Social Security Disability Income is a program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides help to disabled individuals who meet qualifying criteria. An adult child who is disabled may be eligible to receive disability benefits based on a parent's Social Security earnings. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center points out that there are a number of advantages to receiving Social Security Disability Income, especially benefits payable on a parent's earnings record. There are factors to take into account when applying for this type of financial assistance for a disabled adult child.
Step 1
Inquire about the Adult Child Disability program. If you are receiving disability benefits for your own disability or are currently receiving retirement benefits, your disabled adult child may be eligible for benefits if he is unmarried, age 18 or older and has a disability that occurred before the age of 22. The disabled adult child of a deceased parent may also qualify for benefits paid on the parent's earnings.
Step 2
Check to see if a disabled adult child already receiving SSI since childhood or disability benefits based on his own earnings record might be eligible for benefits based on a parent's earnings. In these cases, an adult child is often entitled to higher monthly benefits and has the right to receive Medicare in addition to Medicaid for more comprehensive medical insurance coverage. This allows the disabled individual to access more medical services.
Step 3
Visit your local Social Security office or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to begin the application process. You cannot apply for disability benefits for a disabled adult child online. All forms need to be completed in their entirety before the individual will be considered for benefits. When applying for disability benefits, you must complete the Application for Benefits and Adult Disability Report Form (SSA-3368).
Step 4
Demonstrate that an adult child has a long-term disability that makes him unable to work. His disability is defined under the same classification as other disabled adults. If medical evidence shows that the individual's medical condition is severe, or if the condition is on the state agency's List of Impairments, he may automatically be considered disabled as defined by law. The disability can be related to a specific physical or mental condition or combination of conditions. The disabling condition must already have lasted or be expected to persist for at least one year or end in death for an adult child to be eligible to apply for disability benefits.
Step 5
Show that a disabled adult child is unable to work in any of the positions in which she might have been employed previously. If your child worked for a while before becoming disabled, certain other factors such as age, work history and education are taken into account. The Disability Determination Board will determine if the individual is able to work in any job for which she would be eligible. If the board decides that a disabled adult child can return to some type of work based on these factors, the individual will not be approved for disability benefits.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are helping a disabled adult child apply for benefits, you need his Social Security number; proof of age; summary of any employment, including a description of the type of work he performed; a copy of his medical records; test and lab results; details about medications; and the names and contact information for any doctors, hospitals, therapists, caseworkers and other professionals familiar with the case. The Disability Determination Board considers the extent of an adult child's disability and whether it prevents that individual from being able to perform substantial work. Social Security evaluates how an adult child's disability affects her ability to perform a variety of daily functions on her own. Even if an adult child has a previous employment history, she may qualify for benefits if a disability prevents her from being gainfully employed. An adult child who receives benefits paid on a parent's earnings can also be presently employed as long as her earnings are not substantial. In 2010, a recipient could earn no more than $1,000 a month. If a parent never worked, a disabled adult child is ineligible to receive benefits payable on a parent's earnings record.
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