What Auxiliary Benefits Are and Who Can Receive Them
Auxiliary benefits are monthly payments the Social Security Administration makes to family members of a worker who receives Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). You do not explore for SSDI yourself to receive these payments — instead, you receive them because someone in your household already receives SSDI and you meet specific family relationships and age or disability requirements.
The worker receiving SSDI is called the "primary beneficiary." Their spouse, ex-spouse, children, and in some cases grandchildren or stepchildren can receive auxiliary benefits based on that worker's SSDI record. Each family member receives a separate monthly payment, though the total amount the family can receive is capped at a percentage of the primary beneficiary's payment amount.
You cannot receive auxiliary benefits on your own. The primary beneficiary's SSDI claim must already be approved, and you must meet Social Security's definition of a family member and meet age or disability requirements. If the primary beneficiary's claim is still pending, you can still contact Social Security to register as a potential auxiliary beneficiary, but payments will not begin until their SSDI is approved.
Key Takeaways
- Auxiliary benefits are paid to family members of an SSDI recipient, not to the worker themselves, and you must be related to the primary beneficiary in a way Social Security recognizes.
- Spouses of any age, divorced spouses age 60 or older, and children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school) are the most common auxiliary beneficiaries.
- You will need to contact Social Security directly — either by phone, in person at a local office, or online through your account — to register as a family member on the primary beneficiary's record.
- Social Security will request documents proving your relationship, age, and citizenship or immigration status before your auxiliary benefits begin.
- Payments typically begin within one to three months of approval, though the exact timeline depends on how quickly you provide required documents.
Who Qualifies as a Family Member for Auxiliary Benefits
Social Security recognizes specific family relationships for auxiliary benefits. A spouse of any age can receive auxiliary benefits if they are married to the primary SSDI beneficiary. A divorced spouse can receive benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, they are age 60 or older, and they have not remarried. If a divorced spouse remarries after age 60, they can still receive benefits on the ex-spouse's record.
Children of the primary beneficiary can receive auxiliary benefits if they are unmarried and under age 19. If a child is still in high school, benefits can continue until they turn 19 or graduate, whichever comes first. Disabled adult children can receive benefits at any age if they became disabled before age 22 and remain disabled. Social Security defines disability the same way it does for SSDI: the condition must prevent substantial work and be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
Grandchildren, stepchildren, and step-grandchildren can also receive auxiliary benefits under specific circumstances — for example, if the primary beneficiary was legally responsible for supporting them before becoming disabled. Social Security evaluates these relationships case by case. Unmarried partners, adult children over 19 who are not disabled, and in-laws do not may have access to for auxiliary benefits.
How to Contact Social Security to Register as a Family Member
You have three main ways to contact Social Security: by phone, in person, or through an online account. The fastest route for most people is to call the Social Security Administration's main number at 1-800-772-1213. When you call, tell the representative that you are a family member of someone receiving SSDI and want to register for auxiliary benefits. Have the primary beneficiary's Social Security number available when you call.
If you prefer to explore in person, you can visit your local Social Security office. Use the office locator on the Social Security website (ssa.gov) to find the office nearest you, or call the main number above to get the address and hours. Walk-in appointments are available, though wait times vary by location. Some offices require you to schedule an appointment in advance, so calling ahead is wise.
If the primary beneficiary has a my Social Security account (a free online account at ssa.gov), you may be able to register as a family member through that account. However, not all family relationships can be registered online — spouses and children under 18 are usually able to register this way, but divorced spouses, disabled adult children, and other relatives may need to call or visit in person.
Documents You Will Need to Provide
Social Security will ask for documents proving three things: your identity, your relationship to the primary beneficiary, and your age or disability status. The exact documents required depend on your relationship and age, but the list below covers the most common requests.
| What Social Security Needs | Documents That Work |
|---|---|
| Proof of identity | Driver's license, passport, state ID card, or birth certificate |
| Proof of relationship (spouse) | Marriage certificate |
| Proof of relationship (divorced spouse) | Marriage certificate and divorce decree |
| Proof of relationship (child) | Birth certificate showing the primary beneficiary as parent |
| Proof of age | Birth certificate, passport, or driver's license |
| Proof of citizenship or legal residency | Birth certificate (if born in the U.S.), passport, green card, or visa |
| Proof of disability (if age 22 or older) | Medical records, doctor's statement, or previous SSDI approval letter |
If you do not have an original document, Social Security may accept a certified copy from the issuing agency. For example, you can request a certified copy of your birth certificate from your state's vital records office. If you are explore as a disabled adult child, you will need recent medical evidence — typically records from the past three months — showing that your condition meets Social Security's disability definition.
