Child-in-Care benefits while caring for disabled adult child - when can I qualify for Social Security?

Yes, you can qualify for Child-in-Care benefits as the caregiver of a disabled adult child, but there are specific requirements. Here's what you need to know: 1. You don't need to be any specific age to qualify for CIC benefits 2. You must be providing care for your disabled adult child who receives DAC benefits 3. You must be unmarried or married to someone who is not the child's parent 4. Your ex-spouse must be entitled to retirement or disability benefits Since your ex has already filed for retirement benefits and your son is receiving DAC benefits on his record, you should qualify as long as you haven't remarried. Contact SSA right away to apply.

my sister had this EXACT same situation!!!! the SSA person told her wrong info 3 times and kept saying she couldnt get benefits till 62. finally someone who knew the rules helped her. u definitely CAN get CIC no matter ur age if ur caring for DAC kid. they backdated her payment 8 months after she finally got approved.

I'm a former SSA claims specialist, and I can confirm that there is no minimum age requirement for Child-in-Care benefits when caring for a disabled adult child. To apply, you'll need to submit Form SSA-5-BK (Application for Mother's or Father's Benefits) and specify that you're applying as a caregiver for a disabled adult child. Bring documentation showing your caregiving relationship. Important to note: CIC benefits are subject to the family maximum limit. This means the total benefits paid to all beneficiaries on one worker's record cannot exceed a certain amount. Your benefits won't reduce your son's DAC benefits directly, but if the total exceeds the family maximum, all auxiliary benefits (except the worker's) are proportionally reduced.

I was in a similar situation but got denied because my ex didnt have enough work credits. Make sure your ex has enough quarters of coverage for both DAC and CIC benefits. Also the family maximum is a real thing - between your son's DAC and your CIC you might hit that ceiling and get less than you expect.

The whole Social Security system is designed to make it IMPOSSIBLE to understand on purpose!!! They hope you'll give up and not claim what you deserve. My cousin went through this exact thing with her disabled daughter and the local office kept telling her wrong information for TWO YEARS before she finally got what she was entitled to!

One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you're providing care for a disabled adult child who gets DAC benefits, you should also look into whether you qualify for the Medicaid Caregiver Exemption which protects some of your assets if you ever need long-term care yourself. It's related to your caregiver status, not directly to the Social Security benefits, but it's another protection worth knowing about.

wait i just realized...what happens to ur CIC benefits when ur ex spouse dies? does everything switch to survivors or what? anyone know??

As someone who just went through this process last year, I want to echo what others have said - you absolutely CAN get Child-in-Care benefits at 52! The key is being persistent with SSA because not all representatives are familiar with these rules. A few practical tips from my experience: - When you call, specifically ask to speak with someone who handles "auxiliary benefits" or "child-in-care benefits for disabled adult children" - Have your son's DAC award letter ready when you apply - Document your caregiving role (medical appointments, daily care activities, etc.) - The application process took about 6 weeks for me, but I received backpay to when my application was filed Also, since your ex filed for early retirement at 58, your CIC benefit will be based on his full retirement age amount (PIA), not his reduced early retirement amount - that's actually better for you! Don't let anyone tell you that you have to wait until you're older. You've been caring for your son for 15 years and deserve these benefits now.

I want to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you understand the earnings test implications if you're working while receiving CIC benefits. Since you're under full retirement age, if you earn more than the annual exempt amount ($22,320 for 2024), your CIC benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn over that limit. This is different from your son's DAC benefits, which aren't subject to the earnings test because he's disabled. But as the caregiver receiving CIC benefits, your work earnings could impact your monthly payment. If you're currently working or planning to work while caring for your son, factor this into your decision-making. Also, I'd recommend calling SSA early in the morning (right at 8 AM local time) to avoid long hold times. The representatives tend to be more helpful when they're not rushed from a busy day of calls. Good luck with your application - you've been an amazing caregiver for 15 years and you deserve these benefits!

