What Happens To Social Security Disability Benefits After Divorce?   This question was recently asked: "What Happens To Social Security Disability Benefits After Divorce?" Social Security Disability benefits for a disabled individual will not change if they divorce their spouse. Social Security Disability benefits are based upon an individual's work activity prior to becoming disabled and have nothing to do with their spouse. However, dependent eligibility will change for spouses who are receiving mother or father in-care benefits on the disabled person's record if they divorce. Once the 'relationship' is severed, so are the monetary benefits. A disability claimant's natural children would continue to receive dependent benefits if their parents divorce; however any step children being paid based solely upon the disability beneficiary's marriage to their parent will also lose their monetary benefits when their parent divorces the Social Security Disability beneficiary. If an individual is receiving SSI, a divorce could change their disability benefits because they may be able to receive their full SSI benefit if it had been reduced because of their spouse's income or benefits. However, it may not bring more money into the household overall because the SSI recipient is losing someone who was sharing household expenses. Often, a spouse's income or benefits cause an SSI beneficiary's benefit to be reduced from the full amount. For example, if two SSI beneficiaries marry, they both cannot receive a full SSI benefit because there is a lower SSI couples benefit limit. Additionally, SSI beneficiaries who have spouses that work may find themselves with a reduced disability monthly benefit because of their spouse's earnings. In fact, there are times when a spouse's income may make a SSI recipient ineligible for monetary disability benefits. Actually, divorce really has very little negative effect on the benefits that Social Security or SSI disability beneficiaries receive. It only affects dependents in Social Security Disability cases and it actually might increase the amount an individual receives in Supplemental Security Income disability. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Disability Decisions at the Initial Claim and First Appeal Levels How are disability claim decisions made? How do you find out if a disability claim has been approved or denied? Who Makes The Social Security Disability Decision? Who will decide my Social Security Disability claim? Social Security Disability, SSI Decisions approval rate Tips for Social Security Disability Psychological and mental testing How Long does a Social Security Disability Determination take After Seeing the Psychologist? Social Security Disability Mental Psychological Exam and Questions that get Asked Does social security deny strong disability claims? Social Security Disability is different from VA disability Why are you denied the first time you are denied for disability? What Happens To Social Security Disability Benefits After Divorce? Can I do What I want with my Social Security Back Pay? How much information should you put on a disability application? What disability claimants get angry about - Part I Social Security and not getting the medical records Social Security Disability will sometimes order X-rays but never an MRI These pages provide answers to basic questions about pursuing disability benefits Who is eligible for SSI disability? How to get disability in Florida