Breaking Barriers: Celebrating Women’s Vital Roles as Disability Advocates
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: March 29, 2024
Women have always played pivotal roles in shaping societies and breaking down barriers across diverse fields. Women’s History Month is a dedicated time to reflect on their accomplishments, from the suffragette movement to advances in science, technology, and beyond.
Especially deserving of recognition are women who take on the roles of caregivers and advocates for others, particularly those living with disabilities. They perform the often unpaid labor of caregiving, while juggling other paid work to secure their and their loved one’s financial futures.
For women caregivers, a common concern is obtaining adequate financial support for their adult child who has a disability. In those circumstances, Social Security is there to help – Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits are available for some adult children with a disability.
Let’s explore what these benefits are and how parents can ensure their eligible adult child receives the financial support they deserve.
Understanding the Benefits
DAC benefits provide financial assistance to adults who became disabled before the age of 22. These benefits are based on the work record of a parent who is retired, has a disability, or is deceased. Sometimes, a person who was found financially ineligible for SSI during childhood, may become eligible for DAC benefits when they are older.
Qualifying for Benefits
For your adult child to qualify for benefits, a few key criteria must be met:
- Onset of disability must be before age 22.
- Adult child must be unmarried and dependent on a parent who is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, or who has passed away.
- Their condition must meet Social Security’s definition of “adult” disability.
Application Process
Here’s what you should know about navigating the application process:
- Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to request an appointment for your adult child to apply for disability benefits. You can schedule an appointment either in person or over the phone. An adult claimant (age 18 or older in the 1st month of eligibility) should always file their own application, but a parent may assist them.
- Gather necessary documentation such as the child’s medical records and parent’s work history. To speed up the application process, complete the Adult Disability Report (SSA-3368) and Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration (SSA-827) and have them available at the time of the appointment. You may assist your adult child with this report.
- During your appointment, a Social Security representative will go over the application to ensure it is complete. Provide Social Security with copies of any medical reports or information you have in your possession. You don’t need to request information from doctors. Social Security will contact them directly for reports or information they need to decide about their benefits.
Benefits Beyond Finances
For the 75% of caregivers who are women, their dedication to their child’s well-being doesn’t end when they reach adulthood. DAC benefits can provide valuable financial support.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s acknowledge the unsung heroines who have been the backbone of advocacy for people with disabilities. They work every day to ensure those they love are safe and secure into the future.
Please share this information with those who may need it.
Our posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization, author, or webpages.
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Tags: Disability, Guest blogger, retirement, Survivors
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Quacy M.
who was still mean to my mother under her disability and need to leave is my own mother sisters and family from the bluchers and the clarks and then my father side the mcleods family
Margay M.
I’m a widow of a deceased serviceman with whom I share two children. Youngest one was born with a congenital heart condition and since my husband(children’s father) died, it’s been such a horrible experience. I’ve been beat up for trying to stay a community garden at my property that I purchased with my husband’s benefits, stolen identity, took our weapons, took our kids, real and personal property across the Country that my husband worked hard earning throughout his career in the military straight out of high school, lost my job and taken to custody because allegations of child neglect only for the cases thrown out each time as I’ve never had any trouble with the law while learning that the children’s center were the ones in trouble before for human trafficking the children for monetary gain! First, I thought how farfetched for this kind of thing to happen here as this is America! Mind you, I’m a migrant from a third world country who came to this country with nothing, but papers and the rags on my back. Been working since I was 14. From being told that it’s best for me not to work if I’m to continue receiving government benefits that my husband has earned! While being told that I need legal assistance with lawyers and JAG that can’t even explain why this is it for all the sacrifices that our family has made throughout this journey. PER COVID! A pandemic that my husband has warned me about before he died.
EngEng
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Pamela P.
Why doesn’t this agency tell you can NEVER get married ? Or you have marry a person that is disabled? They your benefits away without telling you things. Money was taken of bank account and I had to pay back the whole amount that I received.
S.D.
Hi, Pamela. Thanks for reading our blog and for your questions. Marriage may affect your payments depending on the type of benefits you receive. We make Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to people with disabilities and people 65 and older who have limited income and resources. If you’re married and you and your spouse live in the same household, the law requires that we count your spouse’s income and resources when determining your SSI eligibility and payment amount. If you get married, your SSI payment amount may change as a result of your new spouse’s income and resources. To learn more, check out How much you could get from SSI.
