October 21 – SSI and Marital Separation
Question: If a legally married Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiary gets separated, and is not living with their spouse, are they still treated as married for purposes of SSI eligibility and the benefit calculation?
Answer: No. Deeming can only occur if the SSI beneficiary is living with their spouse. Although, if the absence is considered temporary, spouse-to-spouse deeming may still occur. If the situation involves a SSI eligible couple, both members of the couple will be treated as individuals, not an eligible couple, when they are not living together.
Would you like to find out more about WIPA and your benefits? Contact your statewide WIPA Program-Project 20/20 if you have questions like our Daily Tips or want to learn more about working while receiving social security disability benefits. Call our North Augusta office at 803-279-9611 or the Ticket to Work Helpline at 1-866-968-7842. You can also complete a Contact Us or Self-referral Form.