Illness and injury can strike at any moment and without warning. If you are an individual who works to support a family, then it can be especially devastating when you are suddenly faced with becoming disabled. If you worked an ample amount of time before becoming disabled, you may be eligible to receive SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits and under specific circumstances these benefits can apply to your children as well. If you didn’t earn enough work credits throughout your career before you became disabled to receive SSDI, then SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits can be granted to you based on need. Unfortunately, SSI doesn’t provide benefits to your dependents (only to the disabled individual). However, disabled children who meet the disability requirements of the SSA (Social Security Administration) are eligible for SSI.
It’s not possible for a child who isn’t old enough to work to pay into the Social Security system (FICA taxes), but in some cases children can receive SSDI benefits. Regardless of whether a child is disabled, if their parent, grandparent (if there are no living parents), stepparent, or adoptive parent is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits – or was entitled to these benefits when they passed – then they may be eligible to qualify for these benefits as well. When these SSDI benefits are awarded to children because of the Social Security record of their legal guardian, they are referred to as auxiliary benefits (or dependents benefits). When a disabled “child” turns 18 years old, or 19 if they are a full-time school student, they can continue to collect SSDI based off of their parent’s earnings record as a “disabled adult child.” A child is eligible for up to 50% of their parent’s monthly benefit, but if they get married however, the auxiliary benefits will cease.
If a disabled child is from a low-income household then they are eligible to collect SSI until they turn 18 years old. There are disability requirements and financial limits set placed upon this process. The resources and income of the child, as well as their family, are taken into consideration. Even if a newborn is without a doubt disabled, they might not be eligible to receive SSI based on the income of the family. Once approved, after a set period of time has passed then the disabled child can also receive Medicaid. When a disabled child receiving SSI turns 18 years old they may be eligible to begin collecting adult SSI benefits.
Obtaining either of these benefits is a lengthy process which can be difficult and confusing. Being initially denied these benefits, even if you know you’re entitled to them, is commonplace. Hiring a professional disability attorney with years of experience, like the ones found at website, to represent you during your appeal hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ) will definitely improve your chances of receiving the benefits you deserve. You can also visit their Facebook page for more information.
