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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Somiya A.
Wow Neha kumari
Jamica
This is all a bunch of Hope’s and dreams are not promised to any one even when we have a disability “WE STILL GET DENIED “
April W.
My daughter has been getting SSI since she was 3 due to the death of her father. Raising a child alone her whole life took and takes my paycheck and her entire check each month for almost 15 yrs. Now there taking it when she graduates we were under the impression she would receive that until age 22 as long as attending college:( what can I do, she really needs that income. #singlefamhome
Brenda J.
I have 2 grandchildren that receive survivor benefits as their mother passed away 3 1/2 years ago. I understand there is no review for a biological parent. Is it truly up to the discretion of the biological parent on how the money is spent? He has a new girlfriend that they had a child with and we highly suspect he is paying for her car, their new child’s daycare and other expenses. She left her job last summer and is now working a part time job which we understand is about to end. They just bought a new house that cost approximately 248,000. He is a highschool graduate that makes $14-$16 dollars an hour, she is the same that will be making $0 in the near future.
A.C.
Hi, Brenda. Unfortunately, your concerns are a bit more complex than we can address in this forum. A representative payee must use the benefits to pay for the beneficiary’s needs and solely for that purpose. If you think a representative payee is misusing your grandchildren’s benefits, you must report it immediately. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. You will receive a letter from Social Security telling you what we found. If we find misuse, Social Security may name a new representative payee for your grandchild. We will then take action to recover the misused money.
For your security, we do not have access to information about your grandchildren’s accounts in this venue. To report misuse of their benefits, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Kelly G.
What are the reasons for SS payments to stop for a minor child receiving death benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Kelly. 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. We hope this helps.
Clara B.
How do you check childrens benefits accounts and can you over draft from it ?
Robert P.
Now my younger brother has been getten survivor benefits from my father’s passing and sent he is,or was under age 18, and attending his high school every day. Now he only gose maybe 2times a week now if where lucky. I believe this issue need to be looked into and the school unfortunately tends the play favorite toward different people. My brother’s name is Christopher Michael LaPalme his social security number is *** – ** – ***, his DOB is 11-7-01 and he is 18 years old.and ever sent he has gotten the funds from u all he has been deep into the weed”pot” seen . Honestly I can care less but him getten $ for some things g he isn’t really doing is out of line … Thank you for ur time in reading to this here EMail.
Respectfully,
Robert Paul LaPalme Jr.
Michele C.
Hi- my daughter was diagnosed with Fragile XE at 18 months of age and Coffin Lowry Syndrome at 5 and also is under neurological care for SUDEP (Sudden unexpected death epilepsy). We just got durable power of attorney for health, financial and all critical life decisions. The attorney representing our daughter said we should have been collecting Social Security Benefits for her since her diagnosis. We were under the assumption that because of our income we couldn’t apply. Our income has dropped significantly, due to her multiple diagnosis /illnesses and our loss of work. We have been told that because she is now 18 that it will be hard for us to apply for benefits because we didn’t in the past. Do you have any suggestions where to start?
L.A.
Hi Michele. Please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. for assistance. You may also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Jason C.
I receive SSDI just recently. And the friend of the court suggest that I apply my minor children to receive a cash benefits but I don’t see anything that informs me how to do it. My children don’t live with me, but I pay support. Please help direct me in the correct direction?
L.A.
Hi Jason. Thanks for your question. If you recently applied for Social Security disability benefits, we should have asked you about your children at the time of the application. However, if the disability benefits are being paid by the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, this program (SSI) does not pay benefits to anyone else but yourself. For your security, we do not have access to your personal information in this forum. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Jamica L.
When I was born I was2 pound my mother was on her fast life style living I had blood tranfusion born said mental retardation at birth do I qualify for some income
L.A.
Hi Jamica. Thanks for your question. Children who are disabled may be able to get benefits. To learn more, please read our publications titled “Benefits for Children With Disabilities” and “Supplemental Security Income (SSI)“To apply online for disability benefits for your child, you can get started at http://ow.ly/vZz530nbldw. You will still need to complete a Supplemental Security Information (SSI) application at your local office. Once you complete the online disability report, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this helps.