Can I Get SSI or SSDI If I’m Married?

How marriage affects your disability benefits—and what to watch out for

Introduction: Will Getting Married Change My Disability Benefits?

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you might be wondering:

💍 “Will I lose my benefits if I get married?”

💰 “Will my spouse’s income count against me?”

⚖️ “Do the rules differ for SSI and SSDI?”

The short answer:

✅ You can receive SSI or SSDI if you’re married, but there are important differences and limits you need to know—especially for SSI.

This post covers:

✅ How marriage affects SSI vs. SSDI

✅ Spousal income and resource rules

✅ Special couple limits in 2025

✅ How Purple helps you stay compliant

1. How Marriage Affects SSDI

SSDI is based on your work history and disability, not your income or resources.

💡 Key Points

• Your spouse’s income or resources do not affect your SSDI eligibility.

• Your benefit amount stays the same after marriage.

• You might even qualify for spousal or auxiliary benefits, depending on your work record and your spouse’s.

📌 SSDI recipients don’t need to worry about losing benefits just because they get married.

2. How Marriage Affects SSI

SSI is a needs-based program, so your spouse’s income and resources do count when determining your eligibility and payment amount.

💡 2025 SSI Resource Limits

• Individual resource limit: $2,000

• Couple resource limit: $3,000

💰 Countable Income

SSA considers your spouse’s income when calculating your SSI payment. This often results in:

• Reduced SSI payment

• Complete loss of eligibility if combined income is too high

📌 2025 SSI Payment Amounts

• Individual maximum: $967/month

• Couple maximum: $1,450/month

3. What If Both You and Your Spouse Receive SSI?

When both spouses receive SSI:

• You are considered a couple.

• You receive the couple rate, which is less than two individual rates combined.

• Your combined resources must stay below $3,000.

4. What If Only One Spouse Gets SSI?

Your spouse’s income and assets can still reduce or eliminate your SSI payment.

SSA applies a formula called “deeming” to count part of your spouse’s income as yours.

5. Reporting Marriage to SSA

📅 You must report a marriage within 10 days of the end of the month in which it happened.

How to report:

• Online through your my Social Security account

• By phone (1-800-772-1213)

• In person at your local SSA office

6. How Purple Helps You Stay Compliant After Marriage

💜 Real-Time Balance Tracking

Avoid going over individual or couple resource limits.

💜 Deposit Tagging

Separate benefits, spousal income, and other funds clearly.

💜 Document Storage

Upload marriage certificates and SSA correspondence.

💜 Companion AI Support

Our Companion AI helps you understand what to report and how marriage could impact your benefits.

FAQs About Marriage and Disability Benefits

⚠️ Will I lose SSDI if I get married?

No—SSDI is not affected by marital status.

⚠️ Will I lose SSI if I get married?

Maybe—your SSI amount may decrease or stop depending on your spouse’s income and resources.

⚠️ Do I have to tell SSA if I get married?

Yes—you must report it promptly to avoid overpayments and penalties.

⚠️ Can Purple accounts handle joint deposits?

Yes—just be sure to track balances to stay under SSA limits.

Conclusion: Marriage Changes the Rules—Know Before You Say “I Do”

✅ SSDI is safe after marriage—no income or resource concerns.

✅ SSI is affected—your spouse’s income and assets count.

✅ Always report marriage to SSA quickly to avoid issues.

✅ Purple helps you track, report, and protect your benefits easily.

💜 Open your Purple account today and stay on top of your finances, no matter your relationship status.