Noteboom The Law Firm

How Children Can Get Disability Benefits

While collecting Social Security disability benefits can help you pay your bills and at least provided some income, what is enough for a single person living alone is not enough for someone raising children. Rather than having to give up custody of your children or forcing teenagers still in school to get a job, the SSA can help.

Parents who receive disability benefits and have dependent children can get more than just income for themselves. Children of dependents can receive benefits as long as they meet at least one of the following requirements:

·        They are under age 18

·        They are 19 and still in high school fulltime

·        They have a disability that began prior to age 22

 
Dependents' benefits are available if the child's parents receive disability or other benefits from the SSA. Additionally, if one or both of the child's parents have passed away, and at least one parent paid Social Security taxes, they are likely eligible for survivors' benefits.

Each child is eligible to receive up to half the amount of their parent's retirement or disability benefit. If they receive checks because their parent died, they can receive up to 75% of what that parent's benefit would have been. The limit per family is about 150 to 180% of the parent's full benefit.

You will need to apply for the benefits for your children, in which case you will need their birth certificates and the Social security numbers for both of you. If you are the surviving parent applying for survivors' benefits for your children, you will need proof of their other parent's death.

Of course, disabled children are also eligible for benefits. To apply, you will need proof of the disability, such as evidence from a doctor. The benefits will be paid until they reach age 18, and as long as the disability began before age 22, the benefits will continue into adulthood. You can contact a lawyer for help during this process.

If you or your loved one are suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The disability lawyers at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.