When Persons Living with Disabilities Mary: Is There a Marriage Penalty? (Special Needs Alliance) (Report‪)‬

Now age 30, Carrie has been living semi-independently since she turned 21. She receives $694 each month from the Social Security Administration: $500 of CDB (Childhood Disability Benefit) and $194 of SSI (Supplemental Security Income). CDB is an income benefit for individuals who were disabled before age 22 and have a retired, disabled or deceased parent who paid into the social security system. CDB is based on the parent's Social Security account. A description of how the entitlement amount is determined is beyond the scope of this article. Carrie is on Medicare, Medicaid, and a Medicaid waiver program. When Carrie was 28, she met Daniel and fell in love. They have been dating ever since and have announced joyfully that they are going to get married in the fall. How will the marriage affect her Social Security and SSI checks? How will it affect her Medicaid? Should the family give them gifts? How will her needs be met? What is Daniel's situation--is he living with a disability or is he able-bodied and able to work and earn a living?