Who can receive benefits on someone else's SSDI record
If someone in your family receives Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), certain family members may be able to receive their own monthly payments based on that person's work record. You do not need your own work history to may have access to. The person receiving SSDI is called the "primary beneficiary," and family members who receive payments are called "dependents."
The family members who can receive dependent benefits are a current spouse, a former spouse (in some cases), children under 19 (or up to 22 if in high school full-time), and adult children who became disabled before age 22 and remain disabled. Each dependent receives their own separate monthly payment from Social Security.
The amount each dependent receives is a percentage of what the primary beneficiary receives. Social Security calculates this based on a formula, and the total paid to the whole family has a limit called the "family maximum." This means if many family members are receiving benefits, each person's individual payment may be smaller than it would be otherwise.
Key Takeaways
- A spouse, ex-spouse, children, and adult children disabled before age 22 can receive monthly payments based on someone else's SSDI record without having worked themselves.
- Each dependent's payment is a percentage of the primary beneficiary's amount, and the total family payment cannot exceed a limit set by Social Security.
- Dependent children must be under 19, or under 22 if attending high school full-time, to receive payments based on age alone.
- You must contact Social Security directly to report family members and request that they be added to the SSDI record; payments do not happen automatically.
Spouses and ex-spouses who can receive benefits
A current spouse of any age can receive dependent benefits if they are caring for a child under 16 who is also receiving benefits on the same SSDI record. If the spouse is not caring for a child, they must be at least 62 years old to receive payments.
An ex-spouse can also receive benefits in some situations. The marriage must have lasted at least 10 years, and the ex-spouse must be at least 62 years old. The ex-spouse does not need permission from the primary beneficiary to claim, and receiving benefits does not reduce the primary beneficiary's own payment.
If an ex-spouse remarries, they lose the right to receive benefits on the primary beneficiary's record. If they later divorce again, they may regain that right if they meet the other requirements.
Children who can receive dependent benefits
Biological children, stepchildren, and adopted children can all receive dependent benefits. A child must be under 19 years old, or under 22 if enrolled full-time in high school. Once a child turns 19 (or 22 if still in high school), payments stop automatically.
A child who becomes disabled before turning 22 can continue to receive benefits for as long as the disability lasts, even after reaching adulthood. Social Security will conduct periodic reviews to confirm the disability continues. The definition of disability for children is different from the definition for adults, and the child does not need to have worked to may have access to.
If a child is in foster care or living with someone other than the primary beneficiary, they can still receive dependent benefits. The payment goes to the child or to a representative payee (usually a parent or guardian) depending on the child's age and circumstances.
How much dependent family members receive
Social Security pays each dependent a percentage of the primary beneficiary's full benefit amount. A spouse typically receives up to 50 percent, and each child typically receives up to 75 percent. An adult child disabled before age 22 receives up to 75 percent.
However, the total amount paid to all family members combined cannot exceed the family maximum, which is usually between 150 and 180 percent of the primary beneficiary's benefit. If the family maximum is reached, Social Security reduces each dependent's payment proportionally so the total does not exceed the limit.
The actual payment amount depends on the primary beneficiary's benefit amount, how many dependents are receiving benefits, and when each dependent started receiving payments. Social Security will provide a specific payment amount for each family member when they are added to the record.
How to report family members and request dependent benefits
The primary beneficiary or a family member must contact Social Security to report dependents. This does not happen automatically. You can reach Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local Social Security office, or creating an account on Social Security's website at ssa.gov.
When you contact Social Security, have the following information ready: the primary beneficiary's Social Security number, the dependent's full name and date of birth, proof of the relationship (such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate), and the dependent's Social Security number if they have one. If the dependent does not have a Social Security number, Social Security can help you obtain one.
Social Security will review the information and determine whether the dependent meets the requirements. If approved, the dependent's payments usually begin the month after Social Security receives the request, though in some cases payments can be backdated to an earlier month.
What happens to dependent benefits when circumstances change
Dependent benefits stop when certain events occur. A child's benefits end when they turn 19, or 22 if still in high school full-time. If a child drops out of high school, benefits stop at age 19 even if they later return to school. A spouse's benefits end if they divorce the primary beneficiary or if the primary beneficiary passes away (though they may then receive survivor benefits instead).
If a dependent's circumstances change—such as a child graduating from high school early, a spouse returning to work, or a disabled adult child's condition improving—you must report the change to Social Security. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that Social Security may ask you to repay.
If the primary beneficiary's SSDI benefits end (for example, if their medical condition improves and they are no longer considered disabled), dependent benefits also end. Social Security will notify all family members if this occurs.
Dependent benefits and work earnings
Dependent family members can work and still receive benefits, but there are limits. If a dependent under full retirement age earns more than a certain amount per month, Social Security reduces their benefit by $1 for every $2 earned above that limit. The earnings limit changes each year; Social Security publishes the current limit on its website.
A dependent who reaches full retirement age has no earnings limit and can work as much as they want without losing benefits. The full retirement age varies depending on the dependent's birth year, but it is typically between 66 and 67 for spouses.
Unearned income, such as money from investments or gifts, does not affect dependent benefits. Only wages from work count toward the earnings limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dependent benefits reduce the primary beneficiary's payment?
No. The primary beneficiary receives their full SSDI payment regardless of how many family members receive dependent benefits. However, the total paid to all family members combined cannot exceed the family maximum, so each dependent's individual payment may be smaller if many family members are receiving benefits.
Can a dependent receive benefits on more than one person's record?
In rare situations, yes. For example, a child whose parents are both disabled or retired may be able to receive benefits on both records. Social Security will pay the larger of the two amounts, not both. Contact Social Security to discuss your specific situation.
What if the primary beneficiary passes away?
Dependent benefits end, but family members may become may be able to access for survivor benefits instead. Survivor benefits work differently and have different rules. Contact Social Security when ready if the primary beneficiary dies so the agency can explain what benefits the family may receive.
Can a dependent be added to the record years after the primary beneficiary started receiving SSDI?
Yes. There is no time limit for adding dependents to an SSDI record. However, payments typically begin only from the month Social Security receives the request, not from earlier months when the dependent first became may be able to access. In some cases, Social Security may backdate payments, so it is worth asking.
What documents do I need to prove a dependent's relationship to the primary beneficiary?
For a spouse or ex-spouse, bring a marriage certificate. For a child, bring a birth certificate or adoption papers. For a stepchild, bring both the child's birth certificate and proof of the marriage between the primary beneficiary and the stepchild's parent. Social Security will tell you if additional documents are needed.