Dependents and SSDI Benefits — the Basics

Experienced Social Security Disability Lawyer in Tampa, FL

If you are currently suffering from a disability and attempting to secure Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits, then you may be a bit confused with respect to where your dependents “fit” into the whole process.  After all, it is reasonable to expect that a claimant supporting two children and a spouse needs additional benefits as compared to a SSDI claimant who is single and has no children.

Would you like to speak with an experienced Tampa social security disability lawyer about your claims?  Contact our team here at the Law Offices of Mike Murburg, P.A. to learn more.

Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) accounts for dependents and has created certain allowances.

Let’s take a closer look.

Can Dependents Obtain SSDI Benefits?

Dependents are entitled to SSDI benefits (assuming that the disabled claimant is qualified to receive such benefits).  Each dependent may be eligible for up to 50 percent of the benefit owed to the disabled claimant on whom they rely.

It’s worth noting, however, that as a group, the depends of an individual disabled claimant may not recover more than 180 percent of the benefit owed to that claimant.  For example, suppose that you have three minor children and a spouse, and all four of them are dependents.  If you receive a monthly SSDI benefit, of $1,000, then your dependents — as a group — may receive up to $1,800 in monthly benefits.  This would entitle your family to a total monthly SSDI benefit of $2,800.

Which Dependents Are Entitled to Benefits?

Not all dependents necessarily quality for supplementary SSDI benefits.  Qualified dependents include, but is not limited to:

• Minor children of the disabled individual (e.g. below the age of 18)
  • Spouse who actively cares for a child below the age of 16
  • Spouse who is over 62 years old

In some cases, there may be applicable extensions and exceptions for which your family is qualified — you will have to submit a request with the SSA.  For example, minor children who have been afflicted with a disability before the age of 18 may be qualified to receive dependent benefits until the age of 22.

Contact the Law Offices of Mike Murburg, P.A. for Assistance

Whether you are planning on submitting your initial application for SSDI benefits or have already submitted an application and received a denial from the SSA, we encourage you to contact the Law Offices of Mike Murburg, P.A. for assistance.

Attorney Mike Murburg has decades of experience working with a wide range of SSDI claimants, from those who were suddenly disabled in an accident, to those who have been battling long-term illnesses.  Attorney Murburg is committed to comprehensive, end-to-end representation — he works with SSDI claimants at every stage of the process and invests significant resources towards the resolution of their benefits dispute.

We are a client centric firm — not a “volume” firm.  It’s important to us that every client is given time and attention.

If you’d like to connect to a Tampa Social Security disability lawyer at our firm, call us at 813-264-5363 or complete an online intake form through our website to schedule a free and confidential consultation.