A HV couple is pushing for marriage equality rights [Video]

RED HOOK, N.Y. – If two people with disabilities want to get married, the amount of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) they recieve from the federal government is cut, meaning they would be eligible for less federal funding as a couple than they would as indivduals. For some, that means sacrificing a legal marriage due to financial constraints.

While the Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act was initially introduced in 2022 by Republican Jimmy Panetta, the bill was reintroduced in July 2023 during the 118th Congress. It remains in committee. 

As a result, 29-year-old advocate Samantha Van Alstyne published a book series titled “Sam Wants to Get Married,” in hopes of raising awarness for the disabled community.

“Anyone who is able-bodied can walk on the street and marry someone today and suffer no consequences,” Van Alstyne said. “I have to choose between being able to survive and being with the person …