If You Get Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits, Will Your Dependents Get A Check?If you apply for disability benefits under the SSI program, your child or spouse will not receive money simply for being your dependents. However, the situation is different if your claim is filed under the SSDI, or Social Security Disability insurance, program. Some Social Security Disability beneficiaries have enough additional money on their record to pay dependent benefits and others do not. The amount of benefits payable on a Social Security Disability beneficiary's record is directly related to the amount of earnings they earned prior to becoming disabled. When an individual is approved for disability benefits, a mathematical computation determines two things: the amount of the primary benefit amount (amount payable to the disabled individual) and the family maximum (the total amount payable to the family including the disabled individual). Social Security determines the amount payable to the disability beneficiary's dependents (spouse, children, and, in some extremely limited cases, a dependent parent) by subtracting the primary benefit amount payable to a disabled worker from the family maximum benefit amount. Social Security regulations state that a disabled individual's dependents are entitled to receive a benefit that is equal to half the disabled individual's disability benefit amount if there is enough money payable on the record. If there is not enough money to pay half of the disabled beneficiary's primary benefit amount, the amount that remains after subtracting the primary benefit amount from the family maximum is divided equally among the disabled beneficiary's dependents. As I stated above, some Social Security beneficiaries have no extra money on their records to pay dependent benefits. If an individual has had low earnings or very few years of earnings prior to becoming disabled there may be no money payable to dependents. Lastly, there is one other situation that might affect the amount of money payable to a disabled individual's dependents. Social Security has another type of family maximum that affects dependents of two individuals who are each receiving disability. This family maximum is known as a combined family maximum. Combined family maximums occur when dependent children are potentially entitled on two disability beneficiaries' records and are unable to be paid the half of the benefit amount payable to the disability beneficiary with the highest primary benefit amount. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Are Social Security Disability Benefits Taxable? How long do you have To Be Out Of Work Before You Get Social Security Disability (SSD)? How Old Do You Have To Be For Social Security Disability - Is There An Age Requirement? Can You Get SSD or SSI Disability Benefits If you are Injured In An Accident? Social Security Disability, SSI and Being Over the Age of Fifty Will Work Cause You To Lose Your Disability Benefits? How Long Can You Receive Social Security Disability Benefits? Does Social Security Disability Come With Medicaid Benefits? If you get Social Security Disability benefits do you get Medicare or Medicaid? If You Get Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits, Will Your Dependents Get A Check? If I Move To A State Where There Is A Lower Cost Of Living, Would My SSD Benefits Decrease? Will I qualify for disability Benefits in New York Getting a Disability Lawyer in New York How do Disability Lawyers in New York get paid their fees? |
