It’s common knowledge that child gets a dependent’s beneficiary check in an SSDI disability claim if a parent is found to be disabled. A child also draws a benefit in the case of a deceased worker. But here is one other way children can be supported by Social Security.
An adult who disabled before age 22 may be eligible for child’s benefits if a parent starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We consider this a “child’s” benefit because it is paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record.
The “adult child”—including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild, grandchild, or step grandchild—must be unmarried, age 18 or older, and have a disability that started before age 22.
Example: A worker starts collecting Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. He has a 38-year old son who has had cerebral palsy since birth. The son will start collecting a disabled “child’s” benefit on his father’s Social Security record.