If you have a disabled child, you may be wondering if they are eligible for Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Each program has its own eligibility requirements, and it is important to understand how these requirements may affect your child's ability to receive disability benefits.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program that provides financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a severe physical or mental impairment. To be eligible for SSDI, an individual must have a certain number of work credits, which are earned through employment or self-employment. The number of work credits needed to qualify for SSDI depends on the individual's age when they became disabled.

If your child is under the age of 18, they may not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. However, your child may still be able to receive disability benefits based on your work record, if you are receiving SSDI benefits or are fully insured for SSDI. In this case, your child may be eligible to receive auxiliary benefits based on your work record.

To be eligible for auxiliary benefits, your child must be unmarried and must meet one of the following criteria:

Your child is under the age of 18 and has a disability that began before the age of 22.
Your child is 18 or older and has a disability that began before the age of 22 and is severe enough to prevent them from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA is defined as earning more than a certain amount each month, which is subject to change each year.
It is important to note that if your child is receiving auxiliary benefits based on your work record, their own disability will not be evaluated by the SSA. This means that they will not be eligible for SSDI benefits based on their own work record, even if they later become fully insured for SSDI.

If your child does not meet the eligibility requirements for auxiliary benefits based on your work record, they may still be able to receive disability benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI is a program that provides financial assistance to individuals who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have low income and limited resources. SSI is not based on work credits, but rather on income and resources.

To be eligible for SSI, your child must meet certain income and resource limits set by the SSA. These limits are subject to change each year, so it is a good idea to check the current limits before applying for SSI. If your child is receiving SSI, they may also be eligible for Medicaid, which is a program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals. Medicaid eligibility is based on income and resources, and it is not dependent on work credits.

It is important to note that if your child is receiving SSI, their eligibility for other government benefits, such as housing assistance or food stamps, may be affected. It is a good idea to speak with a representative from the SSA or a qualified attorney to understand how your child's SSI benefits may affect their eligibility for other government benefits.

Overall, if your child is disabled and unable to work, there may be several options available for them to receive disability benefits, even if they do not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. It is a good idea to speak with a representative from the SSA or a qualified attorney to understand the eligibility requirements for each disability program and how they may apply to your child's specific situation.