What is Auxiliary Benefits?
Definition of Auxiliary Benefits
The Social Security Administration may pay auxiliary benefits to certain qualifying family members of claimants who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Auxiliary benefits for children are paid as long as the child is not married, is under 18 years of age or between 18-19 years of age if they are attending a secondary school. If the child is disabled prior to the age of 22 they may continue to receive benefits after they turn 18 years of age. The SSA has established a maximum amount of family benefits which can be paid, despite the number of dependents.
Auxiliary benefits may also be paid to spouses of qualifying SSDI claimants if the spouse is 62 years or older or is caring for a child under 16 years of age or is disabled. Spouses must also have been married to the disabled worker for at least one continuous year before the claimant applied and received SSDI benefits.