Bring all documents with you if you visit in person, or have them ready if you are explore by phone or online. If you do not have a required document at the time you register, Social Security will tell you which ones to send in. You can mail originals or certified copies to your local office, though mailing originals carries a small risk of loss — ask Social Security whether they will accept copies instead.
What Happens After You Register
Once you contact Social Security and provide your information, a representative will create a record linking you to the primary beneficiary's SSDI case. If you provided all required documents at that time, Social Security will review your file and make a decision within one to three weeks. If documents are missing, Social Security will send you a letter listing what they need and giving you a important date — usually 10 days — to send them in.
If Social Security approves your auxiliary benefits, you will receive a notice in the mail explaining your monthly payment amount and when payments will begin. Payments typically start the month after approval, though in some cases they can be backdated to the month you registered if you met all requirements at that time. Your payment will be deposited directly into your bank account or sent by check, depending on how you set up payment.
If Social Security denies your request, the notice will explain why. Common reasons include not meeting the age or relationship requirements, the primary beneficiary's SSDI claim being denied or ended, or missing documents. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to request reconsideration within 60 days of the notice. To request reconsideration, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213.
How Much You Will Receive Each Month
Your monthly auxiliary benefit is calculated as a percentage of the primary beneficiary's SSDI payment amount. A spouse typically receives 50 percent of the primary beneficiary's payment. A child receives 75 percent. A divorced spouse age 60 or older receives 50 percent. A disabled adult child receives 75 percent. These percentages are set by federal law and do not change based on your income or other circumstances.
However, there is a family maximum: the total amount paid to all family members on one SSDI record cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of the primary beneficiary's payment (the exact percentage varies slightly by state). If the family maximum is reached, each family member's payment is reduced proportionally. For example, if the primary beneficiary receives $1,200 per month and the family maximum is 175 percent, the total paid to the entire family is $2,100. If three family members are receiving benefits, that $2,100 is divided among them.
Your payment amount will be shown in the approval notice Social Security sends you. If you have questions about how your amount was calculated, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak with a representative who can explain the family maximum and your specific situation.
What Happens If the Primary Beneficiary's SSDI Ends
Your auxiliary benefits depend entirely on the primary beneficiary's SSDI continuing. If the primary beneficiary returns to work and their SSDI is ended, your auxiliary benefits will also end. If the primary beneficiary's SSDI is ended because they no longer meet the disability definition, your benefits end as well. If the primary beneficiary dies, your auxiliary benefits end, though you may become may be able to access for survivor benefits instead — a different program with different rules.
Social Security will notify you if the primary beneficiary's SSDI ends. You will receive a notice explaining when your auxiliary benefits will stop. If you believe the decision to end the primary beneficiary's SSDI was wrong, you can request that they appeal, and your benefits may continue while the appeal is pending. Contact Social Security to discuss your options if this happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive auxiliary benefits if the primary beneficiary is still waiting for their SSDI to be approved?
No, you cannot receive payments until the primary beneficiary's SSDI is approved. However, you can contact Social Security now to register as a family member and provide your documents. Once the primary beneficiary is approved, your benefits can begin more quickly because your paperwork is already on file.
What if I am a stepchild or grandchild — can I still receive auxiliary benefits?
Stepchildren and grandchildren can receive auxiliary benefits, but only under specific conditions. Generally, the primary beneficiary must have been legally responsible for supporting you before they became disabled. Contact Social Security with details about your relationship and living situation — they will determine whether you meet the requirements for your specific family structure.
Do I have to report my income or work if I receive auxiliary benefits?
Auxiliary benefits are not reduced based on your income or work, unlike some other Social Security programs. However, if you are under full retirement age and earn above a certain amount from work, your benefits may be temporarily withheld. The earnings limit changes each year — contact Social Security for the current limit if you are working.
What if I am married to the primary beneficiary but we are separated — can I still receive auxiliary benefits?
You can receive auxiliary benefits as a spouse only if you are legally married. Separation alone does not end your may be able to access, but divorce does. If you are in the process of divorcing, contact Social Security to discuss how the divorce may affect your benefits.
Can I receive auxiliary benefits on more than one person's SSDI record?
No, you can receive auxiliary benefits on only one SSDI record at a time. If you are may be able to access to receive benefits on more than one person's record (for example, as a child of two different SSDI recipients), Social Security will pay you on whichever record gives you the higher amount.