Can my disabled adult son collect survivor benefits from both deceased parents' Social Security records?

Yes, your daughter would be eligible for survivor benefits as an adult disabled child when either parent passes away, but there are important things to understand. She would receive the higher of either her own SSDI benefit or up to 75% of the deceased parent's benefit - not both added together. If both parents pass away, she would still only receive the highest single benefit amount from either parent's record. And yes, it definitely matters whether you and your ex-husband have started collecting retirement benefits. The survivor benefit amount is based on what the deceased parent was receiving (or would have received) at full retirement age. If a parent dies before taking benefits, the calculation is based on their full retirement age benefit amount. I went through this with my brother who has Down syndrome. The rules for Adult Disabled Children benefits are complicated but important to understand for planning.

this is so confussing. my nephew gets ssi not ssdi and thats different rite? i think with ssi he cant get survivors i think but im not sure. does anyone no if ssi and ssdi have diffrent rules about this stuff??

Let me clarify a few things about Adult Disabled Child benefits: 1. Your daughter would NOT receive both her own SSDI and a parent's benefit simultaneously. She would get the HIGHER of the two. 2. If both parents are deceased, she would receive the HIGHEST of the three possible benefits (her own or either parent's), not all combined. 3. Whether parents claimed early, at FRA, or delayed benefits DOES affect the amount. If a parent took reduced benefits early, the survivor benefit would be reduced accordingly. 4. The disability must have occurred before age 22 for your daughter to qualify as an Adult Disabled Child on your record. One important planning point: if your daughter ever marries, she loses eligibility for these benefits (except in very specific circumstances).

I experienced the SAME ISSUE with my disabled son!!! Sooo frustrating trying to get straight answers from Social Security!!! I called TWENTY TIMES and either got disconnected or got a different answer every time. One rep told me he could get benefits from both parents which was COMPLETELY WRONG. Another said he wasn't eligible at all which was also wrong!! The system is BROKEN and they make it impossible to get help!!!!

My brother is in a similar situation and we found that the local SSA office gave much better info than phone calls. Make an appointment if possible. Bring all the documents: birth certificate, disability determination, parents' SSNs, etc.

To answer your planning question - yes, it might make sense for you or your ex-husband to delay claiming retirement benefits until age 70, especially whoever has the higher earning record. This would maximize the potential survivor benefit for your daughter. The survivor benefit is based on: 1. If the parent died after starting benefits: The amount they were receiving (including any reduction for claiming early) 2. If the parent died before starting benefits: What they would have received at their full retirement age By delaying until 70, you could increase your benefit by 24-32% (depending on your FRA), which would potentially give your daughter a higher benefit for her lifetime after you pass away.

do you have a special needs trust for your daughter? my cousin set one up for her son so he can still get benefits if she leaves him money when she dies. i don't really understand it all but thought i'd mention it

I noticed no one mentioned the Family Maximum Benefit (FMB) yet, which is also important to understand in your situation. There's a maximum total amount that can be paid on any one earner's record. This means if you have a surviving spouse or other children also collecting on a deceased parent's record, it could potentially reduce what your daughter would receive. This is a complex situation that really calls for individualized planning. You might want to consider consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in special needs planning, as they can help coordinate benefit maximization, special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and other planning tools that work together.

One thing that might help while you're navigating all this complexity - consider reaching out to your state's Developmental Disabilities Administration or similar agency. Many states have benefits counselors who specialize in helping families understand how different programs interact for people with disabilities. They can often provide clearer guidance than SSA phone reps and help you understand the full picture of available supports. Also, since your daughter's current SSDI is only $1,150/month, you might want to explore whether she's eligible for any state supplemental programs or other assistance that could help with her care costs while you're doing this long-term planning. Some states have additional support for people with brain injuries specifically. The fact that you're thinking ahead about all this shows what a caring parent you are. These systems are frustratingly complex, but getting the right information now will make such a difference for her future security.

I just wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand the "deemed filing" rules if you're married and planning to delay benefits. If you're receiving spousal benefits on your current husband's record while delaying your own benefits to age 70, this could affect the calculation of your daughter's potential survivor benefit. Also, I'd suggest checking whether your daughter might be eligible for any state disability supplements that could help bridge the gap while you're doing this planning. Some states offer additional payments to SSDI recipients, and a few hundred extra dollars a month could really help with her care costs. One more thing - if either you or your ex-husband becomes disabled before retirement age, your daughter could potentially switch to survivor benefits on that parent's record immediately (if it's higher than her current SSDI). Disability benefits don't have the same age restrictions as retirement benefits, so this could be relevant for your planning discussions. The fact that you're thinking through all these scenarios shows incredible foresight. Your daughter is lucky to have someone advocating so thoroughly for her future security.