Like most Americans, people with disabilities fall in love and wish to get married. However, most do not get married because of the Social Security provisions that reduces their monthly benefits. This is called the Marriage Penalty.
The SSI amounts have increased since this Marriage Penalty Video was recorded. Now many people with disabilities live on a $674 per month federal SSI benefit, which is still below the poverty level. When two people with disabilities of the opposite sex get married or hold themselves out to be married, their combined benefit as a couple drops to $1011. That is a net loss of $337 or roughly 25% of their income for getting married or living like they are married.
It is hard for one person with a disability to live on $674 per month. It is even harder for two people to live on $1011. The $337 penalty for falling in love and being together makes the difference in whether they pay their utilities or buy their medication for the month. It is often not enough to do both.
People First of Montana is asking our 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. As a first step you can express your support bysigning the on-line Petition by clicking here.
People First of Montana is also organizing a national work group to collaborate in this effort. If you are interested in being a part of this work group, please call People First of Montana at Special Friends Advocacy at 1-406-756-5488 or Disability Rights Montana at 1-800-245-4743 or e-mail us at advocate@disabilityrightsmt.org.
I would love to put a link to this from People First of GA website when it comes back up in October. I would also like to be your GA rep and be on your team.
Thanks cheri Mitchell
When we talk about the cost of living within the context of SSI, at this below-subsistance amount, there no room for the notion that two can live cheaper than one. People with disabilities are already sharing housing and sleeping in living rooms, alcoves, hallways, garages, or pantries that have been converted into bedrooms. Some of us must accept gifts of food, utilize food pantries, and eagerly seek dinner invitations at the end of each month. The penny jar never gets full and all other coins go to laundry, bus fare, and items from the canned food outlet. Taking these basics away because we publicly declare our loving and committed relationships is based on the idea that we would be taking advantage of the public’s good will. This is a falsehood.