One of the lesser known Social Security disability benefit programs is the Disabled Adult Child benefits (DAC) program.
There are special rules to be eligible for DAC benefits, mainly that you must prove to Social Security that you became disabled prior to age 22 and have a parent who is collecting Social Security disability or retirement benefits, or have parent who is deceased.
Although Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on the disabled person’s earning record and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are based on financial need with a monthly income maximum of $711, DAC benefits are based on a parent’s earnings.
Because younger people who qualify for disability benefits usually have a limited earning history or no earnings at all, the DAC program can provide for larger monthly incomes for DAC recipients.
Remember, as is the case with any type of Social Security disability claim, SSDI or SSI, and individual should apply for disability benefits as early as possible. Social Security will pay under either the SSDI program or SSI until it is time to transfer the benefit to a DAC claim.
The idea of a DAC claim is that medical evidence must be available to prove that an adult child was disabled prior to age 22. This can be achieved through the collection of medical and school records.
In addition to your own Social Security number as a DAC claimant, you will also need to know the Social Security number of the parent you are applying for a DAC claim under. Make sure to file a DAC claim as soon as possible. If you wait, you might not get all the benefits you are entitled to, since Social Security looks at the date of the application when it processes payments. For more information click here.
JK
