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What Happens To My SSDI Benefits When My Child Turns 18?

If you are disabled and you receive Social Security Disability Insurance1 (SSDI) benefits for your disability, your dependent family members, including your children and spouse, may qualify for additional benefits as well. These are often called auxiliary or dependent benefits.

Each month, the Social Security Administration pays benefits to millions of children across the country who have a parent (or parents) who are retired, deceased, or have a disability. These benefits are essential to support and stabilize families in financial need.

Often, those with dependents receiving benefits want to know what happens when a child turns 18. Let’s take a closer look at the law together.

How Are Dependent Benefits Calculated?

As a general rule, the amount each family member receives will depend on the amount of your monthly benefit and your family’s size. These calculations can become complicated, but it is helpful to remember that the total benefit for a family cannot be more than 150% or less than 100% of the disabled person’s primary insurance amount, or PIA.

Calculating benefit amounts can be difficult, but as a general rule, the more you earned, and the longer you paid into the system, the higher your benefit amount will be. Seeking advice from a knowledgeable and experienced attorney regarding how much you and your dependents might receive can be tremendously helpful.

How Does the Social Security Administration Decide If a Dependent Qualifies for Benefits?

If a parent receives either Social Security retirement or disability benefits, their children may also receive benefits in most circumstances. In order to receive benefits, the child must be unmarried and:

  • Under the age of 18, OR
  • Between the ages of 18 and 19 and still a full-time student at a school of grade 12 or below, OR
  • Age 18 or older, with a disability that began before age 22.

If a child falls within these parameters, they will typically qualify for dependent benefits. Accordingly, under the law, if a child is over the age of 18, not still in grade school, and not disabled, SSDI benefits will cease at that time.

As noted, there is an exception to this rule for those children who are themselves disabled and unable to work. In those circumstances, the child can typically receive SSDI benefits under the parent’s name until they reach the age of 22. At that time, the disabled child would likely need to seek benefits independently. As a disabled child would likely not have a sufficient work history to qualify for SSDI benefits on their own, applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits would typically be the best option in that situation.

Like SSDI benefits, SSI benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration. They are paid to those who have a qualifying medical condition that renders them disabled for one calendar year or more. Unlike the case with SSDI benefits, however, those who apply for SSI benefits do not have to have a history of working and paying taxes into the Social Security System. Instead, they must have income and resources below a certain limit established by the Social Security Administration. That limit often changes yearly, so consulting with an attorney regarding eligibility based on particular circumstances is always advised.

How Do You Apply for Dependent Benefits?

In order to apply for disability benefits for a dependent, a parent will need either the child’s birth certificate or some other proof of birth or adoption. In addition, the parent should have their own Social Security number and the child’s readily available. Other documentation may also be necessary, depending upon your unique circumstances. Fortunately, a Social Security Administration representative should be able to advise you as to whether any additional documentation is necessary, as can a knowledgeable and experienced attorney.

Understandably, the law on these matters can seem complicated. It’s normal to wonder how benefits are calculated, how much you may be entitled to, and how you should pursue those benefits on behalf of yourself and those you love. Fortunately, you don’t have to walk that road alone. At GCC Law, we’re here for you, and we’re ready to help.

GCC Law – Here For You

At GCC Law, we know that disability benefits can be an essential source of financial stability when you’re unable to work and earn an income as you otherwise would. This can especially be the case when you have children who need your support. That’s why we’re here to help. We know and understand every aspect of the law concerning disability benefits and are ready to put that knowledge to work for you. We’ll always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf, and we’re ready to get started today. If you are too, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.