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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Andrea
Does anyone know if my child, who gets survivor benefits because her dad passed last year can get married? She is and will be a full time student too, but her fiance is in the military and they just had a baby, so they are considering it and we are weighing all the options. Any help is appreciated!
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Andrea. Generally, benefits for children under age 18 or students ages 18 or 19 will end when they marry.
Shamiyah S.
My Daughter is get social security because my husband Retired Military and she’s 17 years old right now and she about to turn 18 years old on May 24 so will she still get her money On May 8, 2018 or will it stop
Roger O.
I am retiring soon and have a 12 year old son. Does he receive benefits?
Qiana A.
My son turns 18 on May 12th and he’s still in high school and doesn’t graduate until June 2nd. Will I receive a payment in june for May, a payment in may for April and possibly a payment in July for June since he grauduates in June?
R.F.
Hello Qiana. Normally, benefits for children stop -automatically- when children reach age 18, unless they are disabled. However, if the child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, Social Security benefits can continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first.
Certification that he is in school at age 18 is required. Your son will need to complete page 2 of Form SSA-1372-BK, Student’s Statement Regarding School Attendance; have a school official certify on page 3 the information he provides; leave pages 4 and 5, Notice of Cessation of Full-Time School Attendance, with the school official; and return the completed and certified pages 2 and 3 to the local Social Security office as soon as possible.
If you need further assistance, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local office directly.
Patricia L.
I sent my birth certificate in to the SS office at the death of my father and never received it back.My dad was Raymond E Stewart Jr. his ss # is *** – ** – ***
Susan
How do I find out if my ex spouse is getting SS benefits and claiming our child as a dependent and claiming benefits on her?
Nancy
What do I need to do, my daughter lost custody of my grandchildren who were receiving Social security benefits for them. My husband and I have custody of them now. How do we stop payments to my daughter and switch the payments to us.
R.F.
Thank you for contacting us, Nancy. You or your husband need to apply to become the children’s Representative Payee as soon as possible. A face-to-face interview with a Social Security representative is required and you will have to visit your local office. Please bring the custody documents and proper identification.
For more information, read our publication: A Guide For Representative Payees.
If you have specific questions, or to make an appointment, please call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Marion H.
My wife & I are retired and drawing Social Security. We have just adopted our 2 grandsons ages 7 & 13. What brochure explains this, and where can we get further information about applying for their benefits?
R.F.
Social Security will pay benefits to grandchildren when the grandparent retires, if certain conditions are met. Generally, the grandchild must be legally adopted by the grandparent. See “Benefits For Grandchildren” for more information.
To make an appointment with your local office, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 as soon as possible. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. An appointment is not required but it will establish “protective filing” and prevent loss of benefits. Thanks!
Susan K.
How does someone collect their court ordered child support on the parent who is receiving benefits?? The court ordered this to be deducted from the parent’s ssi and ssd benefits but has never been done.
Rebecca W.
Hi me and my boy friend both get ssi i have a speck problem and he has ms l and I have a daughter that is in high school she has a small learn disbilty will she get a sis to cuz we are on sis
R.F.
Hi Rebecca. If you are referring to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, we make a determination on each individual case. Benefits issued through our Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, are based on the needs of the individual and are only paid to the qualifying person. There are no spouse’s, children’s or survivors benefits payable. Only children who are disabled may be eligible for SSI benefits.