What Are
Disabled Adult Child Benefits?

You or a Loved One Might Qualify for Financial Relief in Wisconsin

Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits are for adults who cannot work, and don’t have long work histories, due to health impairments they developed while young.

This monthly income provided by Social Security is a tremendous financial help and relief.

To be eligible, you’ll need a parent who worked and paid into Social Security. Your own work experience and marital status can also impact your DAC benefits claim.

It can be tough to figure out if you qualify or have all the documents you need to put in an application, but the Madison disability lawyers at Becker Law Office and Hawks Quindel can help.

We’ll make it easier to understand the requirements of this program and what you or your loved one needs to make your case to Social Security.

Since 1994, our disability attorneys have helped thousands of Wisconsinites win benefits and get on a path to greater stability.

Some law firms don’t help with the first step of applying for Disabled Adult Child benefits, but we assist with your claim from start to finish.

And there’s no attorney fee until you win benefits. 

Who Can Qualify for Disabled Adult Child Benefits?

Let’s take a look at the specific requirements of the Disabled Adult Child benefits program.

You need to show that:

• You’re at least 18 years old.
• You cannot currently work a substantial amount due to health problems.
• Your medical condition began before age 22.
• You haven’t done substantial work since before age 22.
• You are not married.
• You have a parent who worked and paid a qualifying amount into Social Security.
• Your parent is currently receiving disability or retirement benefits, or they are deceased.

You may wonder if your health condition itself will qualify for benefits.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes many types of physical, developmental and mental health conditions as potentially deserving of financial assistance.

Some impairments that can qualify for DAC benefits include:

• Anxiety
• Autism
• Bipolar disorder
• Cerebral palsy
• COPD
• Cystic fibrosis
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Hearing loss
• Intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Vision loss

Once you’ve successfully applied for disability benefits, monthly payments will be calculated based on your parent’s previous income. Social Security uses a formula to find their “primary insurance amount.”

Then you receive a portion of that amount—75% of the PIA if your qualifying parent is deceased and 50% of the PIA if your qualifying parent is alive.

This won’t affect your parent’s existing benefits.

(A note for parents: If you’re retired or receiving disability payments, and your child receives DAC benefits, it won’t affect how much you get each month, though it can affect the total benefits your family can receive.)

If you’re ready to see if you’re eligible for DAC benefits, start with a FREE case consultation.

What Do I Need for a Disabled Adult Child Benefits Claim?

The SSA doesn’t take people at their word when they need disability benefits.

You’ll need to back up your Disabled Adult Child benefits claim with hard evidence. This can take a lot of work. You may need to dig into medical records that stretch years back.

Include these kinds of items in your claim:

• Medical records from childhood into adulthood
• Information about recent treatments and how you’ve responded to them
• Recent results from medical tests
• Your doctor’s assessment of your everyday functioning
• School records, like IEPs and developmental assessments
• Evaluations from psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals
• Evidence that your parent worked and paid into Social Security
• Copies of the adult child’s and parent’s tax records
• If you’ve tried to hold a job, evidence of disruptions to your work and need for accommodations, like extra breaks

The more information you have for Social Security, the easier it will be to get your DAC benefits claim through the system. Our Wisconsin disability attorneys can help you build your case.

Do DAC Benefits Pay More Than SSI?

Even if you or your loved one already receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, applying for Disabled Adult Child benefits could be worthwhile.

SSI is a need-based program. It’s often a good fit for adults who have not worked much, if at all, because of an impairment developed in their childhood.

But monthly SSI payments can be lower than DAC benefits.

DAC benefits will probably pay more because they’re based on a parent’s work record, so they’re calculated more like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments for people who worked a significant amount.

In many cases, you can keep Medicaid coverage through SSI when you qualify for DAC benefits and are waiting for Medicare eligibility.

Let’s compare the two programs to give you a better idea of their requirements and benefits:

Navigating this can be tricky, but if you have any questions about how to maximize your benefits, a Wisconsin disability attorney from Becker Law Office can help.

Can a Madison Social Security Disability Lawyer Help Me Apply for DAC Benefits?

Applying for disability benefits is never easy, and trying to qualify for DAC benefits can be especially tricky.

You need significant evidence, stretching back years. You have to fill out multiple forms and make sure Social Security has all the medical records and other information it needs to make a decision.

After all that, you or your family member could be denied DAC benefits. This is stressful, but it’s easier with an experienced Wisconsin disability lawyer on your side.

Your lawyer can:

• Answer your questions about benefits eligibility
• Figure out which program will offer you the most in disability benefits
• Help you organize medical records, paperwork and other evidence
• Help you fill out SSA forms and avoid errors that can cause delays and denials
• Keep you updated about the progress of your claim
• Support your appeal if your initial application for DAC benefits is denied
• Represent you at a disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge
• File your appeal with the Social Security Appeals Council, if necessary

The Social Security Disability lawyers at Becker Law Office don’t treat you like just another case number.

We’re not a big national firm pushing through cases like an assembly line.

We take time to really understand your story and approach your case with the unique attention it deserves.

Don’t try to win Disabled Adult Child benefits on your own. Find out more about how our experienced Madison disability attorneys can help in a difficult time.

Schedule your FREE, no-obligation consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Disabled Adult Child Benefits in Wisconsin

Applying for disability benefits can be confusing. If you think you or a loved one may qualify for Disabled Adult Child benefits, you probably have questions.

Our Madison disability lawyers can answer them. Schedule a free consultation with our team to talk about your individual situation, and read on to find answers to some common questions about DAC benefits.

Who qualifies for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits?

DAC benefits are for unmarried people who are at least 18 years old and developed a debilitating health issue before the age of 22. You qualify for these benefits when one of your parents worked, paid into Social Security and currently receives benefits through Social Security themselves.

To qualify for Disabled Adult Child benefits, you also have to meet the normal requirements for Social Security Disability—being unable to work any job for 12 months or longer due to your health.

Can I qualify for DAC benefits if I’ve never worked?

You can qualify. Lacking a significant work history doesn’t rule out DAC benefits. You need to have a parent whose work background qualifies them for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security retirement. But DAC benefits are for people who never could work much themselves due to their health.

If you developed a health issue when you were young, you may have been unable to work a substantial amount at any point in your life.

How much will I receive in DAC benefits?

Your DAC benefits are calculated based on your parent’s record and income. You receive 50% of their primary insurance amount (PIA) if they are alive and 75% of their PIA if they have passed away.

Do DAC benefits come with medical coverage?

If you qualify for DAC benefits, you can enroll in Medicare after a 24-month waiting period from the date Social Security found you were first eligible for DAC benefits.

If you were receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and enrolled in Medicaid, you may be able to keep that coverage while you wait to be eligible for Medicare.

What’s the difference between Disabled Adult Child benefits and SSDI?

Disabled Adult Child benefits are related to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), but not the same. DAC benefits are a family benefit for people with qualifying SSDI or Social Security retirement records.

SSDI is for a worker who can’t work anymore due to health issues. DAC is for the child of that worker who has never been able to work much because of medical conditions and is now an adult.

Can I keep DAC benefits if I get married?

In most cases, no. DAC benefits are for unmarried adults who developed a disabling condition in their youth. There are scenarios where you can keep Disabled Adult Child benefits when getting married—if you marry someone who receives DAC, SSDI, retirement or some Social Security survivor benefits.

Talk to Becker Law Office to Learn More.