Benefits Planner: Family Benefits 
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 wil

user: Hi there. Went the other day to social security asking for family benefits and they told me to use this chat, can you help me?

assistant: Are you going to start receiving disability benefits?

user: Yeah, i will.

assistant: Congrats. If you are going to start receiving benefits, then some members of your family can qualify for benefits based on your record.

user: Could you tell me which members could be eligible, please?

assistant: Sure. These benefits could be paid to your spouse, divorced spouse or children, regardless their condition.

user: That's great, thanks. Say, what could happen if my spouse is about to receive a pension for work not covered by social security?

assistant: If that scenario appears, i'm afraid her benefit on your record may be affected.

user: Something to think about, huh?. Please, another question. what can you tell me about my children's benefits?

assistant: You said you already qualified for disability benefits, isn't?

user: Yes, that's what i said.

assistant: Good. Then your children may also get a qualification to receive benefits on your record. It can go for your biological, adopted or step child. Even a grandchild could qualify.

user: Oh, that's good to know it. A last question please. I heard that if my spouse gets eligible for benefits on her own,  she could receive a higher amount? Something to do with a mix or something?

assistant: That's correct. You're talking about the combination of your and her's benefits. That's in the event your benefit on record is higher than her's. Is made to equal the higher amount.