Will my disabled adult son continue getting Social Security survivor benefits after age 18 when siblings age out?

Yes, your disabled son can continue receiving survivor benefits beyond age 18 if his disability began before age 22. He would need to qualify under the Adult Child Disability Benefit program (sometimes called Disabled Adult Child or DAC benefits). The process requires a disability determination similar to SSI/SSDI qualification. As for your second question - yes, when your other children age out at 18 (or 19 if still in high school), your disabled son's benefit could increase because of the family maximum calculation. The total amount payable to all survivors in a family is capped, so when there are fewer beneficiaries, each remaining person may receive more.

just want to say i'm sorry about your husband. my kids got survivors benefits too and it was so confusing at first.

Regarding maximizing benefits - you might want to consider whether your husband's record would provide a higher spousal benefit than your own retirement benefit. You can actually claim one type and then switch to the other if advantageous. The rules get complicated depending on your age, earnings history, and when you start claiming. For your disabled son, definitely look into the Adult Disabled Child benefits as mentioned above, but also check if he might qualify for SSI in addition to the survivor benefits, especially during the transition to adult benefits. Sometimes people can get both depending on the benefit amounts and other income.

my daughter has autism and gets DAC benefits after my husband passed she's 26 now. one thing they dont tell you is that your son cant have resources over $2000 and if he ever gets married he loses the benefit completely. they also do reviews every few years to check if he's still disabled. its been a lifesaver for us but theres a lot of rules

Regarding maximizing benefits for both you and your son - I recommend scheduling an appointment with an SSA Claims Specialist specifically. You have several strategic decisions to make, especially considering your own claiming strategy. For your situation, you should know these key points: 1. Your FRA (Full Retirement Age) factors heavily into optimal timing 2. As a widow, you can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60 3. You can switch between your own retirement and widow's benefits at different times to maximize lifetime benefits 4. Your disabled son's benefits will be 75% of your deceased husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) 5. When your other children age out, your son's benefit may increase up to the family maximum For complex cases like yours involving a disabled adult child and widow benefits, getting personalized advice is essential.

One more thing about your son's benefits - if he's receiving survivor benefits now and transitions to Disabled Adult Child benefits, make sure you understand the healthcare implications. Once he's an adult on SSDI (which is what DAC essentially is), he'll qualify for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. But depending on your state, he might also qualify for Medicaid, which could provide more comprehensive coverage for his specific needs. Some states have special Medicaid waiver programs for people with disabilities that provide additional supports and services beyond medical care.

i feel for u so much. my friend has a disabled daughter and says the whole system is set up to make it as confusing as possible!!!

To summarize the options for your son: 1. He can transition from child survivor benefits to Adult Disabled Child benefits at 18 if his disability began before 22 2. The benefit amount would be the same (75% of your husband's PIA) initially 3. When siblings age out, his benefit could increase up to the family maximum (typically 150-180% of the worker's PIA) 4. The application process should start 3-4 months before he turns 18 5. He'll need comprehensive medical documentation of his disability 6. After approval, he'll get Medicare after 24 months 7. Benefits continue indefinitely as long as he remains disabled and unmarried For yourself, you have flexibility to either claim reduced widow's benefits as early as 60 and switch to your own retirement later, or vice versa depending on which maximizes your lifetime benefits.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Chad. Navigating all these benefits while grieving must be incredibly overwhelming. One additional resource that might help - many states have disability advocacy organizations that can provide free guidance on transitioning from child to adult benefits. They're often more accessible than SSA directly and can help you understand the specific documentation needed for your son's case. Also, since you mentioned his vision impairment, make sure his eye care records are comprehensive - SSA has specific criteria for visual disabilities that you'll want to ensure are well-documented. The fact that his disabilities have been documented since age 3 should work in your favor for the "disabled before age 22" requirement. You're doing great planning ahead - having this information now gives you time to get everything in order properly.

Chad, I'm so sorry for your loss. Managing all these benefits while grieving is incredibly difficult. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - make sure to keep detailed records of everything related to your son's disability and benefits. Create a file with all his medical records, correspondence with SSA, and any disability determinations. When it comes time for the Adult Disabled Child application, having everything organized will make the process much smoother. Also, consider reaching out to your local disability rights organization - they often have advocates who specialize in SSA benefits and can help guide you through the process at no cost. The National Disability Rights Network website has a directory to find your local office. You're being so thoughtful planning ahead for your family's future.

Chad, I'm so sorry for your loss. As someone who works with families navigating these transitions, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help as you prepare for your son's Adult Disabled Child application. First, start collecting not just medical records, but also educational records (IEPs, 504 plans, psychological evaluations) and any vocational assessments - SSA looks at functional limitations across all areas of life, not just medical. Second, ask his current doctors to specifically document how his disabilities limit his ability to work, not just his diagnoses. Phrases like "unable to maintain consistent attendance" or "requires constant supervision" are more helpful than just listing medical conditions. Finally, if your son receives any state disability services, get documentation of those too - it helps establish the severity and consistency of his limitations. The transition from child to adult benefits can be complex, but starting this documentation process now will put you in a strong position when application time comes.

