When you start receiving disability benefits , certain members of your family may also qualify for benefits on your record. Benefits may be paid to your : spouse; divorced spouse ; children; disabled child ; and adult child disabled before age 22. If any of your qualified family members apply for benefits , we will ask for their Social Security numbers and their birth certificates. If your spouse is applying for benefits , we may also ask for proof of marriage and dates of prior marriages, if applicable. 

Maximum Family Amount 
Each family member may be eligible for a monthly benefit of up to 50 percent of your disability benefit amount. However , there is a limit to the amount we can pay your family. The total depends on your benefit amount and the number of family members who also qualify on your record. The total varies , but generally the total amount you and your family can receive is between 150 and 180 percent of your disability benefit. If the sum of the benefits payable on your account is greater than the family limit , the benefits to the family members will be reduced proportionately. Your benefit will not be affected. 

Benefits For Your Spouse 
When benefits are payable to your spouse : Age 62 or older , unless he or she collects a higher Social Security benefit based on his or her earnings record. The spouse benefit amount will be permanently reduced by a percentage based on the number of months until his or her full retirement age. At any age if he or she is caring for your child under age 16 or disabled. Your spouse would receive these benefits until the child reaches age 16. At that time, the child's benefits continue , but your spouse's benefits stop unless he or she is old enough to receive retirement benefits age 62 or older or survivor benefits as a widow or widower age 60. 

If Your Spouse Also Worked Under Social Security 
If your spouse is eligible for retirement benefits on his or her own record , we will always pay that amount first. But i

user: My wife is working under Social Security. I was wondering about what that means for my benefits.

assistant: Is your wife eligible for retirement benefits on her own record?

user: Yes, she is.

assistant: In that case we will always pay that amount first, but if your wife's benefit that is payable on your record is a higher amount she will get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount.

user: Ah, now I get how it works. So if she gets a higher benefit, she'll receive an equal amount. Does that sound right?

assistant: Yes, that is correct.

user: Do you have any publications that I can read to inform myself better?

assistant: Yes, we do. We have publications for Disability Benefits, Benefits For Children and What You Need To Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits, for example.

user: Splendid. By the way, are there any requirements my ex-wife has to fulfill to qualify on my record?

assistant: Of course. Your ex-wife must have been married to you for at least 10 years and be at least 62 years old.

user: And what about the benefits for my boys? They are still full-time students.

assistant: In that case the benefits will continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19 , whichever is first .