FAFSA confusion: Is child's benefit from parent's SSDI considered SSI income?

No, SSDI and SSI are completely different programs! SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on work credits and is NOT the same as SSI (Supplemental Security Income) which is needs-based. Your son's dependent benefits from your husband's SSDI would be reported as "Social Security benefits" on the FAFSA, NOT as SSI. There's a specific question that asks about Social Security benefits received that were not taxed. It's important to report it correctly because it affects your SAI calculation.

i had the exact same question last yr when doing my daughters fafsa!! the benefits your son got are defintely NOT SSI. they're social security benefits for a dependent of someone on disability. report them under social security benefits question. dont stress out too much tho, my daughter still got decent aid even with reporting those

This is a common point of confusion for many families. To be clear: - SSI = Supplemental Security Income (needs-based program) - SSDI = Social Security Disability Insurance (work-credit based) The dependent benefits your son received are definitely NOT SSI. They should be reported on the FAFSA under question #92h on the 2025-2026 FAFSA which asks for "Social Security benefits received that were not taxed." These benefits fall under untaxed income and must be reported. You should be able to find the total amount on your son's SSA-1099 form, or you can request a benefit verification letter from the Social Security Administration that shows the exact amounts received.

My kid got the same thing when I went on disability. The financial aid office at his college told us to report it under Social Security benefits NOT as SSI. They're totally different things. SSI is for low income/resources while SSDI is based on work history. Make sure you only report the amount YOUR SON received as his dependent benefit, not your husband's full SSDI amount.

UGH the fafsa form is SO CONFUSING!!!! I spent HOURS last year trying to figure out where to put different income. Call your son's school financial aid office - they were super helpful for me when i was confused about disability benefits. Also the fafsa hotline is useless, I was on hold for like 2 hours and then they hung up on me.

This stuff gets so technical! From personal experience (my mom was on disability), the Social Security Administration considers these payments as "auxiliary benefits" or "dependent benefits" - NOT SSI. On the FAFSA, you'll report them as untaxed Social Security benefits. Just make sure you're only reporting what your SON received, not your husband's benefits. Also, be prepared that this income WILL impact your SAI calculation because it counts as untaxed income for your son.

My neighbor's kid got these benefits too when her husband got disabled last year. Said it's def not SSI! SSI is completely different. The FAFSA is so freaking confusing with this stuff, i swear they make it complicated on purpose lol

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to report it as untaxed Social Security benefits on question #92h as advised. I'll also call SSA tomorrow to see if I can get documentation specifically showing my son's portion of the benefits in case we get selected for verification. Really appreciate everyone clarifying the difference between SSI and SSDI dependent benefits - the terms are so similar it's easy to get confused!