major concerns

i am in the process of getting approved for my disability and i am also on medicaid. I recently got engaged and plan to get married soon how will getting married affect my disability and medicaid?

[Amir Mostafaie]

Dear clc157,

I am not aware of any impacts that getting married may have on disability status, if you are deemed disabled, you are deemed disabled; but along with age and income, spousal status can affect your eligibility for Medicaid. Being married affects your eligibility due to the fact that you must report income from all individuals living in the home. If you have a significant other with a higher income than your own, this can cause your income to be reported at a higher rate, since both incomes will be calculated together. This can possibly make it more difficult to qualify for Medicaid coverage.

If both the applicant and spouse’s income fall under the income limit for eligibility, then the applicant may still qualify for Medicaid benefits. In some states, an individual can follow the stated income limits for eligibility while the spouse can have unlimited income, provided that the spouse is not receiving benefits. Keep in mind that the rules governing Medicaid eligibility differ from state to state, so it is advisable that you consult your case worker regarding your state’s Medicaid eligibility statues.

Sincerely,

Amir Mostafaie