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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Donna f.
My son draws from his dad. Son turns 18 this year. But does not graduate from high school until 2020. He will be 19 when graduation. Will he keep check till then?? B
mario p.
I am receiving SS benefits since July 2007 when I turned 62 years and stopped working. My twin boys were born in September 2007 and both my boys and their mother my wife who is not working are receiving beneficiary benefits.
My understanding is that they will continue to receive subject beneficiary benefits until my twin boys turn 18 years old when they graduate from High School
Please clarify this for me. Thank you
Melinda M.
Can my disabled son draw ss benefits from his fathers ss?
Does his father have to draw first?
Can I as a parent of disabled child draw from his benefits without penalty before my fra?
If so does he have to be drawing?
Hazell
If my son turned 18 in August shouldn’t he have received a check in September since Social Security is behind a month?
V.V.
Hi Hazell, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. If a child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, their benefits will continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child turns age 19, whichever is first. See our fact sheet on Benefits for Children for additional information.
To inquire about the student benefit payments, call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 7:00pm or contact your local Social Security office.
Stephen w.
I was wondering if i could receive disability money from when i was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when i 10 and I’m 50 now
Stevie C.
My son has epilepsy and is 17 years old. He receives payments right now because I am on disability. His doctors have said he will not be able to drive because of his epilepsy. What happens to him when he turns 18? He wont be able to be on his own. He will not be able to hold a job. Can he apply for disability when he turns 18? He will no longer be on my disability after 18 right.
R.F.
Thank you for contacting us, Stevie. Normally, benefits for children stop when children reach age 18, unless they are disabled. However, if the child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, Social Security benefits can continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first.
Generally, if your child is a student, we’ll send a notice three months before your child’s 18th birthday, letting you know that benefits will end when your child turns 18. If your child is younger than 19 and still attending a secondary or elementary school, they must notify us. They must complete a statement of attendance certified by a school official.
Also, if you and you son feel that he meets our definition of disability, he should apply for benefits at about three months prior to attaining age 18.
See “Family Benefits” for more information.
COREY B.
Hello,
My nieces father pasted away. What Social Security benefits Is she entitled to ? Is my niece eligible for Medicaid ? Thank you, for all your help.
Susan B.
I am writing to you to respond to the letter you sent to me about children’s benefits for a child under 18 when their father dies. My daughter Ashley Hunter was 17 in 2004 when her father died in 2004. She was approved for benefits and only received one check in September 2004. Because my roommates moved out on me I had to move. At that time I changed my address but heard nothing from you all. She was not 18 until May 10 2005. She never received any more benefits after September 2004. Therefore she is entitled benefits for October 2004 to May 2005. Because she was 17 the checks were written out to me in her behalf. We lived at 554 Mohican Trail Wilmington NC 28409 at the time. I know for certain she did not receive any checks after September 2004 and none were forwarded to me. So all I am asking you to do is check on this. Please show me proof they she received the benefits she was due. I just know for fact she received no checks after September 2004 because I checked the mail box at the beginning of each month and there were no checks. Thank you for doing so. Susan B Hunter My current address is 4855 Langley Road Rocky Mount NC 27803
Tamaline S.
I’m a reprensitive of my daughter’s benefits.I’m needing verification/proof of her monthly SSA benefits
Sherri L.
I Sherri Knoke know what I receive each month for disability! That made my son Devin Michael Knoke eligible! I need to find out what he receives each month??? That information is being withheld from me!!!