Sometimes Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are paid to people who cannot work due to a terminal illness. For example, when Susan L.’s breast cancer prevents her from going back to work, she qualified for SSDI benefits. She wanted to make sure her children, Tony and Laura, would receive benefits now and if she dies. Susan researched the issue to learn if SSDI benefits pass from parent to child.
What Are SSDI Benefits?
SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance. Benefits are paid to disabled persons who meet certain criteria. For example, an applicant:
- must have accrued a certain number of work credits to qualify.
- must have a disability that prevents them from working.
The Social Security Administration administers this program. SSDI benefits can make a real difference in the lives of disabled people – and their children.
Can the Child of an SSDI Recipient Receive Benefits Also?
Yes. In fact, in 2017, the Social Security Administration provided benefits to about 4.2 million children whose parent or parents were disabled, retired or deceased.
Children must meet the following requirements, though:
- Younger than age 18,
- A full-time high school student age 18-19, or
- A disabled child age 18 or older when the disability began before age 22.
Talk to your disability attorney about applying for your child’s Social Security benefits.
Can Children Receive a Deceased Parent’s SSDI Benefits?
It is possible for children to benefit from a deceased parent’s SSDI benefits. Requirements include:
- The child must be age 18 or younger or 19 if the child is a full-time elementary or secondary school student.
- Benefits might be available for a child who became disabled before reaching age 22.
- The child must be unmarried.
- Adopted children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and even step grandchildren may be eligible to receive SSDI survivor benefits.
An adult child may be eligible to receive a deceased parent’s SSDI survivor benefits. The adult child must be disabled, have become disabled before age 22, and be unmarried.
Regardless of age, the surviving child of a deceased parent who received SSDI benefits may receive 75% of that parent’s SSDI benefit.
Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance Is Hard. We Can Help.
The SSDI application process can be long and frustrating. It’s important to have someone who knows the system help you right from the start.
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ experience in the legal field. Call us at 714-385-8100 to set up a free consultation. Though our office is conveniently located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
