Q: How will marriage affect our SSI and SSID benefits?

A: If you receive SSI benefits, any and all household income will be considered. Any change in your living situation such as getting married or living together may reduce your SSI benefits since the SSA will review and consider all household income including your spouse’s benefits and/or income. Though we do not handle these types of cases, you should notify SSA as soon as possible to avoid any overpayment situations. We wish you the best of luck.

A: Marriage will impact your benefits differently since you receive SSI while your fiancé receives SSDI. For SSI (Supplemental Security Income), marriage typically results in a benefit reduction because the program considers your spouse's income and resources when calculating your eligibility and payment amount. Your combined household income after marriage will likely reduce your SSI payment from the current $967.

For your fiancé's SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits, the situation is different. SSDI payments are based on the recipient's work history and disability status, not household income or resources. Your fiancé's SSDI benefit of $1,130 should generally remain unchanged after marriage.

However, you should know that living arrangements also affect SSI benefits, so moving in together even before marriage could impact your payment. I recommend contacting your local Social Security office before making any changes to get a precise calculation of how your specific situation will be affected and to explore any potential work incentives or exclusions that might help preserve more of your benefits.