Am I Eligible for SSD Family Benefits?
Disability affects more people and families than most of us realize. Whether an individual is born with a disability or develops one later in adulthood, there are many physical, emotional, and financial challenges to overcome as a result. To help qualifying disabled individuals and their families, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides monthly payments to offset steep medical bills and ensure that day-to-day expenses aren't accumulating towards debt.
When a disabled individual is granted disability by SSA, some members of his or her family may also be eligible for benefits on the disabled person's record. While this opportunity can make a big difference in the financial balance of a family, applying for Social Security disability or filing a SSD appeals claim is an intricate and intimidating experience. Because SSA implements such strict deadlines and rules, not every request for benefits will be accepted and not every appeals claim will be in your favor. However, with the legal counsel and representation of a New York SSD lawyer with years of experience successfully handling such matters, you will be more familiar with your legal rights and options and that much closer to obtaining the benefits that you are entitled to.
What Family Members Qualify?
Once SSA begins to give you disability, it may be helpful to find out whether any members of your family may also be eligible on your record. SSD may be paid to the following members of your family:
- Spouse
- Divorced Spouse
- Children
- Disabled Child
- Adult Child Disabled before Age 22
When your qualified family members apply for SSD, SSA will request that their Social Security numbers and birth certificates be provided. Proof of marriage as well as dates of previous marriages may also be requested if your spouse is applying for Social Security.
How Much Can a Family Receive?
The maximum family amount determined by SSA is based on your benefit amount as a recipient of SSD and the number of family members who also qualify on your record. Although there is a limit to the amount SSA will pay your family, each qualifying member may be eligible for a monthly payment of up to 50 percent of your disability rate. In general, the total amount you and your family can receive from SSA is approximately 150 to 180 percent of your disability benefit. The main goal of SSA is to make sure that qualifying disabled individuals receive the rightful benefits they need. This is why if the total of the benefits payable on your account is greater than the family limit, the payments to the family members will be lowered equivalently so that you aren't negatively affected. As the disabled person receiving SSD benefits, if you have a divorced spouse who qualifies for benefits set by the standards of SSA, this won't influence the amount of benefits that you and your family may receive.
Attorneys at WRSMH Believe that Your Family Counts
One person's disability has the power to affect the lives of many others, especially close relatives. The financial well-being of a family significantly impacts its emotional and physical welfare. It's this notion that pushes SSA to provide disabled individuals who can't work with benefits so that they can live a fulfilling life, receive the medical care and treatment they need, and support their families. Even though obtaining SSD is not an easy process, an experienced SSD attorney in New York at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP can make it as stress-free as possible. To learn more about your legal rights and options, please contact our law firm at (212) 986-7353 today.