Disability Benefits for Dependents
Can Dependents of Social Security Disability Recipients Also Get Benefits in Michigan?
Children, Spouses, Grandchildren and Others Could Qualify for Benefits
When your physical or mental condition stopped you from working, Social Security Disability benefits helped you get back on more stable financial footing.
What about the people who depend on you? When you’re unable to bring in a paycheck like before, could they use additional financial help?
If you have family members who are partially or wholly dependent on you, they might be eligible to receive benefits based on your Social Security work record.
But figuring out which dependents are eligible, what the rules and requirements are for each, and how to apply for benefits is a daunting task.
An experienced disability lawyer can explain your options—and help your family reach a better situation.
Levine Benjamin Law Firm disability attorneys have helped more than 80,000 people win benefits from Toledo to Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids and all across Michigan.
From applying to appealing, we help you every step of the way.
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Disability Benefits for Your Children or Spouse
Your biological child, adopted child, or stepchild may be eligible for benefits because of your credits under Social Security.
A dependent grandchild may also qualify.
To receive benefits, the child must be unmarried and either under 18 or 18-19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12).
If your child is now an adult with a disability that began before age 22, they also might be eligible for benefits.
Benefits also are payable to your spouse who is age 62 years or older—unless they collect a higher Social Security benefit based on their own earnings history.
Benefits are payable to your spouse at any age if they’re caring for your child who is under age 16 or your child who had a disability before age 22 and is entitled to benefits.
Your ex-spouse might also qualify if you were married for at least 10 years, you are divorced (even if you have since remarried), and your ex-spouse is:
- 62 or older
- Not married
- Not eligible for an equal or higher amount under their own Social Security benefits
- Not on someone else’s Social Security benefits
You can talk with the Michigan Social Security Disability lawyers at Levine Benjamin to understand how benefits for family members work, and what may be available in financial relief for you and your loved ones.
You pay no fee for a disability attorney until you win benefits. And it costs nothing to have an initial conversation with us.
Disability Benefits Are Available for Widows and Widowers
If your late husband or wife qualified for Social Security Disability benefits, you may be able to receive a percentage of their benefits.
This is how you know if you could be eligible:
- If you’re age 60 to full retirement age, you can receive 71.5 percent to 99 percent of your spouse’s disability benefits.
- If you’re at or beyond full retirement age, you can receive 100 percent of your spouse’s disability benefits.
- If you’re caring for your spouse’s child, and the child is either under 16 or over 16 and has a disability, you can receive 75 percent of your spouse’s benefits.
- If you have a qualifying disability yourself, and you’re between the ages of 50 and 59, you can receive 71.5 percent of your spouse’s disability benefit.
Contacting a Social Security Disability attorney can make a major difference for your claim and securing benefits for your dependents.
Social Security has a separate legal system for disability benefits with thousands of rules and its own courts and judges . An attorney who knows that system can navigate it for you.
Levine Benjamin Law Firm has been helping people in Michigan and Ohio get through this process since 1964.
Don’t pass up financial assistance that could make your life easier.