Social Security Benefits For The Child of a Disabled Parent

For people with children or dependents, becoming disabled can be difficult, not just physically and emotionally, but it also has a huge financial impact on your family.

The SSA has made provisions for Social Security Benefits for the child of a disabled parent. If one (or both) of the parents are receiving Social Security Disability, then their child can also qualify for certain benefits. There is, however, a set of criteria that the child needs to meet before he or she can qualify for these benefits.

Auxiliary Beneficiary & Auxiliary Benefits

If you are a disabled parent on Social Security Disability because of which you cannot work, then your minor child will also receive a cash benefit every month till he or she reaches the age of 18. These cash benefits that the child receives are called Auxiliary Benefits and the child is called the Auxiliary Beneficiary.

Conditions for Auxiliary Benefits

For your child to get auxiliary benefits, there are certain conditions that need to be fulfilled.

• Relationship: the child should be related to you in one of the following ways

• Biological child

• Adopted child

• Stepchild(however, this would mean that the child does not have any living parents)

• Step-grandchild (again, this would mean that the child does not have any living parents)

• Children born in the marriage or born out of wedlock can qualify for the benefits. However, if the child is born out of wedlock, then proof must be provided that you are the child’s parent before that child can receive auxiliary benefits.

• The child must be financially dependent on the parent or the grandparent (in case of no living parents)

• If your child is disabled/was disabled before the age of 22 , then he or she is also eligible for auxiliary benefits

• The child will receive benefits till the time he or she turns 18. However, if the child is a full-time secondary school student, then he or she is eligible to receive benefits till the age of 19.

• If a child marries before he or she turns 18, then he or she is no longer eligible for auxiliary benefits.

Filing for Social Security Benefits for a Child of Disabled Parents

You may file for your child’s auxiliary benefits along with your own application or you can do it separately – the choice is yours. If you are already receiving Social Security Disability benefits, then you should call your Social Security Administration at (800)772-1213 and fix an appointment to discuss your child’s auxiliary benefits.

When you meet with your SSA representative, you will be asked to fill in an application form. You don’t need to worry – the SSA representative will help you fill in the details.

You will need to provide the following along with the application:

• Your child’s birth certificate

• The disabled parent(s) social security number(s)

• Your child’s social security number

• Your bank’s routing information so that a direct deposit process can be set up.

Amount Paid for Social Security Benefits for a Child of a Disabled Parent

There is a limit to the amount of benefits paid your child. You child can get up to 50% of what your disability rate is. However, this is also dependent on certain conditions:

• Your disability benefit amount

• The number of family members who qualify for auxiliary benefits

Generally speaking the total amount that will be paid out in benefits to your family could be as much as 150% to 180% of your benefit amount.