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Can Children Receive Social Security Disability Benefits?

Speaking of an outright child, no, it’s not reasonable to expect social security disability for a minor who is disabled. It’s also not reasonable to expect social security disability benefits for a minor that sustained injuries. Even if those injuries leave them unable to attend school, they’re not “unable to work for at least a year.”

Children simply can’t meet the basic requirements for disability. In that, they have not maintained gainful employment for a duration of time to receive credits towards SSDI. They also are not missing out on an income. Of course, there are situations when a child receives a portion of their parent or guardians SSDI, and then there is the matter of adult children.

Differences Between SSI and SSDI

Children can hardly benefit from SSDI except in rather uncommon situations. They may receive benefits from a social security record of their parents until they reach the age of 18. Additionally, there’s the opportunity for adult children to access SSDI after they turn 18, more on this in a moment.

SSDI is difficult to get for children. However, disabled children can often access Social Security Income. Accessing Social Security Disability Income is often the secondary or lesser preferred supplemental income option for children with demanding needs.

Social Security Incomes, however, is available through the Social Security Administration for both children and adults. While children still have to meet the basic disability requirements, such as not being able to maintain employment due to disabilities, it’s less demanding. SSI is an option for those with a low income or access to few resources that are necessary for treating or establishing comfort with their disability.

After turning 18, however, the disabled child will need to go through the SSI and SSDI application process again as an adult, or an adult child.

Adults Disabled in Childhood

There is a small gap between “adulthood” and “childhood,” known as “adult children.” Typically, non-disabled people don’t have any need for this gap. But when it comes to handling SSDI applications, it is very important.

Adults disabled during childhood must have disabilities that happened or be diagnosed prior to them turning 22. But, in order to apply for SSDI as an adult child, they must be over the age of 18. These adult children often have someone applying on their behalf because it would be unreasonable for them to seek employment.

Usually, the parents or guardians in these situations had set up SSI for the child before they turned 18. These adult children usually have demanding medical requirements, which lead to seeking out support from Social Security.

Children Receive Social Security Disability Benefits for Parents Who Receive Disability

Children of disabled parents may have access to receiving SSDI, as well. Of course, at that time, the adult receiving SSDI must have met all requirements. They must have put the time in for their work credits to become eligible to receive SSDI. Then they must have a medical team identify that they will be unable to work for at least one year if not an extended duration of time.

Often children involved will only receive SSDI if the parent is on TPD. The children can only receive half of the Social Security disbursement and that the monthly earnings may not exceed specific amounts. There are family maximums in place to prevent families from gathering a substantial amount of disability income from one disabled parent. That maximum family benefit is usually about 150% of the disabled adult’s compensation amount.

That 150% only allows for one parent to receive 100% of their disability and a child or their children to receive an additional 50% of the amount of the benefits collectively. These situations almost always require an attorney because it’s very unclear as to how an individual can go about this application. You need a professional who handles SSDI applications and appeals regularly.

For More Information Contact a Social Security Disability Benefits Attorney

Young, Reverman & Mazzei is a law office that specializes in helping injury victims. Children that experience severe injuries that change their lives may have access to social security disability benefits or disability under very specific situations.

Contacting a lawyer in these uncertain situations is the first good step. Hearing something from a neighbor or from a family friend doesn’t make the information reliable. Misinformation often comes from a good place, families that are trying to be supportive. But, don’t take their information as something solid. Instead, contact an SSDI attorney in Cincinnati.

Reaching out to Young, Reverman & Mazzei can help you decide if applying for SSDI or social security is right for you.

Jay A. Bolotin is a partner at the injury law firm of Young, Reverman & Bolotin. Serving the people of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, Jay dedicates his career to helping clients in the tri-state area obtain financial compensation after suffering serious injuries. He focuses his practice on cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, dog bites and animal attacks, and other types of personal injury incidents.

Years of Experience: More than 25 years
Registration Status:: Active
Bar Admissions: Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Cincinati Bar Association