• When a parent becomes disabled, dependent children may receive SSDI benefits.man in wheelchair image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  The Social Security office pays Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to adults who prove permanent disability. Children of adults who receive SSDI may also receive benefits. According to the Social Security office, nearly 2 million children receive SSDI benefits as a result of their parent's disability.
  
  

Application Requirements

• Before applying for SSDI, gather the necessary paperwork. Paperwork may include most recent W-2 forms, tax forms, birth certificates and social security numbers for dependent children. Apply by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or in person. When applying by phone, documents will still need to be delivered to the local social security office.
  
  

Receiving Benefits

• Benefits will be deposited directly into specified checking or savings accounts on a monthly basis. Benefits will continue until either the child graduates from high school or reaches the age of 19. Children of disabled parents receive one-half of the disabled parents disability payment. If multiple children in the same family receive benefits, a family maximum payment will be determined that will not be exceeded despite the number of dependent children.
  
  

Work Requirements

• According to the Social Security office, parents under the age of 24 may qualify for disability for themselves and their children if they worked about two years total. All other parents who have worked at least 10 years should be able to obtain SSDI benefits for their children when and if they become disabled.