Niagara Falls

Hi Ben

I am working with a couple who are planning to get married in August. They are both working and are both in 1619(b) status. He also receives an SSDI payment on his own record of $618.00. She is earning around $1450 per month and he is earning around $450 per month.

They want to know what affect marriage will have on their benefits.

I am thinking that they would both be able to stay in 1619(b) status so that wouldn’t change. Is that right? If he stopped working though he would lose 1619(b) but she would still keep it since she is working right? If she stopped working, they would both be eligible for a small SSI payment and Medicaid.

They would have the $3,000 asset limit as opposed to the $2,000. Am I on the right track? Am I missing any important things?

Thanks for your assistance!
Amber

Hi Amber,

This is a timely question as I am visiting one of the most popular wedding and honeymoon destinations. You are on the right track. Both members of an SSI couple are eligible for Medicaid under 1619(b) if they are both working and their total combined income causes ineligibility for payment (POMS SI 02302.010C.2) Of course, both still need to meet the other requirements for 1619(b): being disabled and meeting all the other SSI eligibility factors, needing Medicaid to work, and having gross earned income below the yearly threshold amount.

If he stopped working and she kept working at the same level, she would be eligible for 1619(b) but he would not; a non-working spouse loses Medicaid when the earned income of his or her SSI spouse causes ineligibility for payment. If she stopped working and he continued at his current level, they both would be eligible for a federal payment, the state supplement, and Medicaid.

You should remind them that as an eligible couple their Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) will be $1,011 per month rather than the FBR of $674 for each as individuals; and that for a couple the $20 general and $65 earned income exclusions are applied only once to their combined income.

As you stated, their resource limit will be the couple’s $3000. Note that at marriage their resources will be combined, and that the resource exclusions (one home, one auto, etc.) apply to their combined resources.

Another possibility is that if his SSDI payment is a Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB), she could be potentially entitled to wife’s benefits at age 62 or with a child of her husband’s in her care.

I hope this answers their questions, and congratulate them for me on their betrothal.

Ben