Like many residents of Oklahoma, you and your spouse both work to support the family. While you do not mind going to the jobsite every day, you may eventually be unable to complete job tasks. If your husband or wife is in the same boat, you may wonder if you both can receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
Because SSDI is not a needs-based program, both you and your spouse may be eligible to receive SSDI payments. Still, if you also receive Supplemental Social Security income, there may be a conflict. By understanding eligibility parameters, you can better plan for providing for yourself and your family members.
Qualifying for SSDI benefits
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you do not need to prove a financial need. On the contrary, you must only have accumulated the necessary number of work credits. The same is true for your spouse. Nonetheless, the amount you receive generally depends on how many work credits you have. Therefore, you may receive more or less than your spouse.
Additionally, if you and your partner both want to receive SSDI benefits, you must each independently qualify for them. Specifically, you and your husband or wife must demonstrate the following:
- You have a qualifying disability that prevents you from working.
- Your disability will last at least a year.
If both of the above are not true, you may have some options. For example, you may take advantage of a vocational allowance. Alternatively, you may submit to a capacity assessment that may reveal that you are unable to work.
Understanding SSI limitations
You or your spouse may already receive SSI benefits. If so, you must understand how SSDI payments may limit or eliminate your SSI payments. Because SSI is a needs-based program, your SSDI income may push your household over the income limit. As such, before applying for SSDI benefits, you likely want to carefully weigh the impact they may have on the SSI income you already receive.
If both you and your spouse are unable to work, you may worry about paying monthly expenses. Fortunately, SSDI benefits may allow you to make ends meet. By exploring SSDI, SSI and other options, you can likely make the right decision for your family.