SSD Family Benefits Lawyer
Social Security Disability Family Benefits
When an individual begins receiving Social Security disability payments, some family members may also be eligible for SSD benefits on their accord. Social Security disability payments may be made to:
- A spouse
- A divorced spouse∗
- A child
Every member of the family may qualify for a monthly benefit of as much as 50 percent of the individual's own monthly amount. However, there are limitations on the sum that can be given to family members by the Social Security Administration (SSA), depending on the applicant's employment and taxpaying history, as well as the number of family members who qualify. To validate any family members or spouses applying for benefits along with an applicant, the SSA will require various forms of proof, such as birth and marriage certificates.
∗Note: A divorced spouse's eligibility for SSD benefits will not influence payments you or your family are entitled to receive.
Qualification
To be eligible, an individual must have adequate employment and taxpaying history (referred to as "work credits") as documented by the SSA. And of course they must have a medical condition that prevents them from generating adequate income and that condition must meet the Social Security definition of a disability. If a person is working this year and has income of more than $1,000 a month, they typically are not eligible for SSD.
Definition of Disability
For the purposes of the Social Security program, a disability is defined by the following parameters:
- The applicant is unable to perform the work they did previously
- The SSA determines the applicant unable to work in other capacities due to their medical condition
- The applicant's condition is anticipated to continue for a one year minimum or to result in death
Benefits
Once an applicant begins receiving benefits, the payments typically continue until they are able to work again on a consistent term. For those individuals transitioning back to work from a disabling condition, there are numerous specific clauses (called "work incentives") in place that give continued monetary and health support during that period.
Social Security work credits are determined by an applicant's yearly documented income, and it's possible to earn up to four credits every year. The amount of income necessary for accumulating one credit changes each year. Currently in 2011, one credited is awarded for each $1,120 of wages or self-employment income, and once an individual has made $4,480, they have accumulated their allotted four credits for that particular year.
The amount of work credits you must have to qualify for SSD also depends on your age. Typically, a person needs 40 credits, 20 of which were received during the previous 10 years prior to the start of their disability. However, in some cases, it's possible for younger workers to be eligible with fewer credits.
Social Security Disability Lawyer
To ensure you and your family receive the proper benefits for your a disabling condition that has rendered you unable to work, contact the Social Security Disability attorneys at Page Law. Call (314) PAGE-LAW (724-3529) for a free consultation regarding your Social Security Disability family benefits claim today.