We pay Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits to adults who have a disability that began before they were 22. The benefit is paid on the record of a parent who is deceased or receives Social Security retirement or disability benefits. In most cases, Disabled Adult Child benefits end if the child gets married. There are exceptions, such as marriage to another Disabled Adult Child, when the benefits are allowed to continue. Our rules vary depending on the situation. For more information, visit our Disability Planner.
If you have questions about your situation, we encourage you to contact your local Social Security office or call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Ann S.
Social Security Administration misconduct/nefarious activities and 2020 Overpayment Payment Center Cases Removals/Clearing (wasteful spending during recovery and oppressive nefarious practice 2020 Overpayment Payment center Cases of non recipients).
PLEASE FORWARD TO SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION COMMISSIONER MARTIN O’MALLEY
MISCONDUCT
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION is being RANSACKED FROM WITHIN by their very own OIG, CDI PROGRAM UNIT, overseers, contractors and affiliates who are involved in nefarious activities. They are intentionally causing financial hardships, blocking all types of income so you can’t progress, poisoning people by giving them unknown substance without their knowledge by threatening and paying someone who usually would have access to your nutrition to put these things into your food and beverages. They intentionally block all opportunities for income and also online sources of income, so don’t think being an online trader will work, and isolate the recipient/ex-recipient. All this while they threaten and pay people “to not say anything” it’s a secret” “they’re not suppose to know” ” don’t tell them”.
THEY INTENTIONALLY CAUSE RECIPIENTS AND EX RECIPIENTS to remain stagnant and unemployed, so they can continue to excessively milk the SSA and contracts by trying to turn them into “forever recovery contract” which they make certain the targeted individual never earns income to keep the “forever recovery contract”. People remain quiet because they are threatened and also brainwashed by hating the recipient/ex-recipient by thinking the false allegations are true, as the recipient is dehumanized in a smear campaign where many things are fabricated. That’s why most recipients can’t seem to be able to climb out of the Social Security Administration’s Poverty Programs. Look who’s to benefit from this and you’ll find the real culprits, and it’s not the people that have to wait 30 days to receive a check once a month.
OVERPAYMENTS
Some OVERPAYMENTS were FALSELY given to non recipients who shouldn’t even be in the SSA’s system any more as they NEED TO BE REMOVED AND CLEARED FROM THE SSA’S “PAYMENT CENTER” where the “checks-direct deposits” payment information is held. It’s impossible for the overpayment to happen due to many individuals on any SSA programs or benefits list are MONITORED AND UNDER SURVEILLANCE EVERY SECOND OF THEIR LIFE BY The National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Social Security Administration’s CDI PROGRAM UNIT and it’s contractors and affiliates, who monitor every aspect of their life especially their bank accounts and any miscellaneous income in order to REPORT BACK TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AND IRS. The reason why they want the SSA’s recipients which they monitor to remain stagnant and unemployed is to make their job easier by not having to report so many things, they less they have to report the easier their job is as in babysitting. But they intentionally cause the recipients to remain stagnant in secretive oppressive behaviors. It’s not ONLY the SSA, but other Federal, government and state agencies that offer some sort of social services or benefits, as the SSA’s CDI PROGRAM UNIT covers other agencies also.
Please REMOVE AND CLEAR THE 2020 OVERPAYMENTS FROM THE “PAYMENT CENTER” OF NON RECIPIENTS. IT’S AFFECTING THE NON RECIPIENTS DUE TO TECHNICALLY STILL BEING ENLISTED AND ENROLLED AND IT DOES AFFECT EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY AS THE SSA OVERSEERS AND AFFILIATES BLOCK EMPLOYMENT SINCE THEY ASSUME YOU’RE ALREADY RECEIVING INCOME TO LIVE ON and continue their nefarious malicious activities.
It’s been agreed by the social security administration, congress and courts to remove and eliminate these alleged erroneous 2020 Overpayment Payment Center Cases. Please remove them. Remember that the SSA is a POVERTY PROGRAM and recipients and enlisted Individuals are exactly that.. POOR. No way does it sound reasonable for anyone to pay back any sum of money if they’re not allowed to have a total of 2,000 USD in assets and that includes the amount of food in their possession.
