Why It Matters
The Disabled Adult Children (DAC) program allows adults who became disabled before age 22 to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits based on their parent’s work record. The DAC program is a type of Social Security Disability benefit, which means the benefits are based on the work record of a parent who is deceased, disabled, or receiving retirement benefits.
Currently under the Social Security Act, when Disabled Adult Children get married, they may lose eligibility for essential benefits, including Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. This means hundreds of thousands of Disabled Adult Children have to choose between financial security and health care, and their personal relationships.
What the Bill Does
The Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act amends the Social Security Act to provide equal treatment and protections for married Disabled Adult Children nationwide, ensuring Disabled Adult Children can retain essential health services and financial support, regardless of marital status.
The Act also:
- Prevents Spousal Penalties: A spouse’s income and resources will not be counted when determining DAC eligibility for benefits.
- Promotes Equality: Guarantees that marital status does not determine access to essential supports.
We urge you to co-sponsor/introduce (Senate) and pass the Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act to ensure your disabled constituents don’t have to choose between their essential benefits and getting married.
To learn more and co-sponsor this bill, please contact:
Seamus McKeon (Office of Representative Jimmy Panetta): Seamus.McKeon@Mail.House.Gov
