A debilitating injury compromises the ability to earn a living. That’s why many people rely on social security disability benefits to supplement income. If family members depend on you for financial support, your injury could also affect their livelihood. The Social Security Administration takes this into account, which is why dependents can receive assistance, too. To ensure loved ones are cared for, here is a brief introduction to who qualifies for benefits and for how long.

Which Relatives Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?

The payments from the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Program are meant to supplement some of the income lost from not working. Once you start receiving social security disability insurance benefits, certain relatives become eligible for monthly auxiliary benefits.

These dependents include aging parents, minor children, adult kids with disabilities, spouses nearing retirement, those who care for minors, and young adults who have kids with or without disabilities. Dependents receive a monthly payment that is 50 to 100 percent of the monthly disability you receive.

When Do Dependents Lose Eligibility?

Family members will no longer receive benefits when they aren’t considered dependents. For example, children lose eligibility when they get married or turn 18. Children 18 and 19 can still receive benefits if they are full-time high school students, but this will end once they graduate or two months after turning 19.

In the case of adult children with disabilities, they don’t qualify if the impairment occurred after the age of 22. When caring for a child, a spouse will no longer receive benefits when the minor turns 16. The child, however, will still be eligible for payouts from social security disability.

For more insight into the social security disability process and how it affects your family, contact C. Roland Krueger Attorney and Counselor at Law in Lexington, NC. A member of the North Carolina Bar Association and serving residents throughout Davidson, Gilford, Forsythe, Davie, Rowan, and Randolph counties, the counselor works to ensure clients can sustain their livelihoods after serious injuries. He also handles bankruptcy matters for debt relief. Visit the social security disability attorney online to see how he can help, call (336) 248-8464 for a consultation, and review your experience on Facebook.