In order to qualify for a Disabled Adult Child (DAC) claim, you must to have had your disability onset prior to the age of 22 and you must have a parent who is either: deceased and had worked long enough under SSA’s rules, collecting Social Security Retirement, or Disability benefits.
SSA will use the same medical requirements to determine disability as with other types of claims like Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income. If you meet the requirements for a DAC claim you will be paid benefits through your parents earnings record.
The recipients of DAC benefits must be at least 18 years old, unmarried and working under what Social Security considers Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). Currently SGA is $1040 gross income per month. If your earned income is above this amount you will be ineligible for all SSA disability benefits.
You may want to look into your eligibility for a DAC claim even if you are already receiving disability benefits through another type of Social Security program. If you are receiving Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income the benefits payable to you under your parent’s record may be higher than what you are currently receiving.
Further, if you are found eligible for the DAC benefits you will also be eligible for Medicare.
For more information on DAC benefits, check out the SSA’s webpage “Eligibility requirements for a disabled adult child’s benefit.”
