Introduction
Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB), previously called Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits, provide essential financial support for adults disabled before age 22, based on a parent’s Social Security earnings record. For attorneys and professionals working with families, understanding CDB eligibility is vital to secure benefits that can transform lives, including monthly payments and Medicare. Missing the narrow eligibility window can lead to lifelong financial consequences, making early action vital.
What Are Childhood Disability Benefits?
CDB offers monthly cash payments and Medicare (after 24 months) to unmarried adults disabled before age 22. Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
- No Work History Needed: CDB does not require the applicant to have earned sufficient work credits through prior employment, unlike SSDI.
- Parental Social Security Status: CDB requires that a parent be deceased, retired, or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits, a condition not applicable to SSDI or SSI.
- Marital Status Restriction: The individual must be unmarried, unlike SSDI or SSI.
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limit: Earnings must not exceed $1,620/month ($2,700 if blind) in 2025, aligning with SSDI but differing from SSI, which imposes additional limits on income and resources (e.g., savings or assets).
These distinct criteria make CDB a vital lifeline for disabled adult children who may not qualify for SSDI due to insufficient work credits or for SSI due to excess income or resources.
Who Qualifies for CDB?
Eligibility hinges on specific criteria:
- The individual must be unmarried.
- The disability must have started before age 22.
- The individual must meet Social Security’s adult disability definition.
- A parent must be deceased or receiving Social Security retirement/disability benefits.
- The individual’s earnings must not exceed the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit.
How to Identify Eligible Families
Professionals can spot potential CDB candidates by asking:
- Does the family have an adult child with a disability onset before age 22?
- Is a parent deceased or receiving Social Security benefits?
- Has the individual consistently earned below the SGA limit?
Many families delay applying for CDB due to misconceptions or emotional barriers. They may believe benefits are unnecessary while their child is in school, assume part-time work disqualifies them, or be unaware of CDB until a parent is retired, disabled, or deceased. Some parents fear applying for CDB signals giving up on their child’s dreams. Professionals can highlight that CDB promotes financial security, empowering independence and future goals, and stress the need for early applications.
Why Age 22 is Critical
Proving disability onset before age 22 is non-negotiable. If the disability began after this age, CDB is unavailable, regardless of severity. Obtaining testing or other objective medical evidence before age 22 can be critical to establish the onset of disability. Key evidence includes:
- Medical and psychological records
- School records, including Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Evaluations documenting the disability
If records prior to the age of 22 are unavailable, SSA may consider later evidence to infer earlier onset, but this is case-specific and requires expert handling. Collecting supporting records early is critical, as obtaining them later is sometimes difficult, or impossible, and retrospective testing is not possible.
The Cost of Delay
Delaying CDB applications risks permanent loss of benefits, including monthly payments and Medicare (after 24 months), even if families hope for future independence.
Benefits of CDB
CDB offers:
- Monthly payments based on the parent’s Social Security record
- Medicare eligibility after 24 months
- Long-term financial stability for families
Your Role as a Professional
Attorneys and professionals can make a difference by:
- Screening Clients: Use targeted questions to identify eligibility.
- Educating Families: Address parental worries about their child’s future sensitively, explaining that timely CDB applications and robust documentation secure a safety net that preserves opportunities for growth.
- Referring to Experts: Connect families with an experienced Social Security disability attorney to navigate the complex application process.
Call to Action
Act now to identify families whose members may qualify for CDB. Early applications can secure vital benefits and improve quality of life for disabled adult children. Reach out to our office to discuss potential cases or refer clients for expert guidance.
“Collecting supporting records early is critical, as obtaining them later is sometimes difficult, or impossible, and retrospective testing is not possible.“
Eligibility Checklist:
- Disability onset before age 22
- Unmarried adult child
- Parent deceased/receiving SS benefits
- Earnings below SGA limit