If you receive disability benefits from Social Security your children may be eligible for payment as well. Here is what you need to know about receiving additional disability payments for your children.

If you receive Social Security disability payments (not SSI benefits) your children are eligible for payments if you record will support them. Your children do not have to be living with you and are eligible for payment until they reach the age of 18 years old or graduate from high school as long as you are eligible for payments.

When calculating your benefit amount there are two figures Social Security uses on your record. Your benefit amount is derived from what Social Security calls your Primary Insurance Amount or PIA. This figure is derived from the years of work you have where you paid Social Security taxes. The PIA on your record determines how much your disability check will be each month. The second amount on your record that determines if your children are eligible is the Family Maximum. This amount is also derived from your work history.

If the Family Maximum is greater than the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) on your record your children are eligible for monthly payments. The amount your children are eligible for is up to 50% of what you receive not to exceed the Family Maximum. For example: if your disability check from Social Security is $1000 and your Family Maximum is equal to $2,000, each of your two children will receive a check for $500 per month.