For a mother, father, or spouse to qualify for benefits for a child in his or her
care after the child attains age 16, we must find the child disabled in accordance
with our program rules. The spouse’s, mother’s, or father’s claim requires a disability
decision for the alleged disabled minor child (DMC) as early as age 16 and up to attainment
of age 18, for the purpose of the mother’s, father’s, or spouse’s entitlement. The
field office may send a DMC claim to the Disability Determination Services DDS when
the child is 15 and one-half years of age.
Generally, we establish onset on the first day a DMC meets the medical requirements
for a finding of disability using the sequential evaluation process applicable to
title II adult claims. For more information on the sequential evaluation process for
DMC claims, see DI 23505.001B.
NOTE: Title XVI childhood case evaluation policy does not apply to DMC cases.