STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In a society that celebrates marriage equality, one group says it remains invisible to lawmakers — those with disabilities.
“Marriage penalties” — legal policies imposed by programs like Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid — reduce or eliminate crucial benefits for people with disabilities upon marriage, according to Staten Islanders with disabilities and an Elm Park-based advocacy group that supports them.
SSI is a Social Security program that provides a monthly stipend to those with disabilities, including blind people, as well as older adults who have little to no income or assets and reduced ability to work outside the home…