Social Security Child-in-Care benefits with disabled adult child who's working - income limits?

There's no income cap for YOU to receive Child-in-Care benefits as the surviving spouse. The income limit applies to the child, which in this case is your disabled adult son. However, here's the critical part: to receive Child-in-Care benefits, you must be caring for a child who is CURRENTLY RECEIVING benefits. Since your son is not currently receiving SSDI benefits (because he's working above SGA), you wouldn't qualify for Child-in-Care benefits. "Eligible but not receiving" doesn't satisfy the requirement.

This is a complicated area of Social Security benefits. The official policy is that to receive Child-in-Care benefits, you must be caring for a child who is entitled to and currently receiving benefits. If your son's benefits are suspended due to work activity, you wouldn't typically qualify. However, there are some nuances here - is your son still in his Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)? That's the 36-month period after the Trial Work Period. His status during this time could affect your eligibility.

my sister had similar situation!!! her son has autism but started working part time. she lost her widows benefit when his checks stopped. really unfair system if u ask me!!!! they should let parents keep getting benefits because disability doesnt just disappear when someone makes a little money!!!!

You might want to look into whether you qualify for regular survivor benefits instead? Depending on your age, you might be eligible for widow(er)'s benefits even without the child-in-care provision. I think it's reduced if you're under FRA though.

I dealt with similar issues with my disabled daughter. The critical thing is understanding the exact phase of the work incentive program your son is in. During TWP (Trial Work Period), benefits continue regardless of earnings. During EPE (Extended Period of Eligibility), benefits are paid for months earnings are below SGA and suspended when above. It sounds like your son is consistently earning above SGA in the EPE, which means his benefits are suspended but not terminated. Unfortunately, for Child-in-Care benefits, the child must be RECEIVING benefits, not just technically entitled. I was getting nowhere with regular SSA phone lines - always different answers. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in under 5 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. The agent I spoke with was able to access my complete file and explain exactly how my daughter's work status affected my benefits. Saved me weeks of confusion.

This is a frustration I see ALL THE TIME in the system. Parent provides critical support that allows adult disabled child to work, then loses benefits BECAUSE the child is working. Makes zero sense and discourages families from helping disabled members achieve independence.

Have you considered asking SSA about the impacts if your son reduces his hours slightly to stay under the SGA threshold ($1,550/month in 2025)? That might preserve both his SSDI and your Child-in-Care benefits, though I understand that might not be ideal for his career development.

One more important detail: If your son's condition worsens and he stops working or drops below SGA, his benefits would resume during the EPE. When his benefits resume, you would again be eligible for Child-in-Care benefits. The EPE lasts for 36 months, so keep that timeframe in mind when planning.

its SO DUMB that they make these rules so complicated!!!! why cant they just explain things clearly?? everytime i call ssa i get diffrent answers too

To summarize what everyone's said: While your son is earning above SGA during his EPE, his benefits are suspended (not terminated). During months of suspension, you would not be eligible for Child-in-Care benefits because he's not receiving benefits. For any months he earns under SGA during the EPE, both his benefits and your Child-in-Care benefits could be reinstated for those specific months. After the EPE ends, if he's still working above SGA, his benefits would be terminated, which would permanently end your eligibility for Child-in-Care benefits (unless he files a new application later).