Social Security’s Benefits for Children
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 17, 2021
Social Security is with you through life’s journey — from birth, to death, and even beyond, by helping to care for surviving dependents. Every year, about 4.4 million children receive monthly benefits because one or both of their parents are disabled, retired, or deceased. When a parent becomes disabled or dies, Social Security benefits help to stabilize the family’s financial situation in an otherwise turbulent time.
Earlier this year, National Birth Defects Prevention Month in January and National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March both raised awareness about medical conditions in children. Many families with children who have birth defects or developmental disabilities need medical and financial help. This is where Social Security’s commitment to helping children and families is most evident.
Social Security pays benefits through our disability insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Our disability program provides vital income for disabled children, including people disabled since childhood. To qualify for children’s benefits under our disability program, the applicant must be the child of a parent entitled to benefits and meet Social Security’s strict definition of disability. A person is disabled under the Social Security Act if he or she can’t work due to a severe medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least one year or result in death.
The SSI program provides payments to blind or disabled children who live in households with low income and limited resources if they meet our strict definition of disability. You can find more information on eligibility requirements by visiting our website.
Our publication, Benefits for Children explains all we do to care for children. Our website is also an excellent source of information. If you think a child you know is eligible for benefits, don’t wait. Share this information and help improve the child’s quality of life today.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: retirement, Social Security benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
See CommentsAbout the Author
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
sandra H.
If I take custody of my granddaughter will I receive a check for her? I am on social security disability not ssI
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Sandra. Under current law, Social Security can only pay benefits to grandchildren if certain conditions are met. Generally, the biological parents of the child must be deceased or disabled, or the grandchild must be legally adopted by the grandparent. See “Benefits For Grandchildren” for more information.
Cindy P.
Can children of incarcerated parents receive social security benefits? Father had custody,. Mother is in drug rehab and grandparents are raising 11 year old boy
Cathy B.
If a child that is receiving SSA, and they live with their real mom and step-dad… if the mom passes away is the step-dad entitled to receive the SSA benefits on behalf of the children?
R.F.
Hello Cathy. We generally appoint a suitable representative payee who can manage the payments on behalf of a minor child. In most cases, we select an adult-relative living in the same household to be the representative payee. When friends or family are not able to serve as payees, Social Security looks for qualified organizations to be representative payees.
Please read our publication: A Guide For Representative Payees. If you have specific questions, please call 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Thanks!
Mable V.
I am curious as to why it takes so long to get a Federal Court date set for a child. it has been two years since the attorney has been trying to get a Court Date. It has been seven years since the original claim was filed. I am asking for my eight year old great granddaughter who has
been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I have been told that Randall Forbes is the only attorney that handles children
R.F.
Hello Mable. The length of time it takes to get a hearing can vary from state to state. We attempt to resolve all claims promptly, but there may be delays due to the volume of pending appeals in your area. The good news is that we are trying to conduct many of our hearings through video teleconferencing (VTC) to speed up the process.
Visit our “Hearing And Appeals” web page for more information, and continue working with your attorney and local hearing office on specific questions about your case. Thanks!
Christine L.
Hi. I am looking for answers regarding what happens when a divorced, custodial parent of a child recieving SSI becomes disabled? Specifically if the parents disability is so severe that they may no longer be able to take care of the child and may need to turn custody over to other parent.
Hayk S.
It’s good that children will have their benefits even thou they’re still a kid. This is just to ensure that they have a good health and they are properly taken cared of by our medical teams. Thanks for sharing this info!
Deonne
If the deceased parent was a stay at home and did not work, are the children not entitled to social security? This is sad because now the father has to pay for child care and is struggling. This is a situation in my family, can you please send me any info that may be of help to them.
R.F.
Hello Deonne. Credits are the “building blocks” we use to find out whether you have the minimum amount of covered work to qualify for each type of Social Security benefit.
The number of credits needed for family members to be eligible for survivors benefits depends on your age when you die. Under a special rule, we can pay benefits to your children and your spouse who is caring for your children even if your record doesn’t have the number of credits needed. They can get benefits if you have credits for one and one-half year’s work (6 credits) in the three years just before your death.
You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents for specifics in your situation. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time when you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.
Diane S.
How is it proved to social security that the parent who is raising the disabled child does not receive the benefits, rather, the absent parent does?
R.F.
Hello Diane. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Delicia A.
My granddaughter is 18 years old and attending college. Of course, the Social Security Administration is not obliged to notify or outwardly give the information that a dependent can make a claim.When she was born her absent father never mentioned he was getting SSD. Can my granddaughter claim at least some retroactive benefits?
Thank you.
James S.
Hello. I receive Social Security Benefits for retirement. I have just completed an adoption process for three of my grandchildren. I now have there updated birth-certificates. We live in Costa Rica. How do I get Social Security numbers for them?