Social security benefits keep the family finances steady when the earning members such as parents become disabled or die. The benefits are paid to both adults and children. 4.4 million children receive monthly benefits every year because one or both of their parents are deceased, disabled or retired. Disabled children also receive SSDI and SSI benefits that are a great support when it comes to meeting their daily needs.
Surviving children can receive up to 75% of what the deceased parent or the parent with the higher benefit would collect as retirement benefit. However, if there are many children, they may not each be eligible to collect the 75% amount since there is a family cap.
Children must be under the age of 18 or as old as 19 if they are still attending secondary school full time. Both natural children of the deceased parent and adopted/dependent step children are eligible. To receive children’s benefits under the SSDI program, the applicant must be the child of a parent eligible to receive benefits and should meet Social Security’s strict definition of disability. He/she should have a mental or physical condition or a combination of disabling conditions that seriously limits his/her daily activities and is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. Benefits under the SSI program is paid to blind or disabled children living in households with limited resources and low income provided they meet SS’s strict definition of disability. A social security disability lawyer can help applicants determine whether they qualify for the benefits.
2015 is the year that marks the 25th anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) of 1990. This Act makes sure that people with disabilities enjoy equal opportunity and equal treatment in workplaces, at school, and in commercial facilities. It ensures that people with disabilities receive the services due to them from state and local government agencies, and requires government agencies to communicate with them in a way that suits their needs.
