Published on: October 6, 2015
As we’ve noted here many times at our blog, around 1/3 of the United States population will become disabled before they reach retirement age. Regrettably, disability sometimes occurs during childhood or in early adulthood. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific guidelines for getting Social Security disability (SSD) if you are an adult aged 22 or younger.
According to the SSA, “An adult disabled before age 22 may be eligible for child's benefits if a parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We (the SSA – ed.) consider this a 'child's' benefit because it is paid on a parent's Social Security earnings record.”
“The 'adult child'—including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild, grandchild, or step grandchild—must be unmarried, age 18 or older, and have a disability that started before age 22.”
Information for Young Adults Getting Florida Disability
The SSA offers the following example:
- Example: A worker starts collecting Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. He has a 38-year old son who has had cerebral palsy since birth. The son will start collecting a disabled "child's" benefit on his father's Social Security record.
Now, SSDI for young adults can be confusing. It’s important to get help when pursuing SSDI in order to make sure that you get everything you can. After all, you really do need it. A simple phone call is all it takes. In about five minutes, one of our accredited SSDI and SSI advocates can tell you if you meet the minimal requirements for getting Florida disability. You can count on us to be honest, forthright, and professional.
Have More Questions? Here are More Answers
So, we established that young adults are officially termed “adult child” by the SSA. Here are some common questions regarding the adult child and getting SSDI.
Q: What if the adult child never worked?
A: It is not necessary for the adult child to have ever worked. Benefits are paid based on the parent's earnings record.
Q: What if you, the adult child, is currently working?
A: An adult child must not have substantial earnings. The amount of earnings the SSA considers "substantial" increases each year. In 2015, this means working and earning more than $1,090 a month. Certain expenses the adult child incurs in order to work may be excluded from these earnings.
Q: What if you, the adult child, are receiving supplemental security income (SSI)?
A: An adult child already receiving SSI benefits should still check to see if benefits may be payable on a parent's earnings record. Higher benefits might be payable, and entitlement to Medicare may be possible. An accredited, caring disability advocate will help you determine this. In addition, if you are receivng SSI and potentially eligible for benefits on a parent's record, you MUST file for that benefit or your SSI could be terminated.
Q: What if the parent of the adult child never worked?
A: This is an important one, and a great question. Unfortunately, no benefits would be payable on the record of a parent who never worked.
In addition, if the individual under age 22 has worked and paid into Social Security, it is possible that he/she could receive beneifts on his/her own Social Security Record.
If you have other questions DEF is here to answer those for you. Just contact us. Don’t stress out unnecessarily. We can help you get the Florida disability benefits you need.