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add one more important consideration that could affect your timeline. Since your son is already receiving DAC benefits and your ex-spouse has filed for retirement, there might be a "protective filing date" opportunity if you call SSA soon. When you first contact SSA to inquire about CIC benefits, they can establish a protective filing date that preserves your right to receive benefits from that date - even if it takes weeks or months to complete the actual application process. This is especially important because CIC benefits can be paid retroactively up to 6 months from your application date. Given that your son's DAC benefits likely started when your ex-spouse filed for retirement, you may have already "missed" some months of CIC benefits you were entitled to. The sooner you establish that protective filing date, the more backpay you could potentially receive. Also, don't forget to ask about Medicare eligibility while you're at it. After receiving CIC benefits for 24 months, you'll qualify for Medicare even though you're only 52. This could be a significant benefit given the costs of healthcare, especially as a caregiver. The system is complex, but you've gotten great advice here. Take notes before you call, be persistent, and don't let anyone discourage you from claiming what you're legally entitled to!

I just want to emphasize something that might get overlooked in all this great technical advice - don't underestimate the emotional toll of navigating SSA while being a full-time caregiver. I went through this process two years ago with my disabled son, and between the confusing information, multiple phone calls, and paperwork, it can be overwhelming when you're already stretched thin. A few things that helped me stay organized: - Keep a dedicated notebook just for SSA calls (date, time, representative name, what they told you) - Ask for reference numbers for every conversation - If someone gives you information that contradicts what you've heard before, ask them to note it in your file The system IS confusing by design, but you're not alone in this. The fact that you found this community and asked the right questions shows you're advocating well for yourself and your son. That protective filing date tip is crucial - call Monday and get that established even if you're not ready to complete the full application yet. You've been an incredible caregiver for 15 years. You deserve these benefits, and your persistence will pay off. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I want to add something that might help with your application process - consider requesting a face-to-face appointment at your local SSA office instead of trying to handle everything over the phone. I know it's an extra step, but for complex situations like yours involving CIC benefits for a disabled adult child, having all your documents reviewed in person can prevent delays and misunderstandings. When you go, bring: - Your son's DAC award letter - Your ex-spouse's Social Security number and retirement claim information - Documentation of your caregiving role (medical records showing you as primary contact, etc.) - Your divorce decree showing custody arrangements - Proof that you haven't remarried The in-person representatives tend to be more experienced with unusual benefit combinations, and you can get immediate clarification if there are any issues with your application. Plus, you'll have a paper receipt showing exactly when you applied, which helps with that protective filing date everyone mentioned. I did this for my sister's similar situation last year, and while the appointment took about 2 hours, she walked out knowing her application was complete and correct. Sometimes the extra time upfront saves weeks of phone tag later. Either way though, definitely call Monday to establish that protective filing date first!

I'm also caring for a disabled adult child and went through the CIC application process recently. One thing I want to emphasize that hasn't been fully covered - make sure you understand the difference between "child in care" for CIC benefits versus just being a caregiver. SSA has specific criteria for what constitutes having a child "in your care" for benefit purposes. For a disabled adult child, you generally need to show that you're providing personal services (help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meal preparation) OR that you're exercising parental control and responsibility for the child's welfare. Since your son has autism and needs constant supervision, you'll likely meet these requirements easily, but be prepared to document this relationship clearly. I had to provide a detailed statement about my daughter's daily care needs and my role in meeting them. Also, something I wish I had known earlier - if you've been informally providing this care without any official documentation, start gathering evidence now. Things like being listed as emergency contact on medical forms, attending medical appointments, managing his benefits or finances, etc. The more you can show an ongoing pattern of care and responsibility, the stronger your case will be. The good news is that once you're approved, the benefits continue as long as you're providing care and remain unmarried (or married only to the child's other parent). There's no age limit where they stop, unlike some other Social Security benefits.