In the U.S., Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits are typically only available to qualifying adults with a work history. In order to qualify for these benefits, disabled adults must have worked and paid into the system. They must accrue a specific number of work credits to qualify. However, children whose parents are disabled, retired, or deceased may also be able to collect benefits.

In 2017 alone, the Social Security Administration paid an average of $2.6 billion each month to more than 4.2 million qualifying children. This money helps children complete high school and pays for food and shelter. When a parent becomes disabled or suddenly passes away, Social Security benefits can help keep the family afloat and provide a vital income for these children.

There are currently 8.4 million disabled workers receiving a monthly disability check in the United States, along with approximately 1.6 million spouses and children of disabled workers. While Social Security was initially created for retired workers, disability income was added to help those workers who are unable to continue to work and make a living. Each year, the monthly earning thresholds are (at least marginally) increased. The monthly earning thresholds allow a disabled person to earn up to a specific amount of money before disability payments cease. 

According to the Social Security government website, a representative payee is a person or organization who helps a person receiving monthly Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Social Security Disability to manage his or her financial affairs. The person or organization could be chosen by Social Security, or the person could have applied to SSA to be designated as representative payee. 

What Does a Disability Law Firm Do?

If you are disabled, you may be eligible to collect benefits through the Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. You may also qualify for Veteran’s Disability benefits if you are a wounded veteran. 

Is Your Disabled Adult Child Eligible for Government Benefits?

A disabled adult child (DAC) may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits.  If the child is disabled and one of his or her parents currently receives Social Security benefits, the child may be able to collect Social Security Disability benefits based on the parent’s earnings record. If the child is over the age of 18, he or she may qualify for benefits as a disabled adult child.

You may wonder whether you can legally collect Social Security Disability benefits at the same time you are receiving VA disability benefits. In fact, it is not all that uncommon for veterans to be receiving both Social Security Disability and Veteran’s disability benefits at the same time. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2017, nearly 4.2 million U.S. veterans lived with some level of disability. Of these, approximately 1.4 million have been given a VA disability rating of 70 percent or higher. This means their current disability prevents them from obtaining employment and earning a living, or even living “normally.”

If you are living with a disability in Virginia, you may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability and/or SSI benefits. These benefits can help struggling families make ends meet after a life-changing injury. Without these benefits, you may not be able to provide for your loved ones as you once did. 

Unfortunately for those who may desperately need disability benefits, the process for filing a disability claim with Social Security can be a lengthy process. Even more disheartening, during the initial application and reconsideration stages, many applicants will be denied.

If you are a federal employee that has suffered a disability, you may be eligible to collect benefits through the Federal Disability Retirement System (FERS). This retirement system offers long-term disability benefits to those federal employees that have a qualifying disability. However, this program has numerous requirements and is difficult to navigate without the help of an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer. One of those requirements is that applicants must apply for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI).

Disclaimer:

This story is based on a real case. The names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved. Information presented here is general in nature and should not be construed as formal legal advice or as the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Cases differ, and past performance does not guarantee future results.

Jonas had been working in construction around loud, banging heavy equipment all his life. He had taken all the safety precautions, used earplugs for example, so he was not ready to accept the audiologist’s diagnosis that he had severe hearing loss. His wife Shelley constantly complained that he watched TV with the volume turned up too loud and he found himself asking people to repeat themselves, but a diagnosis that could leave him without a job? Jonas shared his worries with his sister Margie who urged him to seek advice. She forwarded an email to him from Cervoni Disability Law, so he called for a free consultation.