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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Maria
My son was born premature and stood in the NICU for 3 weeks after birth. He was born 5lbs 13 oz but was diagnosed with hydrocephalus that is requiring surgery. I applied for ssi for him since October but haven’t heard back and do I notify social security about the change of now him needing surgery? Would i be eligible to receive social security for myself as well since I have to basically take and can’t work because of it.
Vonda
For your security, Maria, 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 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
DOROTHY M.
I have legal custody of my 3 grandchildren and i am i recieve social security can i apply for ss for them
Brenda S.
MY GRANDDAUGHTER HAS LIVED WITH ME AND HER MOTHER AND GRANDFATHER SINCE 2013. HER FATHER HAS RECENTLY WANTED TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT, WHICH HE IS ON DISABILITY, ALL SHE HAS TO DO IS CALL THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE BUT WONT BELIEVE US. SHE HAS NO INCOME AND WE ARE SUPPORTING HER DAUGHTER. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE HER CALL AND START HELPING
Vonda
Thank you for your question, Brenda. We can withhold Social Security benefits to enforce a beneficiary’s legal obligation to pay child support. However, State laws determine a valid garnishment order. By law, we garnish current and continuing monthly benefits. We do not make retroactive adjustments.
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.
You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jesus L.
Will my kids received SS benefits and how much?. I’m approaching full retirement age (66), my daughter will be 16 year old and my son will be 12 year old. Are each of them eligible? also what about my wife(48), she does not work at this moment (she takes care of kids and home (we are/were very lucky)).
Please advise.
Vonda
Thank you for using our blog, Jesus. 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.
Your wife can also receive spouse’s benefit at any age if she is caring for your child who is also receiving benefits. Your spouse would receive these benefits until your child reaches age 16. At that time, the child’s benefits continue, but your spouse’s benefits stop unless she is old enough to receive benefits based on her age. Check out our Benefits For Your Spouse web page for additional details.
Shelly S.
My daughter died May 2020 leaving behind children. I am raising the youngest. I have been collecting SSDI since 2011. How can I help the child?
Thank you.
Tashayla M.
Hi I’m TaShayla Moore I have 4 children 2 of them have disabilities an my kids father is disable wanted to apply for my other two children as my kids father doesn’t help do anything an the child support is entirely too low it’s only 134 a month for all my children an that’s not enough hell my lights where recently turned off an I struggle getting back an forth to work due to no money for gas asking for just a little help from my kids disabled father.
Vonda V.
Hi Tashayla, thanks for using our blog. If the children’s father is receiving Social Security disability benefits, we can withhold Social Security benefits to enforce a beneficiary’s legal obligation to pay child support. However, State laws determine a valid garnishment order. By law, we garnish current and continuing monthly benefits. We do not make retroactive adjustments. You cannot appeal to Social Security for implementing garnishment orders. If you disagree with the garnishment, contact an attorney or representative where the court issued the order.
Your children, if younger than age 18, may qualify if they have a medical condition or combination of conditions that meets Social Security’s definition of disability for children, and if the children’s income and resources fall within the eligibility limits. Check out the publication Benefits for Children with Disabilities for more details.
If you would like to apply for your children, you can call us call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Benjamin M.
How do I get an income statement for my sons SSI
Vonda V.
Hi Benjamin, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a benefit verification letter for your son, if you are your son’s representative payee. This letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter or a proof of award letter. Visit or Representative Payee Portal web page for more details.
If you are unable to conduct the business online, call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
alisha b.
my kids do not live with me due to my disability .can they draw off of me or their own payments
Vonda V.
Thank you for using our blog, Alisha. 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.
Check out our factsheet on Benefits for Children for more information.
Erin L.
How long after interview for sons ss benefits to start from father’s death
Vonda V.
Hi Erin, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Cameron b.
My 5 year olds bio father killed him self almost a week ago. His mother advised me to call SS to start to receive benefits from my son’s real dad. Anyone know how this works or how they base the amount he will receive? I have a interview/ Appointment this Thursday at 10:30 am . Anyone know what kind things they ask or what all I will need to have when they call besides the basic stuff?