10/28/2026
Disabled Child Benefits – The Program Every Special Needs Parent Needs to Know About but Usually Doesn’t.
Parents and Guardians of special needs children concerned about government benefits such as SSI or Medicaid. In Arkansas the CES Medicaid Waiver program is imperative. And in Tennessee ECF Choices managed by TennCare is equally as important. But, often there is a critically important program that we forget about.
SSI, Medicaid, and Medicaid waiver are blessings for many families. They provide a modest source of income, medical care, as well as care providers. Yet all of these programs are means tested (i.e. they have income and asset caps that parents have to plan for). Fortunately, many of our special needs loved ones can become eligible for Disabled Adult Child (“DAC”) benefits. This is a program that effectively lets a disabled adult child draw social security on a parent’s work record. Once a child has received DAC benefits for 24 months he or she will become eligible for Medicare, as opposed to Medicaid.
To become eligible an adult child must 1) be 18 years of age or older, 2) have become disabled prior to age 22, 3) have a parent that is retired, disabled, or deceased, and 4) be unmarried. A child that is eligible for DAC benefits will receive 50% of a parent’s retirement or disability payment. If a parent has passed then the benefit moves to 75%.
The important point to remember is that DAC benefits and Medicare are not means tested. This means that a child whose parent receives $2,000 a month in social security can be eligible for a $1,000 a month DAC benefit and Medicare (after 24 months) without worrying about “means testing”. For many families this is a tremendous blessing that was not on their radar screen at all.
One important key is to show disability prior to age 22. By far and away the best way to do is become eligible for SSI first. This is extremely important not only for showing the onset of disability but also for preserving Medicaid as needed (more on this later).
So, as families plan for the future, it’s important to remember DAC benefits and to determine how they may play a role in your loved one’s future.
