If a child is a dependent receiving SSDI benefits per a parent's disability can he work part time without the child's monthly benefits being affected?

Answer 1

Many parents ask whether their children are able to work at a part time job if the child is receiving SSDI benefits based on the parent's disability.

To answer this question, it is important to first provide the framework about how a child first qualifies for dependent SSDI benefits.

First, a child does not have to be disabled to receive these benefits. Only the parent must be disabled and also entitled to receive SSA benefits. The child must be under 18 or can be 19 and receive benefits if still enrolled in high school. The child can be biological, adopted or a stepchild.

A child's SSDI benefit is based on the parent's lifetime earnings history. A child can receive up to half of the parent's monthly benefit. There is a family maximum though, for cases where multiple dependents are receiving benefit based on one disabled parent. For example, if you have three biological children and two stepchildren, and they are all dependent on the disabled parent, SSA uses a formula to determine maximum family benefit (MFB). Many factors go into the calculation, but in general, the parent's benefit amount is never reduced. Benefits that each of the children are receiving will be reduced proportionately if they exceed the MFA.

The child must also be financially dependent on the disabled parent. But what does that mean? Basically, a child can work but must not earn a substantial amount of money. The SSA defines "substantial" as earning more than $1,130 per month, so as long as the child's earnings fall under that amount, he or she can have a job. Child ownership of stocks or property may be considered as income by the SSA, so it is best to make a list of all child earnings.

In some cases, a child can be eligible for benefits from their grandparents. The SSA also has Survivor benefits for children in cases where a parent has died, but did work long enough to pay SSA taxes. Survivor benefits can pay up to 75 percent of the parent's monthly benefit.

For children of very low income parents, the SSA has a different program they may qualify for. It's called Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and is designed to help low income, elderly and disabled people. SSI is a basic needs program providing money for food, clothing and shelter. Get more information on Social Security Disability benefits @ linerlegal.com/social-security-disability or you can download free SSD ebook and case review.

Over 4 million American children receive SSDI benefits totaling $2.6 billion annually. The goal of this program is to provide money to the families to help the children graduate from high school. Stabilizing the family income during those years helps tremendously in achieving that goal.

Answer 2

Social Security