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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Marvin L.
My wife and I have full guardianship of our 15 year old
grandson as a result of the Father and Mother abandoning him. The Father and Mother are still living, the Mother in Mexico and the Father whose existence is unknown. We have never applied for SSI or SS under the Father’s name or the Mother’s, not knowing whether the Mother has secured enough working years to be eligible. Is there any way we can apply for Soc. Security support for our Grandson?
R.F.
Thank you for your question. Under current law, Social Security can only pay benefits to grandchildren if certain conditions are met. Generally, the biological parents of the child must be deceased or disabled, or the grandchild must be legally adopted by the grandparent. See “Benefits For Grandchildren” for more information.
Tamy N.
I want to collect off my ex husbands social security. we were married for 12 years. I am unmarried. How and what do i have to do, to do this? I was told that i could.
R.F.
If you are divorced, but your marriage lasted 10 years or longer and unmarried, you can receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record if:
•You are age 62 or older;
•Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits; and
•The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
To apply or to make an appointment, call 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
What is the eligibility for Social Security spouse’s benefits and my own retirement benefits?
Caryl R.
My son receives benefits, because his father is disabled. I am the payee, how do I get his check direct deposited into his bank account?
R.F.
Hello Caryl. You can start or update direct deposit by contacting your bank, credit union, or savings and loan association. In some cases, the checking or savings account title must show the beneficiary’s ownership of the funds and show you as the financial agent. Keep in mind that the beneficiary must never have direct access to the account. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Nadia
My kids should have the right too get approved for having too face a monster that damaged them for the rest of there lifes i got denied twice for each kids being sexual assaulted and both have mental issues such as attention deficient disorder suside thoughts and adhd with learning disabilities he takes meds for adhd currwntly in therapy for 1year other kid has sleep disorder and wakes up in nightmares yelling or crying both have speech impairment. Both going too therapy its not right they got dennied i see drugies get ssi and nothings wrong with them they fake it too get approved and my kids have issues that are true facts and i provided tons of paper work i doubt any of these people read thru it pls any help on information how too get approved please msg me mrarojas1988@gmail.com
christian
Im on disability and my son grts only 240 a month under me but can he qualify fir his own checks cause last few yrs hes being treated for a few things like he gets meds for adhd and he also has ashma and has hand and speach issues
R.F.
Hello Christian, your son may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). See our publication: Benefits For Children With Disabilities for more information.
If you need further assistance, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Gayel A.
My grandaughter has lived with me since she was born. I am currently going through the process of adopting her.I signed up to receive social security in July 2017. Once adoption is completed I was told that I could receive benefits for her. My question is will her benefits retroactive back to when I signed up in July 2017?
Gayel A.
My Grandaughter has lived with me since her birth. I am currently going through the legal process of adopting her. I signed up for social security in July 2017. I was told once adoption is completed I could receive benefits for her. My question is will her benefits retroactive back to when I signed up in July 2017?
Patricia H.
I am sick and draw SSI, I have full custody of my granddaughters the dads in prison, Mom don’t work or come to see the girls. I don’t know if they is any other help that I could get to help me make it.. I get 735.00 a month and from what i here I can’t even get the earned income credit because I can’t work..please let me know..
John
It isn’t clear to me whether a child’s benefits are payable in the circumstance of shared custody stemming from a divorce.
R.F.
Hi John, when you qualify for Social Security (retirement or disability) benefits, your children may also qualify to receive benefits on your record regardless of your civil status.
You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 if you have specific questions in your situation. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Please read our publication Benefits for Children for more information. We hope this helps!
John
Thank you. I am grateful.
Karen B.
Do children that receive monthly checks because their father receives disability benefits qualify for Medicare?
mary k.
Can children ( who have Social security numbers) receive Social Security benefits if their father ( – who was living with them in the United States and is undocumented )- dies.?? I work as a social worker at a Trauma Hospital in Walnut Creek.