Will Social Security DAC benefits increase when my daughter's survivor benefits end? Part-time caregiver options?

Your sons DAC benifits won't automatically increase when your daughter stops getting benefits. Each person gets their own amount. You might b able to get parents benefits if your caring for your disabled son but i think there's an income limit

I went through something similar with my disabled son and wanted to share what I learned. The DAC benefit amount for your son is calculated based on the worker's (deceased parent's) record and won't automatically increase when your daughter's benefits stop. What the SSA person was likely referring to is Mother's/Father's benefits, which you can receive as a parent caring for a disabled child (at any age) who began their disability before age 22. These benefits could replace what you were receiving when your daughter was under 16. There is an earnings limit for these benefits - for 2025 it's approximately $22,320 per year before they start reducing your benefit amount. With your part-time income around $15,000 annually, you would likely qualify for the full amount. You should definitely apply for the Mother's/Father's benefit as soon as your daughter's benefits end. Bring documentation of your caregiving responsibilities and your son's medical condition.

DONT COUNT ON THE SSA TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING!!!! I was in your shoes 3 years ago and they NEVER volunteered information about benefits I was entitled to. I found out from another parent that I qualified for caregiver benefits and when I went back to apply the SSA worker acted like it was some big secret!!! You have to specifically ASK for Mother's benefits as a caregiver of a disabled adult child and be PERSISTENT. They will try to say your not eligible and you have to INSIST!!!

My brother gets DAC benefits too. When my benefits ended his stayed the same amount. But my mom got benefits as his caregiver until she started working full time.

I spent 2 months trying to get through to Social Security about a similar situation with my son's DAC benefits. Called daily, got disconnected constantly, and could never speak to the same person twice. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to a live agent in 20 minutes. They have a video demo showing exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed I was eligible for parent's benefits while caring for my disabled son and helped me start the application process right over the phone. They explained that parent's benefits are generally 75% of the deceased worker's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), but subject to the family maximum limit. Definitely worth checking out if you're struggling to get answers from SSA directly.

To address your specific questions: 1. DAC benefits don't automatically increase when other beneficiaries on the same record stop receiving benefits. Each person's benefit is calculated separately, though all are subject to the Family Maximum Benefit limit. 2. Yes, you likely qualify for what's called "Mother's or Father's Benefits" as the parent caring for a disabled adult child. The key requirements are: - Your son became disabled before age 22 - You must be unmarried (or remarried after age 60) - You must not be entitled to a higher benefit on your own record - You must provide evidence of caregiving responsibility The benefit amount would be up to 75% of your late spouse's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), subject to the family maximum. With your part-time earnings of approximately $15,000 annually, you would be under the 2025 earnings limit of $22,320. Schedule an appointment with SSA about 3 months before your daughter's benefits end. Bring documentation of your caregiving responsibilities for your disabled son, including medical records showing his condition requires substantial care. Important: This won't happen automatically - you must file an application specifically for Mother's/Father's Benefits.

I applied for mother's benefits last year but got denied because they said I make too much money (I work 30 hrs and make $24k). They have this earnings test thing and if you make over a certain amount they reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn over the limit. So annoying that they punish us for trying to work part time while taking care of our kids!!

Thank you all for your helpful responses! I feel much better knowing there's a path forward with Mother's benefits once my daughter's benefits end. I'm going to: 1. Schedule an appointment with SSA 3 months before my daughter turns 18 2. Specifically ask about Mother's benefits as a caregiver for my disabled son 3. Bring documentation of my caregiving responsibilities and his medical condition 4. Be prepared to advocate for myself if they initially say I'm not eligible I'm relieved my current part-time income should be under the earnings limit. This would make such a huge difference for our family's stability.

I just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you apply for Mother's benefits, make sure to ask about retroactive benefits too. Sometimes if there was a gap between when your daughter's benefits ended and when you applied, you might be able to get back benefits for up to 6 months. Also, if your son ever needs to go into a care facility or gets additional income sources in the future, it could affect your caregiver benefits, so it's good to stay in touch with SSA about any changes. Good luck with your appointment!

Just want to echo what others have said about being persistent with SSA! I went through this exact situation 2 years ago when my youngest daughter's survivor benefits ended and I needed to apply for mother's benefits as caregiver for my disabled son. One thing I learned is that you should also ask about auxiliary benefits - sometimes there are additional programs or adjustments that can help. Also, keep detailed records of all your caregiving activities (medical appointments, daily care tasks, etc.) because they may ask for specific documentation. The earnings limit others mentioned is key - at $15,000/year you're well under the threshold. Just remember that if you ever consider increasing your work hours, run the numbers first because sometimes the benefit reduction from higher earnings isn't worth it financially. Hang in there - this transition period is stressful but there is help available once you navigate the system!

I want to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure to ask SSA about whether your state has any additional caregiver support programs that might complement your federal benefits. Some states have respite care programs or caregiver stipends that can help with expenses. Also, when you go to your appointment, bring a list of all your son's medications, therapies, and medical equipment needs. This helps demonstrate the level of care required and strengthens your case for mother's benefits. I learned this the hard way when they initially questioned how much care my disabled daughter actually needed. One more tip: if possible, try to get your appointment scheduled with a disability specialist rather than a general claims representative. They tend to be more knowledgeable about DAC and caregiver benefit rules. You can specifically request this when you call to schedule. You're doing an amazing job caring for your son while working part-time. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're asking for too much - these benefits exist for exactly your situation!