Social Security Disability Family Benefits offer crucial support for spouses and children of disabled workers. Eligibility is based on various factors, like age and disability status. Benefits range from 50-80% of the worker’s amount, with a “family maximum” limit. Consult with Trajector Disability for expert guidance through the application process.
According to the Social Security Administration, as of 2022, over a million children relied on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to meet their basic needs. Social Security offers two main disability programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
SSI is a needs-based program for low-income individuals with disabilities, including children. SSDI, the focus of this post, provides benefits to disabled workers who have a sufficient work history.
If you’ve recently become disabled and have a family depending on you, SSDI recognizes this challenge and offers additional benefits to help support your spouse and children.
Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability Family Benefits?
People who have been deemed to be disabled and have a sufficient work history may have spouses and children who are also eligible for benefits. However, it can be challenging to navigate the process of determining which family members qualify for benefits based on the individual’s disability.
Here’s a breakdown of who may be eligible to receive benefits based on your SSDI:
Spouse: Your spouse may qualify for benefits if they:
- Are aged 62 or older (Full Retirement Age).
- Are themselves disabled.
- Are caring for your child under 16 or disabled (of any age).
- You have been married for at least 1 (one) year.
Children: Your children may qualify for benefits if they are:
- Under 18 and unmarried.
- Aged 18-19 and still attending high school (must be a full-time student at an elementary or secondary school, grade 12 or below)
- 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
Ex-Spouse: If divorced, your ex-spouse may qualify for benefits if:
- You were married for at least 10 years.
- You are legally divorced from your ex-spouse and they are currently unmarried.
- Their work record does not provide a higher benefit amount than what they would receive based on your record.
Important to Note: These eligibility requirements can change over time. For example, a spouse caring for a young child may qualify for benefits until the child turns 16, then become ineligible until they reach their Full Retirement Age. Similarly, some children will stop receiving benefits when they turn 18, while others may continue receiving them up to a year after high school graduation.
Calculating Social Security Disability Family Benefits
The calculation of family benefits can be complex and depends on several factors, including:
- Your work history and average earnings (Average Indexed Monthly Earnings – AIME)
- Whether your children’s other parent is working and their income level
- The number of other family members receiving benefits on your record
As a general rule, total benefits for additional family members will typically range between 50% and 80% of the amount you receive. There’s also a concept known as the “family maximum,” which limits the total amount payable to a family to 150-180% of your benefit.
The Importance of an Experienced Social Security Disability Advocate
Whether you’re just beginning the process of applying for disability benefits or have been denied and are fighting for your benefits, we can help.
Our advocates understand how important establishing benefits is to the security of your family and will work tirelessly to ensure a smooth application process.
