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When a disability prevents you from working, Social Security Disability Insurance can provide important financial support. Many families do not realize that these benefits can also help adults who have lived with a disabling condition since childhood. Understanding the connection between disabled adult children and SSDI can help you determine whether your loved one may qualify and what steps you can take next.
At Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, our respected SSDI attorneys help families navigate benefits for disabled adult children. We can explain the requirements and guide them through the application process with patience and care, no matter where you live in the country.
A Disabled Adult Child (DAC) claim is a type of Social Security Disability Insurance benefit for adults who developed a disability before turning 22. The name does not mean the person must still be a child, but instead refers to when the disability began.
This benefit is meant to provide financial support when an individual cannot work due to a qualifying medical condition. The Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews medical records to determine whether the condition prevents Substantial Gainful Activity. Your loved one must meet the same medical rules and disability standards that apply to all SSDI applicants.
To qualify as a DAC, the individual must also be unmarried, at least 18 years of age, and unable to support himself or herself through employment. The SSA uses the work history of a parent who already receives SSDI or has passed away to calculate the benefit amount.
Eligibility for a Disabled Adult Child claim depends on several key factors. As mentioned, the adult must have a disability that began before age 22 and must meet the SSA’s definition of disability. Conditions that may qualify include physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, neurological disorders, and serious mental health conditions.
To determine whether the adult child qualifies, the SSA looks at the person’s medical evidence, treatment history, and the way the condition limits daily functioning. A DAC benefits claim does not depend on how severe the condition was during childhood. What matters is how the disability affects work ability today. Because the benefit is tied to a parent’s work record, one of the following must apply:
The adult child does not need work credits, because the benefit uses the parent’s earnings history.
Disabled adult child claims through SSDI can involve a multi-stage process that can include technical questions, which sometimes makes the process feel overwhelming. In addition to current medical records, you may be asked to provide school records, early medical information, or evaluations from childhood. These documents help confirm when the disability began.
For an adult child, the evaluation uses the strict adult definition of disability, focusing on the ability to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA), not just the diagnosis itself. The family will need to show how the condition specifically limits work-related functions like concentration, memory, and physical ability.
Because SSDI cases take several months, it helps to keep your documents organized and respond quickly to any SSA requests. If the claim is denied, you can appeal and continue the process with stronger evidence.
SSDI can help your family understand what benefits your disabled adult child may receive and how to begin the application process. We can guide you through every step. We are proud to be the largest female-founded law firm in the country, helping people seek the support they need through Social Security Disability Insurance. If you have questions about a DAC claim, call us to schedule your free case evaluation.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
