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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Elizabeth
I have two sons and their father was just arrested and charged with felonies. He has been incarcerated before and likely will be again for 10-15 years. He does not currently receive ssd. Are my sons entitiled to it? How do I apply if so?
R.F.
Thank you for your question Elizabeth. Generally, children may qualify to receive benefits on their parent’s record, if the parent is receiving retirement or disability (SSDI) benefits. Disabled children whose parents have little income or resources may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits. Read our publication “Benefits for Children With Disabilities” for more information.
Sarah
My husband receives SSDI and my two children receive benefits totaling 50% of his benefit. My older child will be turning 18 soon. When she turns 18, will the benefit amount for the children automatically reallocate so that the total 50% benefit amount is paid to my son who is aged 12, or are we essentially taking a family pay cut now that she has aged out? I can’t seem to find a definitive answer. Thank you.
R.F.
Hi, Sarah. In this case, the youngest child may get an increase of his benefits when the oldest child’s benefits are terminated. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks!
Kelli J.
I have a question, my sons father was injured at work and my son receives money through his father’s social security disability. He did not receive his money this month. I cannot get through to ANYONE at the social security contact numbers provided, I can’t even log Into the representative payee online page. It tells me my information is invalid. Who and how do i contact someone to find out what has happened? Usually the 1-800 has an automated system that gives you an option to leave a call back number. I have been calling all day and it has been a busy signal everytime.
Jess B.
I have a question. A baby, that is now 17 months old was placed in my home by CPS and now I have kinship guardianship. His mother is in jail and his father died last year at age 24 of a heroin overdose. I receive SSD, I’m a disabled single male. I love Michael ! but I could use additional money. He goes through whole milk like a baby cow. I was told by the lawyer last week that I could apply for death benefits from his dad or maybe even supplemental income from my SSD. I’m confused because I didn’t adopt and his father did not pay into SS. Is Michael entitled to any benefits? We both live on 800.00 a month and my food stamps. Everyone said to become his foster parent but CPS did not give me that option. When I mentioned it I was told Michael would be removed from my home. That it was all a different process. Me and this god-sent little angel are very happy with or without SS but it would be very helpful.
A.C.
Hi, Jess. You are correct, to get benefits, a child must have:
• A parent who’s disabled or retired and entitled to Social Security benefits; or
• A parent who died after having worked long enough in a job where they paid Social Security taxes.
Under certain circumstances, we can pay benefits to a stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, or adopted child. Please read our publication, Benefits for Children, for more information. For your security and the security of others, we do not have access to personal information. We ask that members in our Blog community to work with their local office on specific questions about their case. You can also call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this helps!
Bob
The baby should be getting survivor benefits, and you should ask your state about SNAP and so on. WIC will also give you milk and other healthy foods until the baby is 5.
chirel p.
my husband was a disability pensioner since 2006,now his turning 65 years old.We apply our only son which is a 9 years of age as his beneficiary.Do the child receive payback since birth?
A.C.
Hi, Chirel. Generally, we allow retroactivity up to six months for auxiliary’s benefits. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal records via this blog. If you have additional questions, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
Jasmyn K.
What can cause a minor/child to lose their disability ssi?
A.C.
Hi! You may be getting our programs confused. If the child is disabled and receiving SSI benefits, the child’s benefits may continue, based on their medical condition, income and resources. Our Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, is based on the needs of the individual and are only paid to the qualifying person.
However, if you are referring to benefits paid under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, usually the benefits stop when children reach age 18 unless they are disabled. If the child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, benefits will continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first. For more information, please visit our “Disability Planner: Benefits For Your Children” page at We hope this helps.
Katie
If two children are being raised by their grandparents and receive SS due to their father passing, when one turns 18, will the older ones benefits be given to the other child not yet 18? Also, with the younger one working, how much is she able to make without causing changes to her benefits?
R.F.
Hi, Katie. A child under age 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) can receive up to 75 percent of the deceased parent’s primary insured amount. Benefits are subject to a “family maximum”. In this case, the youngest child may get an increase of his/her benefits when the oldest child’s benefits are terminated. In regards to how much survivors may earn while they receive benefits, for 2017, the earnings limit for someone under full retirement age is $16,920. See our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working for more information. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks!
Kay B.
This may be a far reaching question… My father died in a home fire back in the 1950s and my sister and I were 9 and 12 years old. We just found out that our mother never filed for social security benefits for us from my father’s social security …our mother is also deceased .
Is there a way to go back in time and file for those benefits ?
Kay B.
Sorry…my email was typed incorrectly. See below now corrected .
A.C.
Generally, we allow retroactivity up to six months for survivor’s benefits. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal records via this blog. If you have additional questions, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
Kay B.
Thank you . Kay B
Lisa
I have had legal custody of my 2 grandchildren for 7 years, I have been on disability for over 4 and have requested they be put on my disability to no avail, I am now in the process of adopting them but it will be months, I am alone raising them on just my disability. Their mother doesn’t live near us but she is on disability doesn’t that qualify for them to be on mine?
Savannah
I have a question. My parents passed away when I was 6. It’s was a murder suicide, so my moms social security benefits was only given to us when we turn 18. My guardian who is my aunt took the money out with out telling me just befor I turned 18. She’s said she’s sorry but I had a plan for my future with that money. What should I do. She said it was $52,000 that was taken.
R.F.
Hi Savannah! If you suspect misuse of Social Security benefits, report it. We will investigate all allegations of misuse, gather facts and evidence, and make a decision on whether misuse has occurred. Please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Bob
Get a lawyer as well. That’s disgusting as well as illegal.