Marital Status and Benefit Considerations

A change in marital status can interrupt your ability to receive certain benefits if you are currently receiving them under “spouse” status. If you are getting Veterans Spousal Benefits and you are getting a divorce, you may no longer be eligible for those benefits.

If you are marrying for the first time, a change in marital status can impact your household income level. This change could affect the amount of public benefits you can get. The rules about marital status and benefits can be confusing. You should call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771 to find out how your benefits can be impacted by your new marital status. Planning ahead will ensure that you receive the right amount of benefits.

Important Note: If you received a “Notice of Overpayment”, or if you are being denied benefits, you need to call an attorney for help. If you are a Maine resident who is 60 or older, call the Legal Services for the Elderly Helpline at 1-800-750-5353 to talk to an attorney for free.

Resources

Area Agency on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help you with any questions you may have about your benefits, and can help you with any paperwork that you need to complete. Call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-353-3771.

The United States Social Security Administration
For information on how your Social Security benefits can be impacted by your marital status, visit the Social Security Administration’s website on the topic. Choose your topic and visit the website by clicking on the applicable link, below:

Effects of marriage on Social Security Retirement Benefits [1]

Benefit Amount for your Spouse [2]

Medicare Eligibility when receiving Spouse’s Benefits [3]

Social Security Retirement Planner: If you are divorced [4]

Understanding Supplemental Security Income [5]

To find Social Security offices in Maine [6]

The United States Veteran’s Administration
For information on how your marital status can impact your VA benefits,visit the VA’s website by clicking here. [7]

Links
[1] http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/176/~/effects-of-marriage-on-social-security-retirement-benefits
[2] http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/175/related/1
[3] http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/359/related/1
[4] http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/divspouse.htm
[5] http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-understanding-ssi.htm
[6] http://www.ssa.gov/boston/ME.htm
[7] http://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/benefits-summary/SummaryofVADependentsandSurvivorsBenefits.pdf