My husband has now been approved for SSDI. I heard that the family maximum is at most, 150% of his PIA. At the SSA.GOV website it shows this excerpt:

"Maximum Family Amount

Each family member may be eligible for a monthly benefit of up to 50 percent of your disability rate. However, there is a limit to the amount we can pay your family.

The total depends on your benefit amount and the number of family members who also qualify on your record. The total varies, but generally the total amount you and your family can receive is about 150 to 180 percent of your disability benefit. "

I am confused, SSA says the familly maximum benefit for an SSDI receipient is 150% of his PIA but in the above quote it says "about 150 to 180% of your disability amount." I thought his disability amount and his PIA were one in the same. So how can the family maximum be up to 180%? He currently gets $1849 per month and we have a 27 year old disabled son (disabled since birth). I definitely qualify for spousal benefits as I easily meet the "child in care" definition from SSA. Does this mean we could get as a whole up to 180% of his $1849 benefit?

Thank you
Karen

Hi Karen,

The family maximum payable on disability (SSDI) records is limited to no more than 150% of the disabled individual's benefit rate, or PIA (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300615742), so I don't know what the reference you cite refers to. There is an exception if the disabled person was previously entitled to SSDI prior to July 1980, but that's almost never applicable these days.

Best, Jerry