Social Security benefits for disabled adult child - will switching from SSI to SSDI reduce her benefits when I claim at 70?

My son was in similar situation last year. When i retired he HAD to move to SSDI from the SSI. They dont give you a choice its automatic when parent claims SS. His payment went down about $200 a month to but then the state added more of there supplement to make up some of it. you should check with your state disability office!!

I work with families in this exact situation. Here's what you need to understand: 1. When you claim retirement benefits, your daughter will be required to file for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits on your record. 2. If the DAC amount is less than her current SSI, she may qualify for continuing SSI payments to make up the difference. This is called "concurrent benefits" - receiving both a reduced SSI amount plus the DAC benefits. 3. The Medicaid coverage she likely has through SSI can continue under special protected status even if her SSI payment reduces to $0, through what's called "1619(b)" status. 4. The exact financial impact depends on your state's rules for supplemental payments and group home regulations. I suggest requesting a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) from SSA, which will show all benefits she's eligible for, then consulting with a benefits planner at your local WIPA (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance) program. They provide free counseling for situations exactly like this.

when my brother went from SSI to SSDI his group home took MORE of his money!! check the contract with your daughters home because they might just raise her "contribution" if her income source changes. we were so mad but nothing we could do.

I HATE how SSA makes these rules so confusing!!!! My daughter has been on SSI for 20 years and nobody ever explained all these complicated rules about what happens when I retire. They just expect us to figure it all out ourselves while they keep changing the rules. And every time I call I get a different answer from those people. Its NOT FAIR to our disabled kids!!!!!

After struggling with similar issues for my brother last year, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). It helped me actually get through to a knowledgeable SSA representative who understood the DAC/SSI transition rules. You might want to check out their video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - it basically helps you skip the phone wait times so you can talk to someone who can actually help with complex situations like yours. It made a huge difference for us in getting correct information about concurrent benefits.

To directly address your question: Your daughter won't necessarily lose money in this transition. When a person transitions from SSI to DAC benefits, they can receive what's called "SSI continuance" if the DAC benefit amount is lower than their prior SSI. Additionally, most states provide supplemental payments to individuals in group homes. Critically, this transition provides a significant advantage: DAC benefits aren't subject to the same strict income and resource limits as SSI. This means your daughter may be able to have more savings or receive additional support without jeopardizing benefits. While the transition happens automatically, you should proactively submit an SSI continuance request when you file for your retirement benefits. Document everything carefully, as this transition can sometimes create administrative confusion.

wait do u mean SSDI or DAC? my cousins disabled and gets SSDI not DAC? is that the same thing or diffrent?

one other thing no one mentioned is your daughter might qualify for the ABLE account? my son has one and it lets him save money without effecting his benefits. you can put up to $18,000 a year in it i think. look it up :-) helped us alot

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I've learned so much - I'm going to: 1. Request the BPQY report from SSA 2. Check with our state about supplemental payments 3. Review her group home contract for payment structure 4. Submit an SSI continuance request when I file for retirement 5. Look into setting up an ABLE account for her I'm so relieved to hear she can potentially keep her current benefit level with concurrent benefits, and that her Medicaid should be protected. This community has been incredibly helpful!