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Life change guide

I'm getting married

How getting married affects SNAP, Medicaid, tax credits and more. What to do after your wedding.

Where to start

Getting married can change your eligibility for government benefits. When you marry, your household income and size change on paper, which affects what programs you qualify for.

Your new combined income might make you ineligible for some benefits. Or it might make you eligible for others. You might also qualify for tax credits you didn't before.

The key is to report your marriage to the agencies that handle your benefits. Do this as soon as you can after the wedding. Each program has its own rules and deadlines. If you delay reporting, you could get overpaid and owe the money back.

If you don't have benefits right now, getting married could change that. Your spouse's income and household size might open new doors for you both.

Here's what to do, in order.

Do these first

  1. 1

    Tell SNAP about your marriage

    If you get SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), report your marriage to your state SNAP office right away. Your benefits will likely change because your household size increased and your combined income is now higher. You may lose eligibility or your payment may drop. Applying is free.

    About SNAP
  2. 2

    Tell Medicaid about your marriage

    Contact your state Medicaid office or HealthCare.gov to update your information. Your new household income might affect your eligibility. You can apply for Medicaid at any time of year. Applying is free, and only the state agency decides eligibility.

    About Medicaid
  3. 3

    Check if you now qualify for tax credits

    Your combined income might now qualify you for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or ACA Marketplace Premium Tax Credits. These can give you money back at tax time or lower your health insurance costs. Check what you might qualify for when you file taxes or if you need health coverage.

    About EITC
  4. 4

    Review your health insurance options

    If your spouse has employer health coverage, you may now have the option to join it. If not, check whether you qualify for ACA Marketplace Premium Tax Credits to lower the cost of a health plan. You can enroll during open enrollment or if you qualify for a special enrollment period.

    About ACA Subsidies
  5. 5

    Update your tax withholding

    Now that you're married, you might want to adjust your tax withholding at work. This affects how much money is taken out of your paycheck. You can use the IRS withholding calculator to see if you need to change anything.

  6. 6

    Keep your documents safe

    Keep your marriage certificate and any updated letters from benefit agencies in a safe place. You may need them to prove your marital status to other agencies or if you need to reapply for benefits later.

Programs that can help

SNAPUSDA Food and Nutrition ServiceSNAP gives monthly benefits on an EBT card to help households with low income buy food.MedicaidCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicaid is free or low-cost health coverage run by each state with federal funding, for children, adults, pregnant people, older adults and people with disabilities.EITCInternal Revenue ServiceThe EITC is a federal tax credit for people who work and have low to moderate income. It may lower your tax and add to your refund.ACA SubsidiesCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesPremium tax credits may lower the monthly cost of a health plan you buy through the ACA Marketplace.

Offers that can help

Services from our partners. You never need a paid service to apply for benefits.

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