Hi - father with disability is receiving SSDI $1,500, his two children are receiving $600 for both, one of the children is turning 18, how will the benefit be affected, go away? The child is not disabled and not in school. Thank you

Hi. Once a child turns age 18 they can only remain eligible for child benefits if they are either still in high school or they are disabled. So, it sounds like the child turning age 18 in your example will stop receiving benefits effective with the month they reach age 18.

However, based on the benefit amounts cited in your question, when the older child turns age 18 his or her benefit amount will be redistributed to the younger child. In other words, the younger child's monthly rate would then increase to $600. Children receiving benefits on the account of of living parent can be paid as much as 50% of the parent's primary insurance amount (PIA). But, there is a family maximum benefit (FMB) amount that can limit a child's actual benefit rate to less than their full benefit rate.

Apparently, in this case the father's PIA is $1500 and the FMB is $2100. That leaves $600 available to be paid to eligible family members. With 2 children eligible, they would split the $600 and be paid $300 each. But, if only one child is eligible for benefits, they'd receive the full $600 available based on the FMB.

Best, Jerry