Does Marriage Affect Disability Benefits?
Published on May 22nd, 2023 by Eric Slepian
Navigating the complex world of disability benefits can be overwhelming for anyone. There are a lot of factors to consider, including how your marital status may impact your eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. In this blog post, we’ll answer some common questions about how marriage can affect disability payments.
Does Marriage Affect Social Security Disability Benefits?
The short answer is: it depends. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers several factors when determining your eligibility for disability benefits, including your income, work history, and medical condition. Your marital status can also be a factor, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll lose your benefits if you get married.
In general, if you receive SSDI benefits based on your own work record, your marriage status will not affect your benefits. However, if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, which are based on financial need, getting married can affect your eligibility.
If you get married and your spouse’s income and resources are above the SSI limit, you may lose your SSI benefits. This is because the SSA considers your spouse’s income and resources when determining your eligibility for SSI benefits.
If you receive SSDI benefits based on your spouse’s work record, getting married could affect your benefits as well. You may no longer be eligible for SSDI benefits based on your spouse’s work record if you get married and your spouse’s income and resources exceed certain limits.
Social Security Disability and Marriage
If you are receiving Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI), getting married generally does not affect your eligibility for benefits. This is because SSDI benefits are based on your work history and not on financial need.
It’s important to note that if you are receiving disability benefits, you must report any changes in your marital status to the SSA. Failure to do so could result in a loss of benefits or other penalties.
SSDI and Marriage
As stated above, if you are receiving SSDI benefits, getting married generally does not affect your eligibility for benefits. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
If you are receiving SSDI benefits based on your spouse’s work history, your benefits may be reduced if your spouse’s earned income begins to exceed household income limitations. In addition, if you are receiving SSDI benefits and your spouse begins to receive retirement or disability benefits, your SSDI benefits may be reduced. This is because SSDI benefits are based on your work history, while spousal benefits are based on your spouse’s work history.
In Conclusion
Marriage can have an impact on your eligibility for disability benefits. If you are receiving SSI benefits, getting married could affect your eligibility if your spouse’s income and assets exceed certain limits. If you are receiving SSDI benefits based on your spouse’s work history, getting married could also affect your eligibility.
It’s important to keep the SSA informed of any changes in your marital status to ensure that you are receiving the correct amount of SSDI and/or SSI benefits. If you have questions about how marriage may affect your disability benefits, it’s always a good idea to consult with a disability attorney.
A knowledgeable disability attorney can provide you with personalized guidance and help you navigate the complexities of the Social Security disability system. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to focus on your health and well-being, and to do what’s best for you and your loved ones.
