People with disabilities also have hopes and dreams of getting married just like everyone else. Because we often receive government support and assistance (like Medicaid) to help us contribute to our communities, if we choose marriage we are sometimes penalized by being forced to live on more of a limited income. Sometimes this income can only be $1011 per month. So what do you do if you have to choose between living together without marriage or losing a big part of your income and benefits?

Many people with disabilities receive SSI, or Supplemental Security Income. In most states SSI is linked to Medicaid access and sometimes also to housing benefits, and so it is very important. The monthly amount paid by the U.S. Government is 674 dollars for each person, but married couples only get 1011 dollars. States can pay different amounts of money to add to this amount, but this depends on where you live.

So, if people who get SSI decide to get married, they can lose more than 300 dollars a month for rent, food, and medicine. In order to be eligible for SSI, a single person cannot have more than 2000 dollars in assets—but a married couple cannot have more than 3000 for both people, which is 1000 dollars less.

OKLAHOMA

One of my friends, a member of Oklahoma People First, believes that it is important to make the public aware so they can form their own opinion on these issues. Her opinion is that two individuals who receive SSI and DHS (which is Oklahoma’s service system for people with disabilities) benefits should not be penalized because of their decision to become legally married. When a couple reports their marriage to any legal agency, the cuts begin immediately. Individuals with disabilities simply can’t afford to lose any assistance in today’s economy.

MONTANA

People First of Montana, a statewide organization whose members are self-advocates, is trying to change the Social Security provisions that apply to SSI recipients who want to marry.

People First of Montana is asking representatives in Congress to consider its request and help change the Social Security provisions that make it difficult to enjoy one of the most fundamental rights of our humanity: the sharing of love openly through marriage. 

NEW MEXICO

In 2007, New Mexico passed a resolution asking Congress to remove the marriage penalty. New Mexico’s resolution says that:

“Individuals with disabilities have the same need as people without disabilities to develop and maintain permanent loving relationships; and….

Many individuals with disabilities hold religious and moral beliefs that preclude them from living together as husband and wife without being married…

Now, therefore be it resolved by the senate of the State of New Mexico that the United States Congress be requested to remove the penalty associated with being a married individual with a disability receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits.”

Although this resolution passed in New Mexico’s state senate in 2007, federal laws affecting the marriage penalty have not changed.