This Quick Guide describes the different disability benefits that minor children may have access to when they, or a parent, is diagnosed with cancer. For more information about the different types of disability insurance available to adults, read our Quick Guide to Disability Insurance: TriageCancer.org/QuickGuide-DisabilityInsurance.
SSI is a federal program run by the Social Security Administration. It provides monthly cash payments to help meet the basic needs of children with a disability.
To qualify for SSI benefits from the SSA, a child must:
A child can receive SSI benefits until they turn 18 years old. Once they turn 18, the SSA will review a child’s condition and will use the adult disability rules to decide whether they are still eligible for SSI benefits.
The SSA considers the income and resources of family members living in a child’s household, including stepparents and adoptive parents, when deciding if a child is eligible for SSI benefits. Also, if the child is working, they cannot earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024). For details about eligibility for SSI for children: ssa.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm.
If you are an adult receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, your family members may be able to receive benefits based on your work history, including your:
Based on a formula, each family member could receive a monthly benefit up to 50% of your disability benefit amount. But that amount is capped for the family. Typically, the total amount you and your family can get is around 150 to 180% of your disability benefit.
Note: a divorced spouse’s benefits are not included in your family maximum.
For your child to receive benefits, the child must be unmarried. Usually, children will stop getting family benefits when they turn 18, unless they have a disability. But if your child is still in school full-time at a secondary or elementary school at the age of 18, benefits will continue until they finish school or for up to 2 months after turning 19 years old, whichever comes first.
For more information on family benefits: www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/family.html.
An adult who has a disability that began before age 22, also known as a Disabled Adult Child (DAC), may be eligible to receive SSDI benefits. The SSA considers this to be a “child’s” benefit, because it is paid based on a parent’s Social Security retirement earnings record. Because of this, it is not necessary for the DAC to have ever worked.
To qualify for this benefit, you must:
To meet the SSA’s definition of disability for adults, you must have a medical condition(s) that has, or is expected to, last for at least one year or to result in death. Also, if the child is working, they cannot earn more than $1,550 per month (in 2024).
Usually, this type of SSDI benefit ends if you get married, with limited exceptions like marrying another DAC recipient.
For more information on SSDI benefits for a DAC: www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html#anchor7.
Medicaid provides health insurance coverage for low-income individuals. In most states, children receiving SSI benefits are eligible for Medicaid. Even if your child does not automatically qualify for SSI benefits, they still may be eligible for Medicaid under other state rules. For more information about Medicaid: TriageCancer.org/Medicaid.
CHIP offers Medicaid health insurance coverage for children in families with income too high for Medicaid. To be eligible for CHIP, a child must be under 19, uninsured (not eligible for Medicaid or covered by another health plan), meet immigration requirements, and meet a state’s income rules. For more information: www.insurekidsnow.gov or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW.
For more information about health insurance options: TriageCancer.org/HealthInsurance.
If your child is under age 16 and is eligible for SSI, the SSA will refer the child to state children’s agencies for social, developmental, educational, and medical services. These state agencies may be able to help your child, even if your child is not eligible for SSI.
For more information about Disability Insurance:
Last update: 3/2024
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