When you qualify for disability benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance, it’s important to note that members of your family, including biological, adopted, or stepchildren, may also qualify. Even a grandchild who is dependent upon you for support could potentially qualify for family benefits through SSDI.
What happens to your SSDI benefits when your child reaches 18 depends on a number of factors. National Disability Experts believe that your disability benefits are important to you and your family, so they put together an explanation of what you should expect when your child turns 18. What you learn may surprise and enlighten you.
Family Benefits Through SSDI
When you become eligible for SSDI benefits, the following members of your family also qualify for benefits based on your work history:
- Your spouse.
- A divorced spouse.
- Biological children, stepchildren, and adopted children.
- Adult children who became disabled prior to age 22.
- Grandchildren who are dependent on you for their support.
Eligible family members may receive a monthly benefit equal to as much as 50% of your SSDI benefits. The total benefit payable to you and eligible members of your family cannot exceed 150 to 180% of your monthly SSDI benefits.
The Social Security Administration uses a formula to determine the maximum family benefit. The disability lawyers at National Disability Experts can explain how the formula works in your specific family situation.
How Do Your SSDI Benefits Work For Your Children?
A child must be unmarried to qualify for benefits through your work and earnings record. The general rule is that a child must be younger than age 18 to be eligible for benefits through a parent’s account, but there are two exceptions:
- A child who is a full-time student when they reach age 18 may continue receiving benefits until they complete elementary or secondary school. If a child has not graduated from high school by the time they reach age 19, benefits end two months after turning age 19.
- When a disabled child reaches age 18, their benefits through your account end unless their disability begins prior to age 22. An unmarried child age 18 or older whose disability began before reaching age 22 is a Disabled Adult Child.
A Diabled Adult Child may continue to receive benefits based on your record of earnings. The adult child cannot have “substantial earnings.” The Social Security Administration guidelines for substantial earnings change from year to year.
A Disabled Adult Child cannot have earnings from working in 2024 that exceed $1,550 a month. A child whose disabling condition is blindness may earn no more than $2,590 a month during 2024.
The SSA determines whether a child is disabled after turning 18 years of age using the same criteria it uses to evaluate an adult’s disability for purposes of SSDI eligibility. An application for benefits must be completed and submitted to the Disability Determination Services, which is an agency in the state your child resides. The DDS evaluates your child’s medical records to determine if they are disabled according to federal standards.
How Do Benefits Paid To A Child Affect Your SSDI Benefits?
A child may qualify for up to 50% of your monthly SSDI benefit. A child whose parent has died can receive up to 75% of the deceased parent’s SSDI or Social Security retirement benefit. The benefit paid to a child based on your earnings and work record does not reduce the monthly SSDI benefits that you are eligible to receive.
If the family benefits paid on your earnings record exceed the maximum allowable benefit of 150% to 180% of your total benefit amount, Social Security reduces the amount received by each family member. It does not, however, reduce your monthly SSDI benefits.
You’re probably wondering right now: What happens to my SSDI benefits when my child turns 18 years? The answer is that nothing happens to your SSDI benefits because the benefits to your child or to other eligible members of your family do not affect how much you get from SSDI.
Learn About Your Social Security Benefits From The Experts At National Disability Experts
Monthly Social Security disability benefits make it possible for disabled workers and their families to meet everyday expenses. When so much is at stake, you want to know you have someone on your side with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to fight for the SSDI benefits you and your family need, deserve, and are eligible to receive.
The disability lawyers at National Disability Experts have what it takes to guide you through complicated and confusing disability benefit regulations and procedures. Trust them to treat your claim for benefits with the utmost care and commitment. Learn more during a free consultation by contacting National Disability Experts today.