Are you getting married? Congratulations! Marriage often means a combining of certain assets as well as income. But what if you’re disabled and living on a fixed income when you meet your partner? If you are disabled and receiving monthly disability benefits, you may be wondering how getting married could affect the size of your check from the Social Security Administration. In this blog post, the disability attorney at Watson and Carroll, P.C., L.L.O, explains how getting marriage could affect your disability benefits — and what you need to do if you are disabled and concerned.
Social Security Disability Lawyer in Nebraska and Iowa
Watson & Carroll, P.C., L.L.O.’s Social Security Disability team can help you secure benefits needed to support yourself. Chellsie Weber, our wildly successful and experienced disability attorney, and Abby Reid, our wonderful and thorough disability paralegal, can offer support and advice as it pertains to your disability and the benefits approval process. Remember, you’re more likely to have a successful disability claim with an attorney by your side. Call us today at 402-991-2100. You also can share your story here.
How Does Marriage Affect the Amount of Disability Benefits I Receive?
There are two kinds of disability benefits administered by the SSA. One is Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. Whether or not you qualify to apply for SSDI is based on your work history. The other disability benefit is Supplemental Security Income — SSI for short — your financial situation determines if you qualify to apply for this benefit.
Let’s start with SSI. In order to qualify for SSI, you have to meet certain income criteria. This means once you get married, you will have to report your spouse’s income to the government. Because of this, your spouse’s income, and therefore your combined household income, could reduce your monthly benefit amount. If your partner has a significant income, your SSI benefits could be eliminated altogether.
SSDI, however, is not based on your financial criteria, so getting married does not impact on your monthly benefits. SSDI is based on your work history; what you contributed over the years as well as your previous earnings. Getting married and adding an additional income will not impact your monthly SSDI benefits.
If you are not sure which kind of disability benefits you receive, you should speak with a SSA representative, or check it out here. If you still need help, or want to apply for SSDI benefits because you are disabled due to a medical condition, talk with a disability lawyer. A disability attorney can help you through the application process and be your advocate for securing the benefits you need, whether you are married, getting married, living with a partner, or single.
Getting your disability claim on the right track
If you are interested in applying for disability benefits, or if you receive disability benefits and are getting married and have questions or concerns about whether getting married will affect your monthly benefits, speak with a disability attorney. The experienced disability lawyers with Watson and Carroll, P.C., L.L.O., have helped thousands of disabled workers maneuver the disability claims process and get their claim on the right track.
About Watson & Carroll
Watson & Carroll, P.C., L.L.O., is not a high-volume law firm that only speaks with clients when it is absolutely necessary. For us, it’s personal. Our team works closely with our clients and their loved ones – not only so that we understand their challenges and concerns, but so we can tailor our approach to address those factors, aggressively pursue results, and secure peace of mind. Whether it is a medical malpractice case or advocating for disability benefits, we work to protect our clients and make sure their rights are upheld.
Our firm can help. Call 402-991-2100 or email contact@watsoncarroll.com. You also can fill out our confidential contact form.