Social Security Benefits for Disabled Adult Children

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How to Get SSA Benefits for Disabled Adult Children

Although the typical Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipient has worked for a significant amount of time before becoming disabled, young adults who become disabled before turning 22 can also qualify for SSDI if they have a parent who meets certain qualifications. Most people with a serious disability before turning 22 do not have the work history required to qualify for SSDI on their own. However, adult children in this situation may qualify for SSDI based on their parent's work record under specific conditions.

SSDI is a federal program primarily designed to aid individuals who become disabled after working for a certain period. Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a welfare program providing cash assistance and health care coverage to people with low income and limited assets who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled with less than $2,000 in assets, SSDI is not a needs-based program. This means there are no income or asset restrictions for SSDI. Instead, eligibility typically requires paying into the Social Security system for at least 10 years before becoming disabled.

SSDI benefits depend on the beneficiary's income before becoming disabled, the size of their family, and the amount they contributed to the Social Security system. Additionally, SSDI recipients become eligible for Medicare two years after qualifying for SSDI.

Social Security may also pay disability benefits to an eligible child based on a parent's record if the child became disabled before age 22. If at least one parent receives Social Security benefits, the adult child may qualify for disability benefits and Medicare as a Disabled Adult Child (DAC).

Here is all you need to know about this category of Social Security disability benefits

Disabled Adult Child (DAC) is a special category of Social Security designed to help individuals who were disabled prior to entering the workforce.

This classification does not mean that you are considered an adult child, but rather that you were disabled as a child. In order to qualify for DAC benefits, you must demonstrate that you were disabled prior to the age of 22.

Your State will evaluate your disability to determine if you meet the disability requirements for payment. However, at least one of your parents must currently be receiving Social Security Disability or Retirement benefits for you to qualify.

If neither parent is currently eligible, it may be necessary for you to wait until one of them becomes eligible. If one or both parents are deceased, you may still qualify based on their record. Additionally, you must be unmarried at the time of applying for DAC benefits.

How much will I receive?

Once you are qualified for benefits you will receive a payment based on the amount your parent receives. If both your parents are receiving Social Security benefits you will be paid from the parent's record that is receiving a higher amount.

You will typically receive 50% of this parent's amount. If your parents are deceased the amount is increased to 75% of their amount.

To learn more about qualifying for disability benefits from Social Security contact us for a free evaluation from The Disability Champions today at 407-601-638.