Marriage May Affect SSI

• Social Security bases SSI awards on resources of $2,000. That limit increases to $3,000 for a couple. If you choose to marry or have someone live in your household, you must notify Social Security. Likewise, if someone moves out of your household, you must notify Social Security. The Social Security Administration decides the effect of changes in your circumstances on your SSI payments, but uses guidelines to make the decisions.
  
  

Resources

• Social Security will request information from your spouse to determine if he or she can qualify for SSI or if assets of this spouse may affect your SSI benefits. Resources that do not count are home and lot, burial plots, burial and life insurance under $1,500, and wedding and engagement rings. Social Security allows you one vehicle. If your new spouse has resources that push the total for the two of you over $3,000, he may choose to sell some of the assets. You cannot give assets away to qualify for SSI, or you risk suspension of benefits for up to 36 months.
  
  

Income

• If your potential spouse has income, this may affect your SSI benefits. You must report a spouse's income if you are married and living together. SSI recognizes four kinds of income, and any may count for calculation of benefits. Earned income is work; unearned income is interest, Social Security, Veteran's pension, unemployment or similar income that does not require you to work. In-kind income is a barter or exchange, and if you trade services for food or shelter, it counts as income. Deemed income is income from your spouse that Social Security counts, or a parent's income that may count for a child.
  
  

The Effect

• If your new spouse qualifies for SSI, you may qualify for more benefits. The federal benefit for one person in 2011 is $674, but a couple may receive $1,011. If your spouse does not qualify for benefits and has income, this deemed income may affect your benefits. You have until 10 days after the month in which any change takes place to notify the Social Security Administration. Failure to notify the office may result in penalties.