Noteboom The Law Firm

Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits for Adult Children

Children whose parents receive Social Security disability benefits often receive a portion of the benefits on their parent's record. They may also collect survivors' benefits if their parent received disability benefits prior their death. In addition, there are circumstances under which an adult child may receive Social Security disability benefits.

The Military Family Network reports that while the abovementioned benefits typically cease when your child turns 18, as long as the disabled adult child can provide evidence that they were disabled or blind before age 22, they can continue to receive such disability benefits after reaching adulthood.

If your adult child matches that description, you can file for your child as a "disabled adult child." To qualify, your child must also not be able to work, be unmarried, and must qualify as disabled under the Social Security Administration's definition of disabled. You and your child will be required to provide sufficient medical documentation as evidence that your child is unable to work.

This rule makes it possible to prevent any gaps in disability coverage. If it did not exist, disabled children who have been receiving SSA disability coverage for years on their parent's record may suddenly lose coverage when reaching age 18. The idea is to prevent disabled children from having to wait months, or even years, to begin receiving disability benefits on their own record.

If you or your adult disabled child is 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 and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The attorneys at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Atlanta, Georgia, 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.