Brad Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, said low-wage workers are often hesitant to tie the knot because of the financial repercussions. Wilcox told NPR that pooling spousal incomes means a family may no longer qualify for food stamps, the Earned Income Tax Credit or Medicaid. "They're hesitant to marry because they realize that they would experience a significant financial hit by doing so," Wilcox said.