General, SSI

Social Security’s Benefits for Children

May 26, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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Comments

  1. Sandra l.

    I do not want to be my daughter’s payee what do I need to do?

    • A.C.

      Thanks for your question, Sandra. Your daughter has the right to receive her own Social Security check unless SSA believes she is not capable of managing or directing the management of her money. If she has a representative payee because of a physical or a mental disability, in order to become her own payee, she must show SSA that she is now mentally and physically able to handle her money herself. She could provide: A doctor’s statement that there has been a change in her condition and that the doctor believes she is able to care for herself; or an official copy of a court order saying that the court believes that she can take care of herself; or other evidence that shows her ability to take care of himself. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for further assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  2. Gracie D.

    My grandson receives cash benefits from our county job and family services department. He will be getting social security death benefits from his fathers death. Will the cash assistance stop?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Gracie. We are sorry to hear about your loss. For your questions about the cash assistance, you will need to contact your county job and family services department. Thanks.

  3. Aubrey

    Ive known a widower receiving survivors benefit who has a minor dependent 10 years ago. The minors benefit stopped because shes 16yrs but still in school. They appealed for. And then they received a letter saying that the benefit will continue but no check was been given. Another appeal was made, and then the social security says that the minor needs a representative payee. So the widower stopped the appeal for her minors benefit. Now that the widower is already retired ang receiving her retirement benefit, and the minor back then is already a 24yrs old, is it possible for her to get the unpaid benefit?? Can anyone here help this out?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Aubrey. Unfortunately, your friend’s problem is a bit more than we can handle in this forum. For their security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We recommend your friend contact us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for assistance. Or they can contact their local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  4. Gerald D.

    I have been told to fill out form PI-1206 but the SS office will not give it to me. After looking up information I found it’s just made up to keep people from getting benefits, just retired after a great career in education, so disappointed to see this especially when I think of people like my dad 91 years old ww11 vet getting the run around.

    • V.V.

      Hi Gerald, thank you for reaching out and we are sorry you didn’t receive the information that you were requesting. Unfortunately, we are unsure about what it is you are asking about. Please visit our website at http://www.ssa.gov or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  5. Christina J.

    On February 7, 2019 I applied for social security for my 13 year old son. His father died in December. How do I check the status?

    • V.V.

      Hi Christina, we are very sorry for your loss. To inquire on the status of your son’s application, you will need to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  6. Warren W.

    I am 74 drawing SS married Jan 9 2019 can we receive SS for my wife and child ?

    • V.V.

      Hi Warren, congratulations on getting married! For your wife to qualify for spouse’s benefits on your record, you must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, if your wife is receiving Social Security benefits on her own record, we pay that amount first. But, if she also qualifies for a higher amount on your record as a spouse, she may be able to get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information.

      In addition, your child may be due benefits on your record. 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.

      To inquire about potential benefits, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or contact your local office.

  7. Douglas W.

    The Family benefit has been fabulous for our HS daughter, now that I am retired with SS. She is graduating in June 2019… HOW can we stop these payments?

  8. Lisa G.

    My children receive benefits due to the loss of their father. They will turn 18 in May but will not graduate from high school until June. Do I need to provide any verification that they are still students after they turn 18?

    • V.V.

      Thank you for your question, Lisa. Social Security will mail your child a form, SSA-1372-BK, 3 months before their 18th birthday. Your child can also download and print the SSA-1372-BK online. For details on how the process works, check out our step by step guide online.

  9. Fredia I.

    my adopted daughter is receiving benifits off my husbans s.s , she is 18 and still in high school but no longer lives with me or her father. do we need to turn her checks in now that she no longer lives here or what do we need to do?

    • V.V.

      Hi Fredia, thank you for using our blog. You can give your daughter her Social Security checks and let her know that she needs to change her address with Social Security. She can create a my Social Security account to change her address online.

      If she is unable to change her address online, she can:
      •Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; or
      •Contact her local Social Security office.

  10. Nancy L.

    My son is and has been disabled all of his life. He has muscular dystrophy. Obviously, I have been claiming him on my taxes forever. He was born in 1977. For some reason the state is asking for an award letter from SS in order for me to get my refund from last year. They have made me jump through hoops for a while and I have been complying. This is their latest request. Please help me. Thanks, Nancy Lucas

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