Can grandson receive Social Security benefits through disabled grandparent with SSDI?

Thank you so much for this detailed response! We definitely have all those documents - tax returns, school records, medical forms, everything going back to his birth. My husband's disability began in 2022, and we've had our grandson since 2013, so that timeline works. Do you know if we would also be eligible for any back pay for him like we received for our biological son? Or is it only going forward from when we apply?

That's really encouraging to hear! We've definitely been financially supporting him 100% since birth. Did your sister have to go through a lot of appeals or just one? I'm trying to mentally prepare for how complicated this might get.

just one appeal and she brought TONS of paperwork. like medical bills she paid, school forms, everything showing she was taking care of him. the more proof the better!!!

While there can certainly be challenges, I think it's important to note that grandchild claims aren't automatically denied. The key is understanding exactly what SSA requires for proof and providing complete documentation. The three requirements for grandchild benefits are clearly spelled out in their policy: 1. The child must have begun living with the grandparent before age 18 2. The child must have received at least half their financial support from the grandparent in the year before the disability onset 3. The child's natural parents must be deceased or disabled, OR the grandparent must be legally responsible for the child's welfare The third requirement can be met through legal guardianship documentation, which it sounds like they have. With proper documentation, these claims can be approved on the first try.

Thank you for this! I was dreading the phone calls. I've already tried calling twice and waited over an hour before having to hang up for school pickup. I'll definitely check this out because I think we really need to speak to someone directly about our situation.

We've actually considered adoption but there are some Medicaid benefits he receives due to his special needs that are tied to his current legal status. The social worker advised us that changing to adoption might disrupt those benefits. It's such a complicated situation trying to balance all the different systems.

Oh that makes sense! Definitely don't mess with his Medicaid if he has special needs. The system makes things so unnecessarily complicated sometimes.

Thank you for explaining this! I had no idea about the family maximum - that's really important to know. So even if the individual amounts adjust slightly, we'd still be better off overall with both children receiving benefits.

As far as we know, she never applied for any benefits for him. She's never been in a stable enough situation to handle that kind of paperwork, unfortunately. But that's definitely something we'll mention when we apply, just to make sure there aren't any conflicts.

This is incredibly helpful - thank you! We do have court documents clearly showing the mother's situation and explaining that the father is unknown. I'll gather everything you listed and try to make an in-person appointment. Would it be better to bring our grandson with us to the appointment, or is this something we can handle without him being present?

You shouldn't need to bring your grandson to the appointment. The documentation is what matters most. However, make sure you have his Social Security number and any other identifying information they might ask for. I'd recommend calling ahead to schedule an in-person appointment rather than walking in, as these complex cases can take time to review.

This is exactly the kind of expert perspective I was hoping for! Thank you so much for breaking this down so clearly. I feel much more confident about moving forward now. We definitely have all the documentation you mentioned - tax returns going back to 2013, medical records, school enrollment forms, everything showing we've been his primary caregivers and financial support. The timeline aspect is really reassuring since we've had him for 9 years before my husband's disability started. I'm going to organize all our paperwork and call to schedule an in-person appointment this week. It's so helpful to hear from someone who actually works with these cases regularly rather than just guessing about the process. One quick question - should I mention that he also receives some Medicaid benefits currently, or could that potentially complicate things?

@Chad Winthrope Question if anyone is still here. I am currently on my Dad s'benefits as a DAC. He has never been in my life except at birth when he signed my birth certificate. I only qualify because around two years ago he was approved. I am also collecting SSI in the amount of $297 so supplment my dad s'DAC because his DAC is lower then the federal max of SSI. I want to know if I can be switched to my deceased grandfather s'benefits since his would be higher. I was born in march of 1990. I lived with him until 9 years old when he died in june of 1999. He was collecting both social security and military benefits years before I was even born. He also provided financial support for me the entire 9 years. His benefits paid the entire rent, utilities, and food for the entire household. My mom wasn t'able to because she did not make enough. I was on SSI for that time because she could not afford to pay for me. She was also on Welfare too. I have my DIBWIZ report that shows the address of the apartment I lived with my grandfather at the time of his death. And his last address that we lived at together is on his birth certificate. My grandmother was also receiving his benefits at the time of his death as well. Do I qualify for his Survivor Benefits? Or able to switch to his benefits from my dad s?'My mother and father were NOT receiving their own benefits at the time because they did not qualify. Dad was not even in the picture. Dad only recently around two years ago got benefits and he s'still not in the picture. Mom is still working because she still can t'receive her benefits. So, given my situation and in the past, Would I qualify to be switched to my grandfather s'benefits? Or is it not even worth calling the SSA about it?