CAN A DISABLED YOUNG ADULT RECEIVE RRB DISABILITY BENEFITS THROUGH A PARENT’S RRB DISABILITY ACCOUNT: RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD CASES: ADULT CHILD DISABILITY BENEFITS?

If a railroader has children that are disabled, these children may be covered by the RRB if disabled. For Example, if a person who is under the age of 18 is disabled, that person would normally be entitled to SSI or Supplemental Security Income benefits. However, when that person turns 18 and is disabled, such a person may be entitled to Social Security Adult Child Disability Benefits if found disabled prior to the age of 22 under a parent’s SSA account for so long as the disabled young adult remains unmarried. However, if that disabled young person had a parent who was entitled to RRB disability benefit, by either age, disability, death or retirement, that younger individual age 18-22 may be entitled to RRD disability benefits if that person is determined to be disabled prior to the age of 22. Having a parent who is eligible for RRB benefits allows the child to obtain RRB benefits as the SSA benefits may not apply and the adult child may not be eligible for benefits otherwise.