Can my spouse and children get benefits on my SSDI record?
Yes.
Yes. On a disabled worker's record, auxiliary benefits can go to a spouse who is 62 or older or who is caring for the worker's child under 16 or disabled, and to unmarried children under 18 (up to 19 if still in high school, or any age if disabled before 22); each auxiliary can receive up to 50 percent of your unreduced benefit (PIA). Total payments are capped by the disability family maximum, generally 100 to 150 percent of your PIA, and the cap does not cut your own check — only the dependents' shares are reduced proportionately. Dollar amounts change every year with the COLA.
What the government has said, on the record
"Further, Social Security provides benefits for disabled workers, as well as benefits for spouses and children of retired, disabled, and deceased workers. A worker's Social Security benefits are not reduced because of benefits payable to a spouse and children."
— David A. Rust, Deputy Commissioner for Retirement and Disability Policy, Social Security Administration. Statement, hearing before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security, January 16, 2008.
Editor's note: Quote states the auxiliary-benefit principle generally but does not itself give the 50 percent rate or the disability family maximum (100-150 percent of PIA), which are supplied in the answer.
Sourced from ssa.gov — see citations below.
Yes.
Can my spouse and children get benefits on my SSDI record?
On a disabled worker's record, auxiliary benefits can go to a spouse who is 62 or older or who is caring for the worker's child under 16 or disabled, and to unmarried children under 18 (up to 19 if still in high school, or any age if disabled before 22); each auxiliary can receive up to 50 percent of your unreduced benefit (PIA). Total payments are capped by the disability family maximum, generally 100 to 150 percent of your PIA, and the cap does not cut your own check — only the dependents' shares are reduced proportionately. Dollar amounts change every year with the COLA.
Where to verify
See the official source cited in the quote block above, and SSA's own program pages at ssa.gov/disability. Program dollar amounts change annually with the cost-of-living adjustment.
Sources
Every figure and rule on this page is drawn from official SSA publications. Verify at the links below.