Adults are not the only ones who can get Social Security payments. Dependents of a handicapped adult who is eligible for SSDI benefits and who are totally reliant on them for clothing, food, and housing may also be eligible for benefits. We refer to this as dependent benefits. Stated differently, the Social Security system is not limited to adults. Children are given Social Security numbers shortly after birth for this reason, in reality.
Does My Child Need to be Disabled to Receive Benefits??
The simple answer is no. To be eligible, they don’t have to be disabled. Nonetheless, a set of requirements must be fulfilled.
The child must be under the age of eighteen and unmarried (19 years old if still enrolled in school).
They must have at least one of the following connections to you:
- Your biological child
- Your adopted child
- Your stepchild
- Your grandchild only in the event that you are the only guardian and there isn’t a living parent
- Your stepchild has no living parents and is officially adopted
Maria, a Social Security Disability attorney in Melbourne, Florida had this to say: “Some people may believe that Social Security Disability will only cover their child if the child too is disabled. That is not the case. If their guardian or parent is disabled and unable to earn a substantial living, the child is eligible as well.”
How Much Is Allowed for My Child?
Between 50% and 75% of what you receive can be given to your dependent. For instance: Your child might receive more than $750 a month if you receive $1500. The greatest amount of disability benefits you can earn overall if you have more than one kid is 180%.
What Do I Need to Apply for My Child’s Benefits?
- The birth certificate or adoption documents for your dependent are required.
- Their evidence of citizenship is required.
- Any tax returns in the event that your child received any money.
In order for Social Security to determine which parent will receive the additional funds, you will need to provide proof of a timesharing agreement if you are not living with your biological parent. You will require documentation proving your marriage to the dependent’s biological parent if they are a stepchild.
Contacting a Disability Attorney for Your Case
The statistics say that hiring an attorney who specializes in disability increases your chances of being approved by double. Not only that, if you are denied benefits, the attorney wil also help you double your chances of winning an appeal. You get one appeal and it must be done right away, so time is of the essence.
“Most people are not aware of what it takes to qualify for disability.” says Maria. “you must prove your case must like any legal hearing. While you may be fully disabled and entitled to payments, the burden is on you to show the Administration that you are in fact disabled.”
An attorney helps you build your case by doing the following:
- Requesting and collecting documents
- Making sure you have seen the right specialists
- Filling out the proper forms
- Making sure everything is submitted and on-time
It may not seem like a complicated process but the fact is that there is very little margin for error. The SSA has 350+ million people to serve and they are very busy. They want to approve well-presented cases with clear cut evidence.
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