There can be many reasons that persons in Ohio are unable to work and fully provide for themselves. If disabilities render people unable to work, one program available to offer assistance is the Social Security Disability Insurance, sometimes called either SSD or SSDI. When disabled people are over the age of 18 and their parents must still provide or monitor their care, the parents may have the ability to apply for SSDI benefits in order to assist with the care.
How vast is the need in Ohio?
The Social Security Administration’s data shows that 13.3 percent of the population aged 16 to 64 in Ohio is disabled. In Franklin County, a total of 12.3 percent of the population between the ages of 16 and 64 is considered to be disabled. These numbers illustrate the widespread nature of disabilities in Ohio. SSDI benefits for disabled adult children helps provide some of the necessities of life when children have disabilities.
How can parents obtain SSDI for adult children?
The SSDI program pays benefits to adults who have a disability that began before they became 22 years old. Social Security considers this SSDI benefit a “child’s” benefit because it is paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record. These benefits also are payable to an adult who received dependents benefits on a parent’s Social Security earnings record prior to age 18, if he or she is disabled at age 18.
A child can even get benefits if he or she is an adopted child or dependent stepchild. (In some cases, the child also could be eligible for benefits on the grandparents’ earnings). SSDI disabled adult “child” benefits continue as long as the individual remains disabled. The child does not need to have worked to get these benefits.
As with any claim for Social Security Disability, verification of a qualifying disability is required. The Social Security Administration maintains a list of standard impairments that qualify persons for benefits but many other medical conditions can still result in an award of benefits.
Other requirements that must be met in order for parents to claim benefits for their adult children include:
- Disabled children must be 18 years of age or older.
- Disabilities must begin before the children reach the age of 22.
- Disabled adult children are allowed to be married so long as their spouses have equally disabling conditions.
- One of the child’s parents must be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits or
- One of the child’s parents must have died and have worked long enough under Social Security.
Medical proof of any disabilities with proof of diagnoses and any treatment required is usually required as part of the Social Security Disability Insurance application process.
Professional assistance makes a difference
Any claim for Social Security Disability benefits can be complex. People in need of Social Security benefits can get valuable help by working with an attorney who understands the application process. Getting help from the beginning can help increase the rate of approval for benefits.
