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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kathra c.
My brother is now receiving SS retirement. His wife has just died. She was 45. They have twin 7 year olds. How do we get them health insurance through SS?
A.C.
Hi, Kathra. We are sorry to hear about your loss. The twins may be eligible for Medicaid. Your brother will need to call his state medical assistance office for assistance. To get their local phone number, call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). We hope this helps.
Mandi
How can I get a income verification letter for my underage sons income ?
Maria.luisa e.
My husband pass away 5 months ago..im so depressed . I.just want me to.know if.my son 17 yrs old entitled to receive the survivors benefits. My son is not american citizen. My husband cannot register my son as a U.s. citizen bec. Of his illness.
We can only survive if my son received the benefits ..help us . Bless u all
Nancy J.
My ex husband died and We have an 18 year old daughter together who is enrolled full time in college, can she receive social security?
A.C.
Hi, Nancy. Thanks for your question. At one time, Social Security did pay benefits to college students, but the law changed in 1981. Today, if a child is receiving benefits based on a parent’s Social Security earnings record, we pay these benefits to students who are taking courses at grade 12 or below. However, 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. We hope hope this helps.
Amber S.
If I am approved for my ssi benefits for Louisiana state for mental disorders. Will my son of 13 years old also get benefits
Connie L.
My daughter Evah has MODY TYPE 2 DIABETES. She was just diagnosed with scoliosis as well as chronic knee and hip pain that has not yet yielded any diagnosis for the pain she has had since she was about 3 yrs old. Her spine was just fine in 2017 now she has a 20% rotation to her back. The doctors don’t think it will get any worse but out of 3 children she is by far my most sick lest. I am contacting you to see if she is eligible for SS Disability. Not to mention she was deaf at birth and had to under go another surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids so she could breath properly. Thank You Connie Lightner.
A.C.
Hi, Connie. We are sorry to hear about your daughter’s condition. Social Security has a strict definition of disability for children. The child must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities; and the condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 1 year or result in death. To apply for benefits or to find out more information on benefits for disabled children, please visit here. We hope this helps.
Beverly O.
my son Dylan Ray Hicks born 12-31-1992 ss# *** – ** – *** lived in Steele, Missouri died 12-26-2018 at 9:43AM before a baby was born 12-26-2018 at 3:48PM and it was not certain that my son was the father of baby and DNA has not been tested from Dylan or myself or the father of Dylan to determine if he was the father. But i have been told that the Mother (Emily Morgan Dollar) who lives in Paragould or Marmaduke Arkansas is getting a ss check for the baby (Mason Ray Hicks or Dollar could be his last name I’m not sure because the mother will not allow us to see the baby or have any contact with them at all. But she made sure to get a check for the baby. If my son is the father of Mason then he should get the check but that has not been determined yet to my knowledge. So i’d like to know for sure if there is a check being paid to this baby as survivor benefits from my son Dylan Ray Hicks?? and if so Who determined that Dylan is the father?? and how was it determined? Dylan’s father and I want a DNA test done so that we know for sure either way . If our son is the father of Mason we want rights to see him and be a part of his life also. PLEASE contact me and let me know some answers on this matter or at least what to do to get the answers . Thank You for your help BEVERLY ANN BRAMLETT OWEN 2663 state hwy E, Steele, MO 63877 573-479-8647
A.C.
Hi, Beverly. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Tarah K.
What do I need to do for my son his father passed away? The funeral home said they would send a copy of his death certificate to social security. How long does this take?
A.C.
Hi, Tarah. We are sorry to hear about your loss. When person dies, his minor children can qualify for survivors’ benefits as long as they are under age 18 and unmarried. Also, if they are over 18 and disabled before age 22, they may qualify as well. You can find more information on how children can qualify for survivors’ benefits when a parent dies here. You can also visit our Survivors Benefits web page for additional information. To set up an appointment to file for benefits for your child, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps!
Mary G.
Can a child applied for benefits if child lives in Mexico and father pass away
V.V.
Hi, Mary. We are sorry to hear about your loss. The child may be eligible for survivor benefits if the child’s father earned enough Social Security credits through his work. Unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies.
A parent or legal guardian of the child can inquire about potential benefits. If they are outside of the U.S., they can contact their local Federal Benefits Unit.
Deborah B.
I have a cousin that is 19 years old —– his mom passed 4/20/19 and his dad passed 17 years ago – he is finishing high school. are there SS benefits for him? Thanks
V.V.
Hi Deborah, we are very sorry for your loss. Your cousin may be eligible for survivor benefits if his mother earned enough Social Security credits through her work. Unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies.
To inquire about potential benefits, your cousin will have to contact his 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.