A divorce can mean an increase in your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefit payments. SSI benefits are calculated based on a recipient’s need, which means your SSI eligibility and the amount you receive is calculated on the amount of resources at your disposal, including the portion of your spouse’s income that goes into your living expenses.

It should be noted that in case the court awards you alimony, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will include this in your countable unearned income toward the SSI limit and review your benefits to see if they should change your payment amount accordingly.

For those receiving SSDI based on their own work history, payments won’t be affected by a divorce unless a person is ordered to pay alimony or child support. Generally, the effect of a divorce on a person’s Social Security dependents benefits would depend on the type of benefits they are receiving.

There are also particular repercussions should a divorced person receiving Social Security benefits decide to remarry. To start with, if you remarry and your Social Security benefits were based on your former spouse’s work history, your benefits will likely be discontinued. On the other hand, if you remarry and your ex-spouse’s benefits are based on YOUR work record, his or her benefits—along with the benefits of your other eligible dependents—will not change.

To determine how divorce can affect your personal situation, schedule a consultation with a Social Security Disability lawyer. And don’t forget to report your divorce and any subsequent marriage to the Social Security Administration. Failure to do so promptly can result in dire consequences.

Source:

How Will a Divorce Affect My Disability Payments? DisabilitySecrets.com