Can i claim an adult as a dependent who has had no income since 2015 and is 37 years old on my tax return when i receive social security disability benefits?

Yes. If he qualifies as a qualifying relative dependent. The rules for a qualifying relative dependent are found below:

Qualifying Relative Dependent:

1. He is either a qualifying relative or lived with you for the entire year

• Relatives who don't have to live with you.    A person related to you in any of the following ways doesn't have to live with you all year as a member of your household to meet this test.

  • Your child, stepchild, foster child, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your grandchild). (A legally adopted child is considered your child.)

  • Your brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, or stepsister.

  • Your father, mother, grandparent, or other direct ancestor, but not foster parent.

  • Your stepfather or stepmother.

  • A son or daughter of your brother or sister.

  • A son or daughter of your half brother or half sister.

  • A brother or sister of your father or mother.

  • Your son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law.