Hi Larry I was awarded SSDI earlier this year. My children have been approved to receive benefits as well including back pay for the time I didnt work. Is that usually 50% of the backpay I received? I have 2 kids. Could you give me an example? Thank you very much.

Hi,

The benefit rate that can be paid to an eligible auxiliaries (e.g. child) on the record of a person receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits can range from as little as zero dollars to as much as 50% of the SSDI recipient's full benefit rate. That's because the family maximum benefit (FMB) payable on an SSDI account can range anywhere from 100% to 150% of the worker's full SSDI rate depending on the worker's earnings history.

If the FMB on your record is 100% of your SSDI rate, then your children won't receive any payments since the entire FMB would be going to you. However, if your FMB is 150% of your full SSDI rate, then each of your children would be paid a child benefit rate equal to 25% of your SSDI rate. If your FMB is between 100% and 150% of your PIA, then your children's benefit rate would fall between 0% & 25% of your rate. Any back pay for which they would be eligible would be calculated according to those same percentages.

I can't give you exact amounts without knowing your earnings history, but if your full SSDI rate is under around $900 then there's a good chance that little if any benefits will end up being payable to your children. On the other hand, if your full SSDI rate is at least roughly $1400, then your FMB would likely be high enough to allow your children to each receive a full 25% of your benefit rate.

Best, Jerry