If you are receiving Social Security Disability, your family members may be entitled to receive a portion of your benefits. These dependent benefits can be paid to a spouse, divorced spouse and children.
Let’s take a closer look at the circumstances for each.
Spouse
- A spouse who is caring for your child who is 16-years-old or younger may receive benefits. The benefits will stop once a child is 16-years-old. However, the child will typically receive benefits until he or she reaches 18-years-old.
- If a spouse is 62-years-old or older and his or her Social Security retirement benefits are lower than yours, he or she can receive benefits.
Ex-Spouse
- A divorced spouse who is 62-years-old or older and collects retirement benefits that are less than yours can receive benefits.
- The marriage between you and the divorced spouse must have lasted for at least 10 years.
- The divorced spouse must not be remarried.
Minor Children
- Please note that your biological child, adopted child or stepchild can receive benefits.
- Children who are unmarried and under the age of 18 are eligible for benefits until they reach 18-years-old.
Adult Children
- If a child is between 18 and 19-years-old and is a full-time student, (cannot exceed 12th grade) he or she will receive benefits until graduation or two months after turning 19, according to which event occurs first.
Disabled Children
- If a child is 18-years-old or older and has a disability that started before age 22, he or she will receive benefits.
Grandchildren
In some cases, a grandchild can receive benefits if:
- The parents of the child are deceased
- The grandchild started living with his or her grandparents before turning 18-years-old
- He or she received at least 50% of their financial support from their grandparent the year before the grandparent qualified for SSD.
How Much Can Family Members Receive?
The maximum family benefit must be 150-180%. If you are receiving SSD benefits, the amount you will receive is set at 100%. For example, if a father is receiving SSD benefits (100%) his eligible wife, and two children will receive an equal amount of benefits that range from 50-80% in total.
We Can Help
If you are disabled and unable to work, call Disability Attorneys of Michigan for a free confidential consultation. We’ll let you know if we can help you get a monthly check and help you determine if any money or assets you receive could impact your eligibility for disability benefits.
Disability Attorneys of Michigan works hard every day helping the disabled of Michigan seek the Social Security Disability benefits they need. If you are unable to work due to a physical, mental, or cognitive impairment, call Disability Attorneys of Michigan now for a free consultation at 800-949-2900.
Let Michigan’s experienced Social Security Disability law firm help you get the benefits you deserve.
Disability Attorneys of Michigan, Compassionate Excellence.