Ask Larry

Is It True That I Can Never Collect Benefits Off Either Of My Parents' Records?

I am a adult age 36 on SSI perment disability, since 2009 age (27) . I want to know if I can collect on my father's retirement ,he is still alive at age 66 but retired now . SSI said because I was 27 years old when I got my SSI benefits approved that I could never collect off either of my alive parents retirement. Is this true ? I can not collect never?

Hi,

You couldn't collect benefits on a parent's Social Security record now or in the future unless you became disabled prior to turning age 22. The fact that you didn't become entitled to SSI (Supplemental Security Income) disability benefits until age 27 wouldn't automatically bar you from becoming entitled to disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits on a parent's record, but in order to qualify you would need to prove that your condition(s) has been continuously disabling since before you reached age 22.

If you believe that your disability began before age 22, you could insist on filing a claim for DAC benefits in order to get a formal determination from Social Security regarding your eligibility. That would also give you appeal rights if you disagree with their determination (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10041.pdf).

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Aug 9 2018 - 9:55am
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