Help? Why would my child benefits payment be so small?

[minxl]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

I am currently receiving SSDI and have been since 2001. In 2005 or 2006, I became aware that I was eligible for child's benefits for my two dependent children. I don't really recall the steps I went through to apply for it because my memory is poor. I recall speaking with someone on the phone, but I don't remember having to fill out a form although that doesn't necessarily mean that I didn't fill one out. All I really know is that shortly afterward, I began getting an additional amount every month and have been since then.

A few days ago, I came across some information about social security child's benefits online and everything I have read since states that the children of parents on SSDI usually get 50% of the benefit up to a family maximum of between 150% to 180%. I get a monthly benefit of $740 (numbers approximated for privacy) and child benefits of $64 x 2 children for a total of $128. Are there any legitimate reasons that this number is so low in comparison to others? I have been looking at the formulas used to calculate this, but I haven't found anything that would indicate that kind of reduction. If by some chance that the benefit amount is wrong, am I going to need to get a lawyer to have the amount adjusted correctly or is that something I can do on my own?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[cbg]

When you called the Social Security Administration and asked them how the benefit was calculated, what did they say?

 

[minxl]

I have not yet called them. I know this is something I should do, but I wanted to make sure I had the right information first. In the past when I have had questions, I was referred to my local office, and to be honest, the people in my local office were less than helpful.

 

[cbg]

An internet board is not going to be able to give you better answers than the SSA. We would have no way of knowing how your benefit was calculated. They have the exact numbers as well as your application information. We have none of that.

 

[LdiJ]

I have not yet called them. I know this is something I should do, but I wanted to make sure I had the right information first. In the past when I have had questions, I was referred to my local office, and to be honest, the people in my local office were less than helpful.

I can tell you what is going on. Based on the amount that you are receiving, and the children's benefits, I can tell you that you had very few credits available to calculate SSDI, therefore the SSA is supplementing your SSDI, by giving you enough SSI to bring you up to $740.00. The children's benefits are calculated on the SSDI part of your monthly benefit. You are probably receiving about 256.00 a month in SSDI, and the rest is SSI.

 

[minxl]

I can tell you what is going on. Based on the amount that you are receiving, and the children's benefits, I can tell you that you had very few credits available to calculate SSDI, therefore the SSA is supplementing your SSDI, by giving you enough SSI to bring you up to $740.00. The children's benefits are calculated on the SSDI part of your monthly benefit. You are probably receiving about 256.00 a month in SSDI, and the rest is SSI.

Thank you for your answer. I did get some information somewhere else about not having very many credits, which was a useful explanation that your statement confirms.

But wouldn't I know if I were receiving SSI? I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I know it didn't type out well, but I don't know how to phrase it otherwise. I've never applied for SSI, and always thought that I was too close to the income limits for SSI to be worth the trouble.

 

[LdiJ]

Thank you for your answer. I did get some information somewhere else about not having very many credits, which was a useful explanation that your statement confirms.

But wouldn't I know if I were receiving SSI? I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I know it didn't type out well, but I don't know how to phrase it otherwise. I've never applied for SSI, and always thought that I was too close to the income limits for SSI to be worth the trouble.

It would depend on how well you were paying attention when everything first started. You SHOULD know, but the process is complex and its possible to not realize how its all being calculated if you are not familiar with it.

 

[BL]

Why not set up an appointment with your local SSA Office for a review . You can get your answers there .

 

[Onderzoek]

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/dibfamilymax.html

Disability family max is a surprise to some people and I have found it difficult to find a good reference to it. But it generally means significantly less paid to the auxiliaries (children, spouse) for younger workers or those with just barely enough quarters or with extremely low earnings. Sometimes the family max equals the PIA which means zero is paid to the children.

Doubtful you will find a lawyer to take your case, but you could try.

Also, unless you get a Title II Claims Rep to answer the phone, most employees could not explain this computation to you.