Q & A
Does my Spouse’s Income Affect My Eligibility for Social Security?
Supplemental Security Income provides money to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter for aged or disabled people. If you have a spouse, their income may affect the amount of benefits you receive. “Deemed- Income” is the income of your spouse, parents, or sponsor with which you share a home, and it is included when computing how much money you will receive from your SSI benefits. This along with your other sources of income is included in your “countable income.” If your countable income is over a certain limit then you will be ineligible to receive SSI benefits. These deemed benefits may apply if you live with a spouse who is not eligible to receive SSI benefits. A portion of your spouse’s income can be used as countable income. However, this deemed income does not apply if you no longer live with your spouse.
In contrast with Supplemental Security Income, deemed income does not apply when considering eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance. Eligibility for SSDI is based on taxes you paid while previously working, thus a spouse’s income will have no bearing on whether or not you will qualify for SSDI benefits. As a Social Security Attorney in Tallahassee, Matt Liebenhaut can help you determine whether your spouse’s income will affect your application for SSI or SSDI benefits.
If you believe you qualify for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income based on a disability and your claim has been denied, or you simply need assistance with your application, please contact Tallahassee Disability Attorney Matt Liebenhaut. Our office serves Tallahassee and the surrounding areas of North Florida and South Georgia.
Source: http://www.liebenhautlaw.com, October 21, 2013
This posting is presented for informational purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. Any opinions or interpretations presented are either those of the original author or, in the case of articles authored by the AMAC Foundation, are the opinions of AMAC Foundation staff, originally trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA) and certified via the AMAC Foundation. Any links included in the article are valid on the posted date; socialsecurityreport.org cannot guarantee the duration of the links’ validity. NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (https://amacfoundation.org/services/) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org. Because we are a non-profit organization, there is no charge for these services.