Will I Lose my SSI if I get Married
Will I Lose my SSI if I get Married?
As a Social Security lawyer, I often get asked by clients whether getting married will affect their
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This is an important question because SSI provides critical financial assistance to individuals with disabilities and losing those benefits could be devastating.
How Can Marriage Impact SSI Benefits
SSI is a needs-based program that provides cash assistance to people with limited income and resources who are aged, blind, or disabled. To qualify for SSI disability benefits, you must meet certain financial and medical criteria set by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
When you get married, the SSA will consider your spouse's income and resources when determining your eligibility for SSI. Specifically, if your spouse's income and resources exceed the limits set by the SSA, your SSI benefits may be reduced or eliminated.
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In 2023, the maximum federal benefit rate for SSI is $914 per month for individuals and $1,371 per month for couples. If you are currently receiving SSI as an individual and you get married to someone who has income and resources that exceed the limits, the SSA will consider your spouse's income and resources in determining your eligibility for SSI.
It's important to note that not all income and resources are counted by the SSA. For example, if your spouse has income from a disability benefit, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), that income will not be counted against your SSI benefits.
What can you do to Protect Your SSI Benefits if you are Getting Married?
- Talk to a Social Security lawyer: A Social Security lawyer can help you understand how your marriage will impact your SSI benefits and can help you develop a strategy to protect your benefits.
- Plan ahead: If you are considering getting married, it's important to plan ahead and understand the impact that marriage may have on your SSI benefits. This will give you time to make any necessary adjustments to your financial situation before getting married.
Getting married can impact your SSI benefits, but there are steps you can take to protect your benefits. If you have any questions about how marriage may impact your SSI benefits, don't hesitate to reach out to me for guidance.
ABOUT KELLY
Attorney Kelly McKenna-Cournoyer is a 1992 graduate of Boston College Law School. She has dedicated her legal career to representing her clients and helping them to obtain disability benefits before the Social Security Administration. With more than 30 years experience, Attorney Kelly McKenna-Cournoyer has represented more than 15,000 individuals at their hearings before Administrative Law Judges in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. During her legal career, Kelly has provided extensive training and mentoring to other attorneys in the Rhode Island area. She is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
15,000+
Represented Clients
U.S
Serves Clients anywhere in the United States.
30+
Years of Experience