What Happens If I Get Married While on SSI or SSDI?

How marriage affects your disability benefits—and how to plan ahead

Introduction: Will I Lose My Disability If I Get Married?

Getting married is a huge life event—but if you receive disability benefits like SSI or SSDI, it may also raise a few questions:

💍 Will my benefits change if I get married?

💍 Does my spouse’s income count against me?

💍 Will we both keep our benefits if we’re both on disability?

The short answer:

⚠️ Marriage affects SSI and SSDI very differently.

✔️ SSDI is usually not impacted at all.

⚠️ SSI can be reduced or stopped based on your spouse’s income or resources.

In this post, we’ll break down:

✅ How marriage affects SSI vs. SSDI

✅ What SSA looks at when you report a marriage

✅ What happens if both spouses receive benefits

✅ How to stay eligible and avoid overpayments

✅ How Purple helps you track income, benefits, and stay compliant

1. How Marriage Affects SSI

💡 SSI Is a Needs-Based Program

That means the Social Security Administration (SSA) checks your income and resources each month to decide how much you get.

When you get married, SSA may:

• Count your spouse’s income toward your total

• Combine your resources

• Change your eligibility or payment amount

📉 In 2025, the maximum SSI benefit for couples is $1,450/month, compared to $967/month for individuals. That’s not double—it’s less.

⚠️ Your SSI Could Be Reduced If:

• Your spouse has income from a job, benefits, or other sources

• Your combined bank account balance goes over $3,000 (the couple’s asset limit)

• You live rent-free or get financial help from your spouse

✅ Your SSI Will Likely Stay the Same If:

• Your spouse has little or no income

• You keep your resources under $3,000

• You’re paying your fair share of housing and food

💡 Even if your benefit amount changes, you’re still eligible to receive SSI as a married person—you just need to follow SSA’s rules.

2. How Marriage Affects SSDI

If you’re receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your benefits are based on your own work history—not your income or financial need.

That means:

✔️ Getting married does NOT reduce or eliminate your SSDI.

✔️ Your spouse’s income doesn’t count.

✔️ You don’t have to stay under a resource limit.

⚠️ The Exception: Dependent Spouse Benefits

If you're receiving SSDI through someone else's record (like adult disabled child benefits or spousal benefits), marriage may stop those benefits—unless you’re marrying someone who also receives Social Security benefits.

📌 If you're not sure which kind of SSDI you're on, check your award letter or contact SSA.

3. What If Both Spouses Receive Disability Benefits?

It depends on which benefits you each receive:

Scenario	What Happens
Both on SSDI	✅ No change. You both keep your full benefits.
One on SSDI, one on SSI	⚠️ SSI may be reduced due to combined income. SSDI is unaffected.
Both on SSI	⚠️ SSI switches to the couples’ benefit rate of $1,450/month (2025), split between you.

📌 The amount you receive individually may go down, but your household total may still be similar or higher.

4. What Do You Need to Report to SSA?

If you get married while on disability, SSA requires you to report it within 10 days of the month following the change.

📝 You’ll need to tell SSA:

• Your spouse’s name and SSN

• Date of the marriage

• Whether you live together

• Combined income and bank account balances

💡 Failing to report marriage to SSA can lead to overpayments, penalties, or loss of benefits.

5. How to Protect Your SSI Benefits After Marriage

✅ Keep your combined resources under $3,000 (cash, checking, savings)

✅ Set up separate accounts to track spending and deposits

✅ Consider using an ABLE account to shield savings from the asset limit

✅ Document your share of rent, food, and household costs

✅ Respond quickly to any letters or reviews from SSA

6. How Purple Helps You Navigate Marriage and SSI/SSDI

💜 Track Your Household Income and Deposits – Know when your SSI is at risk

💜 Monitor Resource Limits – Get alerts if you’re close to the $3,000 couple limit

💜 Upload Proof of Rent and Expenses – Stay ready for SSA reviews

💜 Tag Transactions – Clearly show disability-related spending

💜 Access Companion AI – Ask, “Will this marriage affect my SSI?” and get answers instantly

💡 With Purple, you can keep your finances organized—even when life changes.

7. FAQs About Marriage and Disability Benefits

⚠️ Will I lose my benefits if I get married?

• SSDI: No

• SSI: Possibly reduced, but not automatically stopped

⚠️ Can two people on disability get married and still keep their benefits?

Yes—your payment amounts may change, but you can stay eligible.

⚠️ Do I have to report my spouse’s income to SSA?

Yes—SSA uses your combined income to calculate SSI eligibility.

⚠️ Can we have a joint bank account?

Yes—but SSA may count the full balance unless you can prove what portion is yours.

8. Conclusion: Marriage Doesn’t Mean You Lose Your Benefits—But It May Affect Them

✅ SSDI isn’t affected by marriage

✅ SSI is based on need, so your spouse’s income/resources may change your payment

✅ Always report your marriage to SSA

✅ Use tools like Purple to track income, stay under limits, and protect your eligibility

💜 Sign up for Purple to track your benefits and navigate big life changes with confidence.