Getting married is an exciting life event, but if you receive disability benefits, it’s natural to wonder how marriage might affect your financial stability. Many people ask questions like “Will getting married affect my SSDI?” and “If I get married, will I lose my SSI?”
The answer depends on the type of benefits you receive. Understanding disability and marriage rules can help you make informed decisions and avoid unexpected benefit changes. Continue reading to learn more about Social Security Disability (SSD) and how it might be impacted by getting married.
Can You Get Married While on Disability?
Yes, you can legally get married while receiving Social Security Disability benefits. However, marriage can affect your benefits differently depending on whether you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Because SSD and marriage rules vary by program, it’s important to understand how each works.
SSDI and Marriage: Will Getting Married Affect My SSDI?
For most people, getting married does not affect SSDI benefits. SSDI is based on your personal work history and payroll tax contributions, not your household income. That means:
- Your spouse’s income does not count against your SSDI
- Your monthly SSDI benefit typically stays the same after marriage
- There are no SSDI income limits for married couples based on spousal earnings alone
When Marriage Can Affect SSDI
There are a few limited situations where marriage may impact SSDI-related benefits:
- Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits will likely stop if the beneficiary marries. However, this may not be the case in some situations, such as if their spouse is also receiving DAC benefits
- A beneficiary may lose surviving spouse or divorced surviving spouse benefits if they remarry before age 50. Normally, remarrying can disqualify you from receiving survivor benefits from a deceased spouse. However, Social Security makes an exception for disabled people who remarry later in life. If you were disabled and couldn’t work at the time of your remarriage, which occurred after age 50, you may still receive benefits based on your deceased spouse’s (or ex-spouse’s) work record.
- Dependents’ benefits may be adjusted depending on family structure.
- If both you and your spouse get SSDI, the amount you each get might change a bit. For example, if your spouse gets a higher SSDI benefit because they earned more during their working years, your benefit amount could be adjusted. This happens because SSDI has rules about how much a household can receive in total, so they might balance the benefits between you and your spouse.
For most standard SSDI recipients, marriage alone will not cause you to lose SSDI.
SSI and Marriage: If I Get Married, Will I Lose My SSI?
SSI is very different from SSDI. SSI is a needs-based program, which means household income and assets matter significantly. If you’re receiving SSI and get married, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will “deem” part of your spouse’s income and resources to you.
How SSI Is Affected by Marriage
Marriage may cause a reduction in monthly SSI payments or, in some cases, loss of SSI eligibility altogether. This happens because:
- Your spouse’s income is added to yours
- Your combined assets must stay below SSI resource limits
- The SSA assumes spouses financially support one another
This is often referred to as the SSI marriage penalty.
If I Get Married, Will I Lose Medicaid?
In most states, including Missouri, receiving SSI benefits means you automatically qualify for Medicaid. Losing SSI due to marriage may also impact Medicaid coverage. However, it’s important to remember:
- Some states offer Medicaid protection programs for people who lose SSI due to income
- Medicaid rules vary by state
It’s critical to review your situation and state laws before making any changes.
Will I Lose My Social Security If I Get Married?
Getting married does not automatically put an end to your Social Security monthly income. In summary:
- SSDI benefits are typically not lost due to marriage
- Social Security retirement benefits are usually unaffected by marriage
- SSI benefits are likely to be reduced or eliminated after marriage
If you’re concerned about your eligibility for SSD after marriage, it’s important to remember that each situation is unique. Consulting with a disability attorney can help you understand the impact of marriage on your monthly benefits.
Key Things To Do Before or After Getting Married
If you’re receiving disability benefits and planning to marry:
- Report the marriage to the SSA promptly
- Understand how combined income may affect SSI
- Review your healthcare coverage options
- Seek legal advice to avoid overpayments or benefit loss
- Understand how marriage might affect benefits for dependents
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Grundy Disability Group
Understanding how marriage affects disability benefits can be complex. Grundy Disability Group can help navigate these waters. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation and how we can assist you with applying for disability benefits. As a 4th-generation attorney, Matthew Grundy handles everything from initial disability applications to federal court appeals.
