How to Apply for Social Security Disability Family Benefits for Adopted Family Members
Any dependent child you are legally responsible for may qualify for disability benefits on your Social Security record. If you have paid at least 40 quarters (or 10 years), your adopted child may qualify for benefits if he or she is under age 18 and you are disabled, or if your adult child was disabled before age 22. If you're too young for Social Security benefits yourself, you also may qualify for Social Security Income benefits on a severely disabled child under age 18, if you meet the income restrictions.
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Things You'll Need
- Telephone
- Computer with Internet connection
- Birth certificates
- Social Security numbers
- Medical records
- W-2 and/or federal income tax forms
- Adoption records
Instructions
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How to Apply
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Apply for Social Security benefits by calling 1-800-772-1213, by going online at www.ssa.gov or visiting your local U.S. Social Security Administration office.
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Document your disability and provide information about adopted children. If you are disabled, you can receive additional benefits for each of your children under age 18 or until age 19 if they are enrolled and have yet to graduate from grade school. Be prepared to provide your own and your child's Social Security numbers, birth certificates, proof of U.S. citizenship and your last W-2 or federal income tax forms for your child's benefits.
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If you are applying for benefits for your child's disability -- regardless of your child's age, you also will need to provide proof of your child's disability. Be prepared to submit records from doctors, hospitals, clinics, therapists and caseworkers who have treated your child and the names and contact information of these medical providers who can support your claim.
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For an adopted child, you also may be asked to provide adoption records, such as court declarations of custody and a U.S. Department of Homeland Security immigration document if your child was adopted from another country.
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Tips & Warnings
If you receive benefits for your disabled child under age 18, you also will have to reapply to receive benefits for the child as an adult.
Disability applications take three to five months to process, so be prepared to wait.
A denial for a legitimate disability claims is relatively common. Be prepared to appeal.
