SSDI BENEFITS FOR DEPENDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS MAY NOT LAST FOREVER!

Caregivers of dependents with special needs who receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits must fully understand the nature, scope and duration of these benefits to effectively plan for the financial future of their dependent. When SSDI benefits are payable based on a parent's working record to their adult dependent with special needs, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers this type of benefit as a "child's" benefit. It is this form of eligibility that this article will address.

Many caregivers do not understand how this type of SSDI benefit works, and make incorrect planning assumptions - which could be disastrous for their dependent. Often caregivers assume that the benefits will last forever, when in fact, they could be reduced and even be stopped by the SSA. Plans put in place by caregivers could be derailed, short-circuited and fall short of expectations. Without a clear understanding of SSA benefits and payments, caregivers may not be able to effectively plan for the financial future of their dependent with special needs.

An adult dependent may be eligible to receive SSDI payments from their parent's working record based on their own disability or blindness if certain requirements are met. The parent must have contributed into the Social Security system a minimum number of qualifying quarters and some of those taxes must have been paid in recent years. Even then, their dependent is only eligible to receive SSDI payments if their parent is receiving Social Security disability or retirement benefits or is deceased.

Next, the dependent must be over the age of 18. Their disability must have occurred before the age of 22 – which, coincidentally, is the age that a disability must have manifested itself by to be considered a "developmental disability" by the federal government's standards. The dependent cannot be performing any "sub stantial work" (per definition by the SSA) and must have a medical condition that has lasted or is expected either to last for at least 12 months or to result in death. Typically, they must also be single, or married to another social security beneficiary. SSDI benefits can also be payable to adults who received dependent benefits based on their parents' Social Security earnings record prior to the age of 18.

After receiving twenty-four months of SSDI payments, the recipient will become eligible to receive Medicare Part A hospital insurance benefits, which are premium-free. They will also be eligible to purchase Part B supplementary medical insurance and Part D voluntary prescription drug benefits at that time.

SSDI benefit payments made to the dependent are based upon the average monthly indexed earnings of the wage earning caregiver and reflect that caregiver's actual contributions into the system. Since a limited amount of contributions were made into the system, the SSA calculates the family maximum that can be paid out to the family as a whole.

For example, if the dependent is eligible for SSDI benefits based on their caregiver's disability, the family's maximum monthly benefit can be no more than 150% of the caregiver's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA.) The former wage earning caregiver receives his own full benefit, and any eligible dependents must divide the balance between them, though not necessarily evenly. Payments to eligible dependents are reapportioned when other dependents are added or removed, which can create problems for your loved one. This reapportionment could occur when the caregiver's spouse reaches retirement age and they draw on the system or the caregiver leaves behind a widow(er) who is also eligible to receive their benefits.

Therefore, as earlier mentioned, SSDI payments to the dependent with special needs can be decreased, modified and even stopped. If the SSA determines the parent's disability has ended and they are not of Social Security retirement age, the dependent's SSDI benefit will terminate, as well, if being paid as a result of their dependent status. This could leave your loved one with inadequate funds and potential loss of accompanying Medicare coverage. Long-term planning goals may not be achieved.

C aregivers of dependents with special needs receiving SSDI payments cannot assume that these benefits will continue uninterrupted throughout their dependent's lifetime. Caregiver's must contact the Social Security Administration and determine if there will ever be a benefit reduction or elimination at any point in their dependent's future. Additional special needs planning can then be undertaken to offset the effects of these potential changes. Due to the complexity of federal and state laws, you may need to seek advice from your own legal counsel and also work with a specially trained professional

who can help you plan for the future of your dependent with special needs. Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance exclusive Company's (MassMutual) SpecialCare program provides access to information and resources to families with dependents, of any age, who have a special need. Our mission is to help educate families and caregivers of people with special needs about the importance and steps in planning to help provide a secure financial future. MassMutual Special Care Planners are specially trained to work with families and caregivers of dependents with special needs. They understand what caregivers need and have a passion to help families with their plans.•

CALL A MASSMUTUAL SPECIAL CARE PLANNER FOR A CONFIDENTIALCONSULTATION.

For information about SSDI go to ssa.gov/pgm/links_disability.htm. Information is available by telephone, mail, in person at an office. The toll–free number is 1–800–772–1213.

For more information about Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its SpecialCare program, please visit massmutual.com/specialcare. The Special Care Planner title is used by MassMutual financial professionals who have received advanced training and information in estate and tax planning concepts, special needs trusts, government programs, and the emotional dynamics of working with people with disabilities and other special needs and their families.

The information provided is not written or intended as specific tax or legal advice. MassMutual, its subsidiaries, employees, and representatives are not authorized to give tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel. Individuals involved in the estate planning process should work with an estate planning team, including their own personal legal or tax counsel.