Social Security Disability Insurance is a payment available to disabled people who have paid Social Security taxes for several years. To qualify for SSDI, you need to fulfill certain requirements. However, even after qualifying for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the change in your marital status can affect it under some conditions.
The SSA (Social Security Administration) decides whether you are eligible for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or not. Let’s dig into the article to discover more about SSDI and the effects of marriage on it.
How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance?
The prominent question in your mind right now could be how to qualify for SSDI in CA or any other part of the United States. Under normal conditions, with the required amount of work credits and meeting the disability definition set by the SSA, you can be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance.
If your marital status changes and you have a strong work history that can earn you work credits, you may get Social Security Disability Insurance. On the other hand, if your spouse is also eligible for SSDI, your total household budget would be observed, and your SSD benefit would be reduced.
Factors Affecting Social Security Disability Insurance
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, the following factors play an important role.
- Your work experience from the past
- Current work status and the type of work
- Age
- Education
- The medical condition under which you have applied for SSDI
- Medical evidence
- Healthy lifestyle
Impact of Marriage on Social Security Disability Insurance
Marriage doesn’t need to always affect your SSDI. But there are some cases when marriage becomes a barrier to your Social Security Insurance (SSI).
Below are some of the impacts of marriage on your SSDI.
- Your Income and Your Spouse’s Income Surpass Your Essential Needs
In this case, the combined benefits of you and your spouse are more than enough to allow both of the benefits. That means you have enough money that comes from your SSDI. It is enough to ensure that your disabilities are looked after while you are not working. If that is the case, the benefit amount can be shrunk.
To get out of such situations, one should always consult with experts. The disability lawyers can help you in such circumstances. Therefore, before applying for SSDI, always consult with your disability lawyer. They will analyze your claim eligibility and help you through the legal processes.
- You Do Not Qualify for the Disability Definition of SSA
It is required to meet the disability definition set by the SSA to qualify for the Social Security Disability Insurance. For instance, a disability definition is a proven medical condition that hinders your work progress. If your disability affects your work progress, it is possible that you qualify for the SSDI.
You must also prove the years you have worked in the past. The number of years of work is calculated in credits. One year of working gives you 4 credits. Depending on your age, you need 40 credits to qualify for an SSDI. Of these credits, 20 should be earned in the recent 10 years to receive a Social Security Disability Benefit.
However, you may be required to have fewer credits if you are less than 31 years of age. That is because you would have worked for fewer years than average.
- You Apply for the Social Security Disability Before the Retirement Age
If you apply for the Social Security Disability Insurance ahead of time, your benefits may get reduced. Therefore, plan ahead of time, and hire qualified SSD lawyers to give you an idea of how to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance.
How Can You Qualify For SSDI After Marriage?
The SSA (Social Security Administration) judges your case on your explanation of your disability. The disability means you cannot work anymore because of a life-threatening condition that might turn fatal.
The approved disabilities range from cancer and Alzheimer’s to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In these cases, your ability to work gets diminished. As evidence of the disability, you need to have the necessary proof of the medical condition and medical reports to support your claim.
Other than that, your case will be ruled on your qualification, age, work experience, and if you can do any other type of work. The Social Security Disability Lawyers help you with that after you contact them and rest your case with them.
The conditions are still the same after marriage. However, by calculating your and your partner’s benefits, your SSDI can be revoked and reduced to a far less rate than you two would have earned separately.
Why is the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Affected by Marriage?
SSDI benefit is allotted based on work history and the current work status. You should have a full-time work history where you paid your security taxes.
In some circumstances, your benefits are affected as you marry someone. Also, two people are in a common household with a fair income. That suffices their disability and household expenses. The SSA decides your benefits not only on your disability and work history but on your spouse’s benefits.
In some cases, the female’s income might have been lesser than the male’s, thus resulting in a low-income benefit for her. In that case, a Social Security Disability Benefit study [Impact of changes in couples’ earnings on married women’s social security benefits], suggests that this allows both the spouses to enjoy each other’s benefits.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, marriage can affect your SSDI benefits in some situations. However, regardless of your circumstances, you should know how marriage may affect your disability benefits.
If you have some doubts, you can call your local SSA office, or it is best to consult with any expert or lawyers for disability claims. They can assist you in calculating the potential loss of benefits and guide you with getting back your lost of unclaimed benefits successfully.
