Disability Benefits and Marriage

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1. Will I Lose My Disability Benefits If I Get Married ?

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

July 07, 2022

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Will I Lose My Disability Benefits If I Get Married ?

Marriage can change a lot of things when it comes to an individual’s personal finances, and disability benefits can be one of them.

Many recipients of disability benefits worry about what will happen to their benefits if their marital status changes.

In this blog we will explain how a marriage can affect certain recipients of disability benefits.

The Social Security Administration offers two primary types of disability benefits to individuals.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a low-income program that provides monthly benefits to disabled individuals who meet certain low-income requirements. 

The Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSD or SSDI) is a monthly benefit program for disabled individuals who have worked and paid into the program.

If you are receiving SSD benefits and get married, your benefits will not be affected. This is because this program does not have income requirements, it is based off your work history and work credits.

However, recipients of certain disability benefit programs will be affected if they get married.

• SSI Recipients: Your spouse’s income and resources can change your SSI benefits amount.
• Widow’s Benefits: You will lose benefits if you remarry before age 60. If you are disabled and remarry before age 50, you will also lose benefits.
• Divorced Spouse Benefits: Typically, benefits will end if you remarry.
• Children’s Benefits: Generally, benefits will end if you get married.  There are very narrow exceptions to the rule.

If you are unsure of which program you receive benefits from, you can contact the SSA or log on to your my social security account. 

If you have been contemplating applying for these benefits the time to apply is now.

Getting Help Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits

Applying for disability benefits does not have to be difficult. Contacting an experienced Social Security Disability attorney can help you navigate through this complex process.

The process for receiving these monthly payments and benefits can take a long time, so do not wait to apply.

If you believe you cannot work anymore due to your disabilities, contact the experienced Social Security Disability attorneys at Berger and Green. We will provide you with a free consultation to discuss your claim for benefits.