Can You Get Married On Disability Benefits?
Many people receiving Social Security Disability benefits wonder how getting married might affect their payments. A common question is: Can you get married on disability? The answer is yes, but the impact marriage will have will depend on the type of disability benefits you receive.
In many cases, marriage does not stop benefits entirely. However, disability benefits and marriage can interact differently depending on whether you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Understanding the differences can help you make informed decisions before tying the knot.
Can You Get Married While Receiving SSDI or SSI?
It is generally possible to get married and continue receiving disability benefits. However, there is a chance that marriage will affect your payments, depending on the program.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has two main programs that provide Social Security Disability benefits to claimants:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSDI provides benefits to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes but can no longer work because of a medical condition. Eligibility is based on a person’s work history and accumulated work credits. SSI, on the other hand, is a needs-based program for people who are disabled, blind, or 65 or older and have limited income and resources.
While both programs use the same definition of disability, they differ in how eligibility and benefit amounts are determined. Because SSI and SSDI have different rules, marriage can affect each program differently.
How Marriage Affects SSDI Benefits
For most people, marriage and SSDI benefits do not conflict. If you receive SSDI based on your own work record, getting married typically does not reduce or stop your monthly payments. However, there are a few situations where marriage could affect benefits tied to another person’s record. These situations include:
- Disabled Adult Child (DAC) Benefits: These benefits may stop if the beneficiary gets married.
- Survivor Benefits: If a person receives disability survivor benefits on a deceased spouse’s record, remarriage can affect eligibility. Disabled surviving spouses can remarry after age 50 without losing benefits, provided they were unable to work at the time of remarriage. Remarriage after age 60 generally does not impact eligibility.
- Household Benefit Adjustments: If two spouses each receive SSDI, the SSA may adjust payments depending on household benefit limits.
Despite these exceptions, most people receiving SSDI can marry without losing their benefits.
How Marriage Affects SSI Benefits
Unlike SSDI, marriage can have a significant impact on monthly SSI benefit payments. This is because SSI is based on financial need and comes with strict income and resource limits.
When two people marry, the Social Security Administration may count part of one spouse’s income and resources when looking at SSI eligibility for the other spouse. As a result, marriage could:
- Reduce monthly SSI payments
- Change the benefit amount based on household income
- In some cases, make someone ineligible for SSI benefits entirely
For example, if your spouse is not eligible for SSI and earns a moderate income, part of that income may be considered yours. This can eliminate SSI payments you receive, since the SSA presumes spouses provide financial support for each other.
Can Marriage Affect Medicaid Received Through SSI?
Many individuals receiving SSI also qualify for Medicaid, which helps cover healthcare costs. Marriage may affect Medicaid payments if it affects your SSI eligibility. However, Medicaid rules vary by state and program type.
Because healthcare coverage is often tied to disability benefits, it is important to review how marriage could affect these programs before making any decisions.
Things To Consider Before Getting Married While On Disability
Before getting married, people receiving disability benefits should consider several factors. Important things to review include:
- How household income may affect SSI after marriage
- Whether benefits are based on your own work record or another person’s record
- How health coverage through Medicaid may change
- Whether your spouse also receives disability benefits
- How combined resources may affect benefit limits
Understanding these details can help prevent unexpected changes in benefits after marriage.
Speak With a Lawyer About Marriage and Social Security Disability
Questions about Social Security Disability and marriage can be complicated. The rules vary depending on the type of benefit you receive, your income, and your household situation. An experienced disability attorney can help explain how marriage might affect your benefits and help you understand your options before making major decisions.
Our Tennessee disability lawyers help clients navigate Social Security Disability claims and benefit questions. Whether you’re applying for the first time or filing an appeal, we can help you understand how life changes may affect your payments after claim approval.
Contact Drozdowski & Rabin, PLLC, today for a free consultation. After we help you secure disability benefits, we can discuss your situation so you know how to protect them.
Back to Blog
