5. Some family members could get benefits too
As you probably know, disability benefits aren’t just for Americans who can no longer work. In most cases, some family members of disabled workers can get SSDI benefits too. This includes:
- Your spouse, if they are at least 62 years old
- Your spouse at any age if they care for your child, who is under 16 or disabled
- Your child, who is under 18 (or under 19 if in high school)
- Your disabled child over 18, if their disability started before age 22
However, it comes with a trick: there’s a maximum amount of money that can be paid out on any one worker’s record. Including your own benefit, this ranges from 150% to 180% of that worker’s full Social Security retirement benefit amount and if the calculated disability benefits exceed the allowable maximum, your family members’ benefits can be proportionally minimized.
