Here’s What Happens When A Child On SSDI Turns 18

Here’s What Happens When A Child On SSDI Turns 18
August 3, 2023

By Steve Fields
Principal Attorney

Does your child receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits from the government? Are they getting close to turning 18? If this is the case, now is an excellent opportunity to consult a special needs planning lawyer. Your child may soon experience some crucial developments that could substantially impact their SSDI compensation. 

When a child receiving SSDI payments reaches the age of 18, their case is examined to see if they still qualify for adult disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers several variables while making this decision. The person may continue receiving SSDI payments as an adult if they meet the eligibility standards. 

This article will explore how a child’s age affects SSDI benefits.

SSDI Benefits Of Child Turning 18

Your children may be eligible for SSDI benefits if you are disabled and receive benefits from the SSDI program. Benefits for children when eligible for SSDI give you financial security by helping fund your children’s school education and daily expenses. What happens next, though?

SSDI benefits through a parent often end when a non-disabled child turns 18, unless they require more time to finish high school. When that occurs, a child may continue to receive benefits until they graduate from high school or until two months after their 19th birthday, whichever comes first. 

A child who was disabled before age 22 may also continue to receive benefits after turning 18. Based on the parent’s work history and wages, the child will get the SSDI payments due in this situation. 

When a child no longer meets the requirements for benefits, your monthly SSDI payment remains the same because it is not decreased to pay benefits to one or more of your children. 

When Social Security no longer pays benefits to one of your children, it may be divided among your other dependents who are still eligible for benefits. 

Requirements To Qualify for SSDI

You must be handicapped and qualify for SSDI for your child to receive payments under the program. To be eligible for benefits, you must have worked sufficiently and paid Social Security taxes on your employment or self-employment income.

To be eligible for benefits, you must acquire sufficient labor credits. Your annual income determines how many work credits you are eligible for. 

You can only earn four credits throughout the year. Depending on how old you are when you become disabled, you may need a certain number of credits to be eligible for disability benefits.

Requirements To Qualify for SSDI

In short, the older you are, the more credits you need to be eligible for SSDI, and Here are a few examples based on the age at which a disability first occurs:

  • Six work credits if the onset occurs before age 24
  • Eight to eighteen work credits for onset between the ages of 24 and 30
  • Twenty work credits for onset between the ages of 31 and 42 

Generally, an individual needs to earn 40 work credits to be eligible for benefits, with 20 of those credits earned in the last 10 years before their disability. Your monthly benefit does not increase if you earn more than 40 credits. Social Security uses a formula to determine your monthly benefits based on your lifetime earnings.

Who Is Eligible for Children’s Benefits, and How Much Do They Receive?

If an unmarried child has a parent who is disabled and eligible for SSDI or whose deceased parent worked long enough to be eligible for Social Security benefits, they may be eligible for children’s payments if they meet one of the following requirements:

  • Should be under the age of 18
  • Be enrolled full-time in secondary school and between the ages of 18 and 19
  • Be at least 18 years old and have a disability that began before the child turned 22

A child may receive SSDI benefits equal to half of what a parent receives. However, there is a limit on the amount that can be paid to family members through a parent’s SSDI.

The limit is between 150% and 180% of the total benefit to the parent. Any amount beyond the maximum reduces the amount each family member receives to return the total to the permitted percentage.

When Can Children Receive SSDI Benefits Through Their Parents?

Disabled or blind children under 22 years old and dependents of a parent who is fully entitled to disability or retirement benefits may be eligible for SSDI benefits. holds that they are eligible even if the parent passed away but was fully qualified for disability or retirement benefits.

To be fully insured and eligible for disability or retirement payments, a parent must have worked and contributed to the Social Security system for a sufficient period of time. 

Because Social Security Disability Insurance has nothing to do with actual insurance, the term “insured” is not used very clearly. It depends on how long a person has paid taxes, unlike private insurance coverage that you may have from your employment. 

When Can Children Receive SSI Benefits Through Their Parents?

Children with disabilities who meet specific income and resource requirements from birth to age 18 (or 19 if enrolled in school) may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) assistance. The insured status of a parent has no bearing on these SSI benefits. 

The definition of disability for adults must be used to reassess a child’s disability status after they turn 18 years old.

When Can Children Receive SSI Benefits Through Their Parents?

What If a Disabled Adult Child Never Worked?

SSDI benefits are given to disabled people over 18, as determined by the parent’s social security earnings history. Therefore, even if the disabled adult child has never worked, SSDI benefits for children will be paid in some situations.

The SSI program has certain family income and resource limits, but unlike the SSDI program, there are no work requirements for eligibility.

Get Professional Advice From an SSDI Advocate 

Your spouse and children might be eligible for family benefits through your account if you are qualified for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. The money you receive won’t change the monthly SSDI benefits they get.

Conclusion

For children receiving SSDI benefits, turning 18 will be a big milestone. Understanding the requirements for adult disability benefits and how turning 18 affects SSDI benefits is essential.

An SSDI planning attorney should be consulted if your child is getting close to turning 18. Knowledgeable decisions need to be made, and plans for a family’s financial stability can be easier when families know the rules regarding SSDI benefits for children.

Author

Steve Fields is the founder and managing attorney at Fields Law Firm. Since founding the firm in 2001 he quickly established a reputation with his Personal Injury clients for being a lawyer who truly cares.

Together with his experienced team of legal professionals, Steve ensures clients win their case, maximize their recovery while also looking out for their long-term interests, all backed with the firm’s Win-Win Guarantee®.

Fields Law currently handles cases for Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Long Term Disability, Social Security Disability and Consumer Rights and has grown to be one of the largest injury and disability law firms in the nation.

2 Responses

  1. My son is 18 years old bad his has an intellectual dysfunctional.
    He is looking for job or training program
    the family needed help to fine something to do.
    He finishes H School is year bat no WRITTING OR RIEDING. The SCHOOL DONT GIVE HIM diploma because IS intellect dysfunctional.
    PLEAE THE FAMILLY NEEDED YOUR HEPLP, thanks
    Is name Mamadou Lamine Drame (26 Jan 2006 . USA citizen.
    Fater: Ousmane Drame (9294088183)
    Address: 871E 179 ST Apt 2B Bronx NY 10460

    1. You should reach out your local Social Security office as your son would only be eligible for SSI. They will be able to set up an appointment to file for benefits. To qualify for SSDI benefits you have to pay into the Social Security program. If your son has never work he will only be eligible or SSI benefits.

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