Hi Larry, I'm a 58 year old male with cerebral palsy. I've never held a job andI'm drawing Social Security on my deceased father's account. I also receive a very minimal amount of S.S.I. as well as being on the Medicaid Waiver Program. I'm going to marry my caregiver of nearly 18 years. She's taken early retirement due to her own health issues. Can you tell me what to expect as far as our finances go?

Hi,

Your Social Security disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits would continue at the same rate as long as your wife is entitled to Social Security benefits. If you married a non-Social Security beneficiary your DAC benefits would be terminated.

The rules for determining SSI (Supplemental Security Income) rates change if the recipient is married. Your wife's income and resources will likely be taken into consideration when determining whether or not you are still eligible for SSI payments, as well as your payment rate (if any). I'm not an expert on the Medicaid program, but it is also an needs based program so your marriage could cause you to lose eligibility. You would still be eligible for Medicare, though, as long as you've been entitled to DAC benefits for at least 24 months and your marriage does not cause your DAC entitlement to terminate.

Also, you could eventually qualify for spousal benefits on your wife's record, but you would have to be at least age 62 and you could only qualify for the higher of your DAC amount or spousal benefit rate.

Best, Jerry