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.
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Tags: retirement, Social Security benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Kim t.
I am on ssd. If i get custody of my grandson, can I get ss benefits for him also?
Stela
Hi there
I was wondering my daughter gets social security through her dads. He passed away a month ago. My mom leaves in Brazil and might help me to care for my 10 year old daughter. Now I’m citizen and will receive survivor benefits for my daughter care as well. If I take my daughter to Brazil to be with my mom will social security pay my mom the cost of taking care of my daughter?
R.F.
We are sorry for your loss, Stela. Generally, a widow can start receiving survivors benefits as early as age 60. You can receive survivors benefits (at any age), if you have not remarried and you take care of the deceased worker’s child who is under age 16.
In this situation, your mother does not qualify to receive Social Security benefits for taking care of your daughter.
Remember, if you receive benefits from Social Security, you have a legal obligation to report changes, which could affect your (and your daughter’s) eligibility for benefits. Changes you need to report range from a change of address to traveling outside the United States.
Our publication “Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States” explains how being outside the United States may affect your (your daughter’s) Social Security payments. It also tells you what information you need to report to us, and how to report it.
You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Douglas J.
I have a permanent disability. The disability is Multiple Sclerosis, MS. This pesky disease has caused me to close my business and to discontinue my occupation.
I have a 14 year old dependent and I was curious about any possible benefits he may receive? He is a natural child of me and my wife.
Could you please explain the way I would need to go to inquire about possible benefits? Thank you! Doug
Amy j.
We adopted two children and will be adopting a third in November we are wondering if we died would these children receive any benefits, what if one of us dies and one is left will the other parent receive the social security from the other ones social security. How does that all work I heard we could collect the larger amount but would the adopted children get a benefit too or not?
R.F.
Hello Amy, besides the worker’s natural children, their stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children may receive benefits under certain circumstances. Visit our Benefits Planner: Survivors | If You Are The Survivor for more information.
David
I am a non custodial (target of parental alienation) divorced, disabled, parent of standing. My ex, the child’s mom, had been rep payee, and, now, as of the child’s 18th birthday, is “refusing” to allow for the last 10 months the child remains eligible, being a) still in high school, to my knowledge (the mom hides all info), and b) if, “allowed” to “keep” the check coming, as, “my” dependent, as, I read it, per the criteria SSDI states, for the best interests of the child to be served. Instead, the mom, upon my letting the child and school know, that, FERPA and TEC (tx fam code ch. 26), not withstanding, my child should not lose funds.
As to this, denial of info and funds, are, along with the mom’s apparent “insisting” on “claiming” the child for her selfish “tax dependent” status/scheme to hide all info per the alienation, I’ve been to local SS office out of state where I live, and, they had no interest in trying to redeem the status, or, investigating, a matter that is defrauding my child, of direct, continued/re-instatement, of $10,000 the child is entitled to, as I understand current facts, up through June 2019. The 800# and local office fail me, and child here. Help?!
Sally I.
I need to change the direct deposit for my granddaughter. I was trying to figure out how to post everything online but it says to set up the account you have to be 18. So I am not able to see her info or change the bank info online? Do I have to take off of work again? Please advise.
V.V.
Hi Sally. You can start or update the direct deposit by contacting the bank, credit union, or savings and loan association or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Just as a reminder, you may only change your granddaughter’s information if you are her representative payee.
William S.
When does a child’s benefits stop? At what age do they stop? Does it matter what state one lives in?
V.V.
Thank you for using our blog, William. When a parent gets Social Security retirement benefits or disability benefits, his or her child also may get benefits. Children also can get benefits when a parent dies. The child can be a biological child, adopted child or stepchild. A dependent grandchild also may qualify.
To get benefits, the child must be unmarried and:
• Younger than age 18;
• A full-time student (no higher than grade 12) 18 to 19 years old; or
• Have a disability that started before age 22 and is 18 years or older.
See our factsheet on Benefits for Children for more information.
Judy D.
I’m 72 on SSI as I my Grandson lives with me can I put him on with me. SSI HIS BEEN WITH ME I HAVE POWER OF attorney
V.V.
Judy, thank you for your question. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) gives cash assistance to people with limited income and resources who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled. Children with disabilities can get SSI, too. To find out who qualifies and how to apply, go to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits web page.
Debra K.
My sister passed away on 04/01/2018. My nephew resides in Two Rivers WI and I reside in Milwaukee. How can I help my nephew get benefits? My sister was married and her wife is a felon, her wife is trying to find someone to apply for his benefits but my nephew will never see the money? What can I do? I do not know his SSN? Any suggests on where I can start?
Michelle O.
i need a copy of my daughters benefit letter. how do i go about getting that? The website says I cannot set her up a “my social security” account and she cant because she is not 18. Her name is Megan D. ss# ending in 6445 and mine ends in 1701. If I could get a copy emailed to me or instructions on how to get a copy I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, Michelle O .
Michelle O.
im sorry. I thought i was emailing a question. could you please delete. Im in panic mode trying to find out how to get in deleted. Thank you
R.F.
Hello Michelle. We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and request a benefit verification letter be mailed to you. 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.
Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media and communicating personal information via email. Thanks!