SOCIAL SECURITY FAMILY BENEFITS
Social Security's SSDI program may provide full coverage for family members of disabled workers. SSDI (or Title 2) may provide benefits for a spouse, child or widow of an eligible disabled worker. SSDI is based on the earnings record and taxes paid by the primary covered worker, who is called the "wage earner." SSI (Title 16) does not provide full family coverage, although a family member may be independently eligible under SSI.
Family members may receive up to 50 percent of the disabled worker's disability payment. There is a family maximum that ranges between 150 - 180 percent of the covered worker's benefit. Family benefits are not paid to SSI beneficiaries but a disabled spouse or child may be independently eligible if they themselves are disabled under Social Security rules.
Benefits are available to a spouse at any age who cares for a disabled worker's child under the age of 16. The spouse receives benefits until the child reaches age 16. At that time, the child's benefit continues but the spouse's benefit stops. This benefit can apply to either a father or mother.
Children eligible for benefits due to a parent's disability may be biological children, adopted children or stepchildren. A dependent grandchild may also qualify. The rules are different for children of a common law marriage and in such cases state law often controls who can get dependent benefits.
Benefits may be payable to a spouse who is age 62 or older unless that person is already receiving a higher retirement or disability benefit.
An ex-spouse over the age 62 may qualify if the marriage to a covered worker lasted more than 10 years and there is no eligibility on another worker's record. The ex-spouse's benefit will have no effect on the benefit that the worker's current family receives.
Adults whose disability began before they were 22 years old may qualify for payments. They may have received SSI benefits until the time a parent retired, became disabled or died. This program removes many of the restrictions otherwise imposed on a disabled adult and makes adult benefits possible.
SSI for children is a separate program and requires that the child himself/herself be disabled. Also, the family must meet Social Security's rules for income and resources for SSI payments (not for SSDI).
When the Forsythe Firm files for adult Social Security disability for one of our clients, we will seek benefits for all family members who may be eligible to receive payments. If you need a free, no obligation consultation--please call our Huntsville office at (256) 799-0297. If you live in Middle Tennessee, please call our Franklin/Nashville office at (615) 772-6159.
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Information herein provided is for general information and should not be relied upon as legal information for a claim or cause of action. Please contact us for answers to particular Social Security questions.
Family members may receive up to 50 percent of the disabled worker's disability payment. There is a family maximum that ranges between 150 - 180 percent of the covered worker's benefit. Family benefits are not paid to SSI beneficiaries but a disabled spouse or child may be independently eligible if they themselves are disabled under Social Security rules.
Benefits are available to a spouse at any age who cares for a disabled worker's child under the age of 16. The spouse receives benefits until the child reaches age 16. At that time, the child's benefit continues but the spouse's benefit stops. This benefit can apply to either a father or mother.
Children eligible for benefits due to a parent's disability may be biological children, adopted children or stepchildren. A dependent grandchild may also qualify. The rules are different for children of a common law marriage and in such cases state law often controls who can get dependent benefits.
Benefits may be payable to a spouse who is age 62 or older unless that person is already receiving a higher retirement or disability benefit.
An ex-spouse over the age 62 may qualify if the marriage to a covered worker lasted more than 10 years and there is no eligibility on another worker's record. The ex-spouse's benefit will have no effect on the benefit that the worker's current family receives.
Adults whose disability began before they were 22 years old may qualify for payments. They may have received SSI benefits until the time a parent retired, became disabled or died. This program removes many of the restrictions otherwise imposed on a disabled adult and makes adult benefits possible.
SSI for children is a separate program and requires that the child himself/herself be disabled. Also, the family must meet Social Security's rules for income and resources for SSI payments (not for SSDI).
When the Forsythe Firm files for adult Social Security disability for one of our clients, we will seek benefits for all family members who may be eligible to receive payments. If you need a free, no obligation consultation--please call our Huntsville office at (256) 799-0297. If you live in Middle Tennessee, please call our Franklin/Nashville office at (615) 772-6159.
____________
Information herein provided is for general information and should not be relied upon as legal information for a claim or cause of action. Please contact us for answers to particular Social Security questions.
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