If you receive SSDI, your family members may also qualify for benefits on your record. These "auxiliary benefits" can add significant income to your household.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What auxiliary benefits are
- Who qualifies
- How much family members receive
- How to apply for family benefits
1. What Auxiliary Benefits Are
The basics:
- Monthly payments to family members
- Based on your SSDI record
- While you're alive and receiving SSDI
- In addition to your own benefit
How they work:
- You receive SSDI
- Certain family members qualify
- They receive a percentage of your benefit
- Subject to family maximum
Why they exist:
- Recognizes family depends on your earnings
- Provides additional support
- Part of Social Security's family protection
- Similar to survivor benefits, but while you're alive
2. Who Qualifies
Spouse:
- Age 62+ (reduced benefit)
- Any age if caring for your child under 16
- Or caring for your disabled child
- Must be legally married
Ex-spouse:
- Marriage lasted 10+ years
- Age 62+
- Currently unmarried
- You must be entitled to SSDI
Children:
- Biological children
- Adopted children
- Stepchildren (in some cases)
- Dependent grandchildren (in some cases)
Child eligibility requirements:
- Unmarried
- Under 18 (or under 19 if full-time student)
- OR disabled before age 22
- Dependent on you
Important: Children disabled before 22 can receive benefits indefinitely, even as adults.
3. How Much Family Members Receive
Basic percentages:
- Spouse (full retirement age): 50% of your benefit
- Spouse (caring for child): 50% of your benefit
- Child: 50% of your benefit
- Spouse (age 62): Reduced amount
Family maximum:
- Total family benefits capped
- Usually 150-180% of your benefit amount
- Your benefit isn't reduced
- Family members' amounts may be
Example:
- Your SSDI: $2,000/month
- Family maximum: $3,500
- Spouse benefit: $1,000 (50%)
- Child benefit: $1,000 (50%)
- Total before max: $4,000
- Adjusted: Family members share $1,500
With multiple children:
- Each child eligible for 50%
- But family maximum limits total
- Benefits reduced proportionally
- Still significant addition
4. How to Apply for Family Benefits
When to apply:
- When you apply for SSDI (if family members already qualify)
- When life changes (marriage, birth of child)
- When child reaches eligible age
- When spouse reaches eligible age
Where to apply:
- Contact SSA: 1-800-772-1213
- Visit local Social Security office
- Can sometimes add during your SSDI application
- Call to report family changes
What you'll need:
- Your Social Security number
- Family member's Social Security number
- Birth certificate (for child)
- Marriage certificate (for spouse)
- Proof of relationship
The process:
- Contact SSA
- Report family members
- Provide documentation
- SSA determines eligibility
- Benefits begin
Special Situations
Adult disabled children:
- Disability began before age 22
- Can receive benefits at any age
- 50% of your benefit
- Continues for life if disabled
Spouse caring for disabled child:
- No age requirement for spouse
- Child must be under 16 OR disabled
- 50% of your benefit
- Until child turns 16 (unless disabled)
Working family members:
- Earnings limit may apply
- Under FRA: Benefits reduced if over limit
- At FRA: No reduction
- Different rules than your SSDI
Divorce:
- Ex-spouse may qualify if married 10+ years
- Doesn't reduce your benefit
- Doesn't reduce current spouse's benefit
- Multiple ex-spouses can receive
Impact on Your Household
Additional income:
- Can significantly increase family resources
- Especially with multiple children
- Helps support family needs
- Part of your Social Security protection
No impact on your benefit:
- Family benefits don't reduce yours
- Come from same earnings record
- Calculated separately
- You keep your full amount
SSI considerations:
- If you also receive SSI, family income may affect
- SSDI auxiliary income counts for household
- May affect family SSI eligibility
- Complex interactions
How Purple Helps
- Track all family benefit deposits
- Separate tracking if needed
- Clear financial picture
- Manage household finances together
- Simple banking for everyone