When can you get auxiliary benefits under SSDI for family members?

Certain family members can get auxiliary disability benefits when you get SSDI, such as your spouse or children. This is because it is assumed that your dependents are impacted by your disability. To qualify for disability benefits, your spouse has to be over age 62, and should also be one of the caregivers of any children you have who are under age 16. If you have dependent children who are under age 18 and not married, they may be allowed to get auxiliary disability benefits. Children who are 18 or 19 but in school full time may also be able to get benefits.

Your family does not have to live with you to get auxiliary disability benefits. In fact, as long as you were married for at least 10 years, your spouse can still get auxiliary disability benefits after divorcing you, as long as they are not remarried and are not eligible for their own benefits. Note that both adopted children and those who do not live with you anymore, but for whom you pay child support, are also usually eligible for disability benefits. If your child is declared disabled before reaching age 22, they are referred to as dependent, which means that they may still get auxiliary disability benefits after age 18.If you currently get SSDI but your family was not offered any benefits, you should learn the requirements and contact your local SSA office to find out why. Note that the amount each one gets should be up to half of your amount.