Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that pays benefits to people who can no longer work due to a disability. If you receive SSDI with dependents, you may wonder if your benefits will change when your child turns 18.
The answer is usually no. In this blog, we’ll discuss what you need to know.
What Is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for workers who have paid into the Social Security system and can’t work anymore due to a qualifying disability. SSDI benefits are based on your earnings record, not financial need. If you qualify, certain dependents may also receive benefits on your record.
What Are Auxiliary (Family) Benefits?
Benefits paid to children or other qualifying family members on your SSDI record are called auxiliary benefits or family benefits. These payments are separate from your benefit and are meant to support your dependents.
Family members who may be eligible for auxiliary benefits can include:
- Minor children (including stepchildren and grandchildren)
- Adult children with disabilities
- Spouses
- Ex-spouses and some people in valid non-marital legal relationships (in certain circumstances)
Auxiliary benefits for children may stop when a child turns 18 unless they fall under an exception.
What Happens to My Benefits When My Child Turns 18?
Once your child reaches the age of 18, they are no longer considered a minor dependant. Therefore, they will no longer be eligible for SSDI benefits on your account.
Dependent payments do not reduce your personal SSDI check, but the total amount paid to the household is usually subject to a “family maximum benefit.” When your child turns 18, the dependent portion they were receiving will stop unless an exception applies. Your own SSDI benefit typically stays the same.
When Can Family Benefits Continue After a Child Turns 18?
In some situations, a child’s benefits do not automatically stop at age 18. Two common exceptions allow payments to continue:
- If your child is still a full-time student when they turn 18, benefits can usually continue until they graduate high school or until two months after they turn 19, whichever comes first. This rule allows support to continue through the last months of high school instead of ending abruptly on their eighteenth birthday.
- If your child became disabled before age 22, they may qualify for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits even after turning 18. These benefits are paid based on your SSDI work record.
DAC benefits may continue for the rest of your child’s life as long as they meet disability requirements set by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and remain unmarried (with limited exceptions). This rule is especially important to parents wondering if their disabled child can still get Social Security benefits after turning 18.
If your child is no longer eligible for benefits on your account, they may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in their own name. Your child will likely be unable to apply for their own SSDI benefits because the program requires a history of employment.
Can Adult Children Get SSI?
Yes, adult children can receive SSI, but they must qualify on their own income and medical record once they turn 18. Some adult children move from receiving benefits on a parent’s record to SSI in their own name.
If your child received SSI benefits before age 18, they may be required to go through a redetermination process once they turn 18. This can result in confusion or benefit loss without legal help.
What You Need To Know About Applying for SSI Benefits on Behalf of a Disabled Adult Child
If you are applying for SSI on behalf of a disabled child over the age of 18, there are a few things you need to know. First, your child must have a medical condition that meets the SSA’s definition of disability for adults.
Secondly, you will need to provide proof of your child’s disability. This proof can include medical records, school records, reports from therapists, etc.
Thirdly, you must prove that the child depends on you for support. This proof shows that the child lives with you and that you provide extensive financial support for them.
Keep in mind that if your child received SSI before they turned 18, they may need to reapply after their birthday. This is because the SSA’s criteria for adult disability are different from the criteria for child disability.
Applying for SSI benefits on behalf of your child can be complicated. It’s best to work with a qualified Social Security Disability lawyer. At Grundy Disability Group, we’ve been helping disabled clients file for SSI for years. We can walk you through the process and gather crucial records that will support your child’s claim.
Grundy Disability Group Can Help
Are you applying for Social Security Disability benefits on behalf of a disabled child, or is your child no longer eligible for benefits on your account? The team at Grundy Disability Group can help. We have extensive experience with both SSI and SSDI claims, and we can assist you in navigating the entire process.
Contact us today for a free consultation with our skilled Social Security Disability lawyer in Missouri.
Disclaimer: This blog post is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. If you need help with a claim, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced Social Security Disability lawyer.
