Auxiliary & Dependent Children Benefits

When a disabled worker becomes eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, their minor children may also become eligible for a type of auxiliary benefit called dependent children benefits based on the disabled workers earnings record. Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration doesn’t always process auxiliary benefit applications when they should or fails to gather the proper information about a child and oftentimes a claimant loses benefits and money as a result.

If you are a disabled worker with children and need to apply for SSDI benefits or have recently been denied benefits, contact Attorney Rick Madore for a free no obligation review of your claim today.

What Are Dependent Children Benefits?

Social Security dependent children’s benefits are monthly benefits that are paid out in addition to a disabled workers monthly benefit for the care and welfare of their dependent children. To qualify for benefits, a child must meet the following requirements:

  • The child must be under the age of 18, or
  • The child must be between the ages of 18 and 19 and be a full-time student in secondary school;
  • The child must be unmarried;
  • The child must be financially dependent on the disabled parent.

Auxiliary benefit applications must be filed after the disabled worker has been approved for benefits. Unfortunately, auxiliary benefits are oftentimes overlooked by the Social Security Administration because applications are not automatically filed and processed when a disabled worker is approved for benefits, especially when a child was under the age of 18 during the retroactive payment period but is 18 or older at the time the disabled workers SSDI application was filed or was approved and processed for payment.

What are Survivor Benefits for Children?

Another type of auxiliary benefit that children are eligible for is called survivor benefits. When a child’s parent dies, the child can collect 75% of the deceased parent’s benefit. To be eligible for survivor benefits, the child must meet the following requirements:

  • The child must be under the age of 18, or
  • The child must be between the ages of 18 and 19 and be a full-time student in secondary school;
  • The child must be unmarried.

In some cases, grandchildren, stepchildren and step-grandchildren may also qualify for survivor benefits. Filing for dependent children and survivor benefits can be a difficult and confusing process. You do not have to go through the process alone, Attorney Rick Madore can guide you and get you the benefits you deserve. Contact our office for a free no obligation review of your claim today.