Spousal support (also known as alimony) is a court ordered payment from one spouse or domestic partner to help cover the other's monthly expenses. Temporary spousal support is court-ordered monthly payment from one spouse to the other while a family law case is on-going.When calculating alimony, SSDI payments are considered income, while SSI is not. If your disability prevents you from working, you may qualify for permanent spousal support. For temporary support, the family court balances what you need and what your spouse can pay. California considers the earning capacity of each spouse when awarding spousal support. How California handles spousal maintenance for alimony. However, SSDI benefits may be garnished to pay child support or alimony following a divorce. Care for a disabled child can impact a woman's ability to hold a job. Date (if service is in California).