My mentally ill disabled son, since age 19, receives the following from Social Security:
$226.37 SSI
$442.00 SSDI, own record
$510.00 SSDI, father's (my) record

My wife was also receiving a retirement benefit of $1264 from my record, but she has just switched to her own record.

1. Will my son now automatically receive a higher SSDI, the 50% of my FRA benefit ($1264)?
2. Will this amount be in addition to his own $442 SSDI?

Thank you.

Hi,

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) only supplements Social Security benefits up to a maximum total of $755. So, your son wouldn't be eligible for federal SSI payments if he receives $952 in Social Security benefits (i.e. $442 + $510). He may be receiving a supplement payment from the state in which he lives, though.

If your son's benefit rate as a disabled adult child was reduced due to the family maximum and your wife is no longer entitled to any benefits on your record, his total Social Security benefit rate should be adjusted to 50% of your full retirement age rate (PIA). A person entitled to more than one type of Social Security benefit (e.g. SSDI and disabled adult child's benefits) only receives the higher of the 2 rates, so your son would be paid his own SSDI plus the difference between that amount and 50% of your PIA. In other words, his total Social Security benefit rate couldn't exceed 50% of your PIA as long as you are living. Furthermore, any increase in his Social Security rate would likely reduce his state supplement payment accordingly.

Best, Jerry