Getting re-married and SSI survivor benefits...How can I keep my benefits?

Question

I'm a Christian woman whose husband died. I am recieving SSI survivor benefits, but would like to get re-married.....problem is that I do not want to lose my survivor benefits. Is there a way to keep them? One option I was thinking about was to get married with just him and I present, along with one witness before God....no, legal papers signed with city hall. Do you think God would consider us married??? Struggling with this one. Would love any input here. Thanks bunches,
Kimberley

Answer 1

well most states look at people who live together for months as common law spouses(same as marriage) and are entitle to the same benefits... the scripture tells Christians to obey the governmental authority as long as it doesn't go against his law...If it is true love... do it the right and register, let your new husband take of you. Rom 13:1-4

Answer 2

FYI - You are not on SSI Survivor's Benefits - There's no such program. You are on either SSDI Survivor's Benefits or Retirement Survivor's Benefits.

Generally, you cannot get widow’s or widower’s benefits if you remarry before age 60. But remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if you are disabled) will not prevent you from getting benefit payments based on your former spouse’s work. And at age 62 or older, you may get benefits based on your new spouse’s work, if those benefits would be higher.

As for the ethics in this, it's a very personal decision that should be discussed by you, your to-be-spouse and a member of your clergy.

I have counseled many people with disabilities on benefits. In some situations they would lose all their health care services if they married and would likely die. Others decide to marry and give up their benefits because the couple thinks they'll be able to make ends meet on one spouse's earnings or maybe with the disabled person getting a part-time job. Each situation is different.

Are you unable to work? Is your future spouse unable to support you?

Good luck with you decision.

Alana
Benefits Advocate

Answer 3

No I do not think God would considered you married. Unless you have "papers signed" you are not married.
There is no LEGAL way to remarry and continue receiving survivors benefits. Those benefits are to help sustain a person after the death of a spouse and until/unless they get married and have a new spouse.
It seems you are having a difficult time choosing between "love and money". That is a red flag that either you are not emotionally ready to be married or your "real" love is money.
No matter how tight money is, trying to find a way around the system and cheat, is unacceptable. God makes it very clear that we are to do what is right. It is not right to be remarried and collect survivors benefits.
For me it would be no struggle, I would choose love. I would rather struggle financially with someone I love at my side than have more money and be alone. I feel you really need to take a hard look at yourself and this situation. You have some real soul-searching to do. God provides for all situations when we are living according to His will.

Answer 4

Dear KIm
Whether you are christian,jewish or any religion love is love and nobody has the right to take that away from you. Go with your instinct. (your gut feeling) marry the guy but you need to marry like you said with just you and him and a witness before god. Because SSI survivor bebefits are from the goverment and you do not want your check to get messed up in any way. I lost my husband of 34years, 2 years ago, I get SSi survivors and my daughter gets my husbands social security disability benefits. You have to be careful what money comes into the house and what money does not. But please fellow your heart but do this in a way that legal papers are not a factor.

Good Luck
Ronnie C

Answer 5

look, if this is Supplemental Security Income it is based on your income and that means you aren't getting anything that anyone worked for. The only payment from them that is based on earnings is straight Social Security and not SSI. They are two different things. You get the SSI because your income is so low that you need it to live. If you are marrying a man, I would hope that he is working and has income of his own and can take care of you? If not then he is collecting and you are trying to rip off the system. That is not right by law and certainly not by God. He says give unto Ceaser what is his. Meaning that we have to pay our taxes and be honest with the government even if we dont agree. I get mad when my tax money goes to people and they get everything for nothing. Housing cheap, doctor visits and medications almost for nothing and I have to pay out of my check and then pay co-pays and deductibnles and then pay co-pays for drugs that are really only what they should cost or more anyway, because I am paying for someone else who isn't working. So, you must be joking, get married without the paper? Just go out and make your own vows in the woods where noone can witness it, will that meet your needs, both Christian and legal? Come on, SSI bases on your income and you will end up with the same amount to live on, his and yours based on two people. You just want to keep the security, if that is it, you may not love or trust him enough to marry him. Maybe that is the problem. Just live in sin, you'd be doing that anyway. And by the way I am a Christian. It makes me sick to think you'd compromise your faith to have a little money. That's what gives us a bad name.

Answer 6

First I would talk to some one at SS and see what they have to say. Your not a lone this this kind of problem, The elderly who also have lost a spouse, and have found new love also face this ,If they remarried, their benefits & SS gets cut. Some even stand to have thier love ones pentions cut. NO your not cheating the system !! As far as what God think, you might have young childeren, so by palying by the rules of the system , you are looking out for your childeren ,and provideing for them in the best way you can !!! Good Luck !!
God Bless !!!

Answer 7

I am sure God will forgive you for wanting to keep your benefits so you can survive. I don't know how that works when you remarry. I see too many people run down the communion aisle who treat others like dirt. But..all is just fine because God forgives! Yes, I am sure you will still see the pearly gates for keeping your benefits and for loving one of God's children.

Answer 8

dear kimberly,
take it or leave it, you can not have both.
live in sin and keep the benefits or get married and loose them. which is more important to you.
your survivor benefits are to help you as a widow not help you and the new husband live a better life off the back of your dead husband.
sorry i don't feel sorry for you here.

Answer 9

i know a thing about that.. u will not be able to keep the beneifits that u had once u remarried.. ur marrying someone with a different last name than the one u use to have.. ur last name is not gonna be the deceased husband of urs anymore once u do remarried u will have someone else last name.. but if u have children with ur late husband im sure they will send u that beneifit .. depending on the situation.. i cant be certain of that .. but i know this .. if u dont have kids with ur late husband .. and u remarried.. u wont get the benefit .. .. even if u try to keep it .. cause your last name wont no longer be the same

Answer 10

Look you found someone that makes you happy. So get married and enjoy life.
Trying to cheat the government is stealing and violates the 8th commandment: "Thou shall not steal".
You are to abide by this laws and maintain your faith and honor with the Lord.