Can Getting Married Affect Your Florida Social Security Disability Benefits?

Planning to get married is one of life’s most exciting milestones. However, for Florida residents receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, it can also raise real financial questions. Will your monthly benefit change? Could you lose coverage altogether?

There are specific situations where marriage matters. Our experienced Jacksonville Social Security disability lawyer explains what Florida disability recipients need to know before saying “I do.”

The Basic Rule Regarding Marriage and Social Security Disability (and Exceptions That Can Catch You Off Guard)

If you receive Social Security disability benefits in Florida based on your own work record, getting married will not change your benefit amount or your eligibility. It gets more complicated when benefits are based on someone else’s work record.

Specific cases where marriage can affect your rights include:

• Disabled Adult Child benefits: If your benefits are based on a parent’s work record, getting married will generally end those benefits.
• Surviving spouse benefits: If you receive benefits based on a deceased spouse’s work record, remarrying before age 50 will end those benefits; remarrying at age 50 or older while disabled generally does not.
• Divorced spouse benefits: If you receive benefits based on an ex-spouse’s work record, remarrying at any age ends your eligibility.

What happens once you are married? You may be eligible for benefits through your new spouse’s work record, provided they are at least 62 years old or are caring for your child under age 16.

What to Do Before and After Getting Married as a Florida SSDI Recipient

Even when marriage does not directly reduce your Florida Social Security disability payment, the SSA requires you to report it within 10 days of the end of the month in which the marriage occurred. Not doing so could result in an overpayment that may take years to repay.

Taking a few practical steps before and after your wedding can protect your benefits and prevent surprises:

• Confirm which type of Social Security disability you currently receive, since the rules differ significantly depending on whether your benefits are based on your own work record or someone else’s.
• Notify your local Social Security office of your marriage promptly to avoid any overpayment issues down the road.
• Ask the SSA whether your new spouse may qualify for auxiliary spousal benefits on your work record, since this is a benefit many couples overlook.
• Get legal help before the wedding if your benefits include Disabled Adult Child payments or surviving spouse benefits, since they carry the highest risk of an unintended loss of coverage.

Planning costs little. Discovering after the fact that your benefits ended the day you married can be devastating.

Contact Our Experienced Florida Social Security Disability Lawyer

If you are planning to marry and want to understand how it may affect your Florida SSDI benefits, contact Farrell Disability Law. Our experienced Florida Social Security disability lawyer provides trusted legal guidance you can count on. Request a consultation today at our Jacksonville or Orlando office.

Sources:

ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02172.html

ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10084.pdf