Chad, I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your husband. What you're going through is unimaginably difficult, and it's admirable that you're planning ahead for your son's future during such a challenging time. One thing I'd like to add that hasn't been mentioned yet is the importance of understanding how work activity might affect your son's benefits in the future. Even though he has significant disabilities, SSA has work incentive programs like the Trial Work Period and Ticket to Work that allow disabled beneficiaries to test their ability to work without immediately losing benefits. If your son ever wants to try some form of supported employment in the future, these programs can provide a safety net. Also, since he's receiving survivor benefits now, make sure SSA has updated contact information and that you report any changes in his condition or circumstances promptly. The system can be overwhelming, but you're asking all the right questions and getting excellent advice from this community. Take care of yourself too during this difficult journey.

Chad, I'm so sorry for your loss. Reading through this thread, I can see you're getting excellent advice about your son's transition to Adult Disabled Child benefits. One thing I'd like to emphasize that might give you some peace of mind - the fact that his disabilities have been documented since age 3 puts you in a very strong position for the "disabled before age 22" requirement. SSA is looking for evidence that the disability existed and was severe enough to prevent substantial gainful activity before that age, and having 14+ years of medical documentation will be incredibly helpful. Also, don't feel like you need to figure everything out at once. Focus first on preparing for your son's DAC application (starting about 3-4 months before he turns 18), then you can work on optimizing your own claiming strategy later. You have time to make these decisions thoughtfully. The community here has given you a wonderful roadmap - you're going to navigate this successfully.

Chad, I'm so sorry for your loss. I wanted to add one more perspective that might be helpful as you navigate this process. Since your son has both vision impairment and cognitive disabilities, make sure his medical team is documenting how these conditions interact and compound each other's effects. SSA evaluates multiple impairments together, not just individually. For example, his cognitive limitations might make it even harder to adapt to or work around his vision impairment. Also, consider reaching out to your state's vocational rehabilitation agency now - they often work closely with SSA and can provide assessments that support disability determinations. They might also have transition services for young adults with disabilities that could be beneficial regardless of the benefit outcome. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your family during such a difficult time.

Chad, my heart goes out to you during this incredibly difficult time. Losing a spouse while trying to navigate complex benefit systems is overwhelming, but you're asking all the right questions and planning ahead thoughtfully. I wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - consider connecting with your local Independent Living Center (ILC). These centers often have benefits counselors who specialize in Social Security programs and can provide free, personalized guidance throughout the transition process. They understand the nuances of moving from child to adult benefits and can help you prepare the strongest possible application. The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living website has a directory to find your local center. Also, since your son has significant disabilities, it might be worth exploring Special Needs Trusts now, even before he transitions to adult benefits. This can help protect his eligibility for means-tested programs later while allowing family to provide additional support. You're handling this with such grace and foresight - your son is lucky to have such a dedicated advocate in his corner.

Chad, I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. What you're going through is heartbreaking, and I admire your strength in planning ahead for your son's future during such a difficult time. I wanted to share something that might help with the Adult Disabled Child application process - make sure to request copies of all medical records from his early childhood, especially those vision and cognitive assessments from when he was 3. Sometimes older records get archived or destroyed, so getting them now while you have time to track them down could be crucial for establishing the "disabled before age 22" requirement. Also, if your son has ever had any psychological or neuropsychological testing, those reports are particularly valuable because they often include detailed functional assessments that speak directly to work capacity limitations. The SSA really wants to see how his disabilities affect his daily functioning and ability to work, not just the diagnoses themselves. You're doing such an incredible job advocating for your family - your son is fortunate to have someone fighting so hard for his future security.

Chad, I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of your husband. What you're facing - grieving while trying to navigate these complex benefit systems for your children - is incredibly challenging, and you're handling it with remarkable thoughtfulness and care. I wanted to add something that might help with timing and preparation: when you do start the Adult Disabled Child application process 3-4 months before your son's 18th birthday, consider requesting an in-person appointment at your local SSA office rather than trying to handle it over the phone or online. For complex cases involving multiple disabilities like your son's vision and cognitive impairments, having face-to-face time with a claims specialist can make a huge difference. You can bring all your documentation, ask questions in real time, and ensure they understand the full scope of his limitations. Also, don't hesitate to bring an advocate with you - whether from an Independent Living Center, disability rights organization, or even just a knowledgeable friend. Having support during that appointment can help ensure nothing important gets overlooked. You're doing an amazing job preparing for your family's future during such an unimaginably difficult time.

Chad, I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a spouse while trying to navigate these complex systems is overwhelming beyond words. I wanted to mention one resource that might help bridge the gap while you're preparing for your son's Adult Disabled Child application - many states have "Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach" (BPAO) programs that provide free counseling specifically for Social Security disability benefits. These counselors can help you understand exactly what documentation you'll need and can even help coordinate with SSA during the application process. You can find your local BPAO through the Social Security Administration's website or by calling their main number. Also, since your son will likely qualify for Medicare after his 24-month waiting period on DAC benefits, it might be worth researching Medicare Supplement plans now so you're prepared for that transition. The combination of Medicare and potentially Medicaid could provide excellent coverage for his ongoing needs. You're being incredibly proactive in planning for his future - that preparation will serve you both well when application time comes.