If your adult child works, they will receive what the Social Security Administration (SSA) calls work credits. At some point, when they have enough credits, they will become eligible for SSDI. The SSDI program provides monthly cash benefits to people with a “medically determined” disability that affects their ability to be employed and who are less than full retirement age. SSDI pays full benefits every month, unlike SSI where monthly income can vary based on earnings. To be eligible the adult must have a disability that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Depending on how much the individual earns, they may be eligible to receive both SSI and SSDI.
While SSDI is not a benefit that youth in transition will receive, it is important to be aware of it for the future. After a waiting period, individuals receiving SSDI are also entitled to Medicare health coverage, an important benefit. Here is more information on SSDI.