It’s one thing to worry about obtaining Social Security Disability benefits for yourself if you’re single and disabled, but if you have a family to support, disability takes on a whole other meaning. Not only do you have to take care of yourself, but you have to care for your spouse and children, who need to be supported as well. Can your family obtain disability benefits? According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), “Certain members of your family may qualify for benefits based on your work.” These individuals include:
- Your husband or wife if they are at least 62-years-old.
- Your spouse, if they are caring for your child who is disabled or under the age of 16.
- Your unmarried son or daughter, and this includes a stepchild and under some circumstances, a grandchild, who is under the age of 18 or 19, if he or she is still in high school.
- Your single child who is 18 or older, but was diagnosed with a disability before the age of 22. Your son or daughter must meet the SSA’s definition of a disabled adult.
Note: If you are divorced, but you were married to your former spouse for 10 or more years, your former spouse may be entitled to Social Security benefits on your earning record. For your ex-husband or wife to qualify, they would have to be single, age 62 or older, and their benefit amount on their earning record would have to be less than yours. If your former spouse qualifies for benefits under your earning record, the amount your ex receives will not have an effect on the benefits you receive, or the benefits your current spouse may receive. To learn more about Social Security and divorce, click here. Are you considering applying for Social Security Disability? If so, you’ve probably heard that applying is a difficult process and if you make a mistake on your application, it can be denied. For legal assistance during the application process, contact our firm to meet with a Dallas Social Security Disability Attorney. We’re here to make applying for disability benefits as smooth as possible for you.