Holly M.
Like the Social Security Administration, the Courts and Congress AGREED to do with the 2020 Overpayment Payment Center Cases,
Please REMOVE AND CLEAR THE 2020 OVERPAYMENTS FROM THE “PAYMENT CENTER” OF NON RECIPIENTS. IT’S AFFECTING THE NON RECIPIENTS DUE TO TECHNICALLY STILL BEING ENLISTED AND ENROLLED AND IT DOES AFFECT EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY AS THE SSA OVERSEERS AND AFFILIATES BLOCK EMPLOYMENT SINCE THEY ASSUME YOU’RE ALREADY RECEIVING INCOME TO LIVE ON. Please start removing the NON RECIPIENTS FIRST please
Karen S.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION is being RANSACKED FROM WITHIN by their very own OIG, CDI PROGRAM UNIT, overseers, contractors and affiliates. They are intentionally causing financial hardships, blocking all types of income so you can’t progress, poisoning people by giving them unknown substance without their knowledge by threatening an paying someone who usually would have access to your nutrition to put these things into your food and beverages. Finding and USING (doppelgangers) people that look like you to report or say that you been places that you never actually been or at that moment. They intentionally block all opportunities for income and also online sources of income so don’t think being an online trader will work. All these while they threaten and pay people “to not say anything” it’s a secret” “they’re not suppose to know” ” don’t tell them” meanwhile they threaten people to make FALSE statements about the individual and force them to believe conspiracies and many FALSE theories of the reasons why this is OCCURING. SSA is a POVERTY PROGRAM is what they claim to keep you unemployed and isolated. The SSA OIG routinely deal in RACKETEERING, CONSPIRACY AND FRAUD. RANSACKING THE ADMINISTRATION FROM WITHIN.
Mel
This is really awful but I believe it. I’m experiencing some awful hate and discrimination from all of the Santa Barbara Government & I believe it’s retaliation bc I spoke up and I’ve documented CA Gov & contractors stalking & harassing me in stores and across several states which is a felony…
Mel
And I was born with several disabilities before the age of 22. EDD & SSA have given me the runaround for several years now asking me to fill out tons of paperwork they don’t seem to have.:. How do you keep losing my private PHI. HIPAA VIOLATION. It’s unprofessional & disrespectful.
S.D.
We’re sorry to hear about your situation, Mel. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We encourage you to contact your local Social Security office or call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day. We hope this helps.
Amy W.
Overpayments are being pursued by Individuals claiming to be with the social security administration and are threatening individuals, companies, employers not to hire or do business with the Individuals the social security administration is pursuing with the alleged secretive debt they’re not suppose to know exists. The social security administration debt collectors tell neighbors, family, acquaintances and anyone their targeted Individual comes across, that they’re intentionally causing poverty because the individual is in a POVERTY PROGRAM which belongs to the SSA. They laugh and smile about the oppression and despair they are causing. They tell people that the Individual has “debt” that they are “not suppose to know about” and the community tells them, then why are y’all after them? If they are not allowed to work or know that a debt exist? And they simply smile and mention all the money they’re making while the government is WASTING money.
Kathy
I just retired as an Eldercaregiver and Advocate, as I am approaching 80. I’ve done this as a way to be in service as a volunteer, after I became disabled @ 50. Several of my patients are long covid survivors who are terribly debilitated, but disability continues to deny them. We are a poor community, and churches are struggling to keep these people housed and fed, because they have nowhere to go. Walk down a line of homeless encampments, and take a straw poll: how many ended up on the streets because of disability denials? Of the 25 people I polled one day in Phoenix, AZ. 17 raised their hands, and I sat and listened to their stories, bone fide each. Their weakness? They didn’t know how to jump through the SSD hopeless hoops. We are now working to find disability attorneys who will represent these folks to SSD, as recent data supports those are the only cases getting approved. How do you explain to children that the family has to go live in a homeless shelter (and most likely be separated) because nobody will help their sick daddy. I just couldn’t take it anymore, those little faces hurt my heart.
Laura B.
Happy Women’s History Month And your continued advocacy And contributions to breaking barriers And giving awareness to Women & children especially in the disability sector.
#blackgirlsrock