Did you know that outdated Social Security Administration policies create a disability marriage penalty?
Under current law, individuals with SMA and other disabilities who qualify for Social Security benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or as a Disabled Adult Child (based on a parent's Social Security eligibility) risk losing or having their benefits reduced if they get married.
Because Medicaid or Medicare is often tied to SSI and DAC eligibility, marraige can also put healthcare coverage and access to essential in-home and community-based supports at risk.
Several bills have been introduced in Congress to address these discriminatory policies:
- The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 2540; S. 1234) would address the SSI asset limit marriage penalty by doubling the married couple's SSI asset limit compared to the individual limit. Currently, the SSI asset limit for couples is only $3,000, just 50% higher than the $2,000 individual limit.
- The Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act (H.R. 1389) would end the marriage penalty for DAC beneficiaries who currently risk losing their benefits if they marry someone who does not receive DAC or other Social Security benefits.
- The Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act (H.R. 1757/ S. 73) would address the spousal deeming penalty, which unfairly counts the income and resources of a non-SSI beneficiary spouse when determining eligibility for SSI.
Tell Congress: It's time to eliminate these discriminatory policies and protect the rights of people with disabilities to marry without penalty.
ACT NOW!
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