I was on SSI 18-28. My dad retired in 2020 and I was switched to his retirement benefits. I was fortunate enough to never have any issues until the switch.

Was it really legally required for me to apply for these benefits? Even if I live on my own? Would it matter if we were estranged? And does retirement child benefits carry the same guidelines as SSI? Is there the same $2k asset limit? Or can I finally keep my meager savings in my bank account? (I have savings bonds given to me when I was an infant so I’ve always been close to the limit)

Thank you

Hi. No, but if you had refused to apply for disabled adult child (DAC) benefits then your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits would have been terminated. SSI is needs based, and one of the requirements for SSI eligibility is that an SSI recipient must apply for any other benefits for which they are eligible. So, when you became eligible for DAC benefits, if you had chosen not to apply for those benefits then Social Security would have terminated your SSI payments.

The eligibility requirements for DAC benefits are totally different than those for SSI. Social Security DAC benefits are not needs based, so their is no limit on the amount of assets you can have and still qualify for DAC benefits. Therefore, assuming that you no longer receive SSI payments, then the value of any funds you have in the bank is irrelevant. Also, the only type of income that can affect a person's DAC benefits is earned income (i.e. wages or self-employment earnings).

Best, Jerry