For many people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), getting married can raise many questions about eligibility. So, how does marriage affect your SSI benefits in Tennessee?
Since SSI is a needs-based program, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers both income and financial resources for eligibility and benefit amounts. When you get married, the SSA may look at your spouse’s income and assets as part of the calculation.
Here is a look at how marriage can affect your SSI benefits, so you can avoid surprises and ensure you remain in compliance with program requirements.
What Is SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals who are disabled, blind, or age 65 and older and have limited income and resources.
Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SSI is not based on a person’s work history. With this, eligibility depends on financial need.
Since SSI is a needs-based program, changes in your household income, including marriage, can affect your eligibility and monthly payments.
Does Marriage Affect These Benefits?
When an SSI recipient gets married, the SSA will look at the recipient’s income and resources. Plus, it also considers a portion of the spouse’s income and assets. This is called deeming.
Under those rules, the SSA may treat part of a spouse’s income and resources as if they belong to the SSI recipient. As a result, marriage can reduce monthly benefits. Sometimes, that can even lead to the person being ineligible for SSI.
This will depend on several factors, including:
- Whether the spouse receives SSI
- The spouse’s income
- The couple’s combined resources
- Household size
- Other sources of financial support
Since every situation is different, the effect of a marriage can vary from one couple to another.
What Happens if Both Spouses Receive SSI?
If both individuals receive SSI, marriage does not automatically eliminate benefits. However, the SSA applies a different benefit rate to married couples than to individuals. This means the combined amount a married couple receives may be lower than that of an unmarried couple.
Resource Limits Are Still Important
SSI eligibility is also based on resource limits. These can include:
- Cash
- Money in bank accounts
- Investments
- Certain property interests
If a married couple’s countable resources exceed program limits, SSI benefits may be reduced or terminated.
However, not all assets count toward these limits. Some resources, such as a primary residence and one vehicle, are usually excluded from consideration.
Do You Have to Report a Marriage to Social Security?
Yes. All SSI recipients are required to report major life changes, including marriage. If you fail to report a marriage, that can create problems.
If the SSA determines that benefits were paid incorrectly because a marriage was not reported, the recipient may be required to repay those benefits.
Reporting changes makes sure that benefit calculations are accurate. Plus, this can also reduce the risk of overpayments.
What if You’re Considering Marriage?
If you currently receive SSI and are planning to get married, you need to know how the marriage may affect your financial situation before the wedding takes place.
Many people are concerned about:
- Whether their monthly benefit will decrease
- Whether they will remain eligible for SSI
- How a spouse’s income will be treated
- Whether healthcare benefits could be affected
Reviewing your circumstances ahead of time can provide a clearer picture of what to expect and help you plan accordingly.
Knowing Your Rights and Options
How does marriage affect your SSI benefits in Tennessee? Sometimes, your spouse’s income, household resources, and current status could play a role in whether you will continue to receive benefits.
If you receive SSI and have questions about how marriage could affect your eligibility or monthly payments, working with a skilled SSI benefits lawyer can help avoid unexpected issues.
At Easter & DeVore, Attorneys at Law, we can help you discover how this life change could affect future benefits. Schedule a consultation today.
