I am 43 years old and have been receiving SSDI since I applied when I was 18. I have Cystic Fibrosis which is a genetic lung disease I was born with. I have struggled throughout the years trying to work on and off. However, not being able to keep jobs long due to the fact I have many 2 week hospitalizations throughout the year. Companies seem to frown upon employees who are often gone for 2 week intervals.
Despite all this, I got a Federal Pell Grant and am now enrolled to get my bachelors degree in BA. My hopes to get a work from home job that pays enough to get off SSDI.
However, I just learned about the DAC Benefit. My parents are both retired and I am wondering if I qualify for this benefit. And how would I apply if so? Thanks Larry

Hi,

You can apply for disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits by contacting Social Security and filing an application. In order to qualify, though, Social Security will need to establish that a) you've been disabled since before age 22, and b) that you haven't done any work since age 22 that they would classify as substantial gainful activity (SGA). Currently in 2018 the SGA guideline is earnings that average more than $1180 per month, but that amount was lower in previous years (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0410501015).

Whether or not a period of work activity is considered as SGA is a complicated matter that can involve a number of mitigating factors, so if you think there's any chance that you may qualify for DAC benefits you should probably go ahead and file for them in order to get a formal determination of your eligibility from Social Security .

Best, Jerry