I have a client who has a handicapped child. That child is not at FRA yet,
and both the child and his mother will not have enough credits to qualify on
their own. The child has never worked. Is it true that they both could get a
benefit before age 62?

Hi,

Yes, if the child's parent is drawing Social Security retirement or disability benefits and the child is under age 18 or disabled based on an impairment that became disabling prior to age 22, the child could potentially qualify for child's benefits on the parent's record (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0323.html). And, if the worker's spouse has an eligible child of the worker in his or her care (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0312.html) then they could potentially qualify for spousal benefits regardless of their age (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0305.html).

Best, Jerry