delivery guy if i get married those that affect my SSI?

Mon, 11/09/2015 - 03:41 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Alejandra (not verified)

Hi Alejandra,

Hi Alejandra,
It would. If he's earning more than $1,100 per month, you will no longer be eligible for SSI benefits.

Mon, 11/09/2015 - 10:08 Permalink

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