You'll need to file an process with Social Security, provide medical records showing her condition, and submit proof of her work history or yours

The process for explore for your daughter's Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) depends on her age and work history. If your daughter is an adult who has worked and paid into Social Security, she files her own process. If she is a child or has never worked, you file on her behalf using her Social Security number. Either way, you start at Social Security's website or by visiting your local Social Security office in person.

Social Security will ask for medical evidence that her condition meets their definition of disability — meaning it prevents her from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You will also need to show her work history (if she has one) or yours, since children can receive SSDI based on a parent's work record. The entire process typically takes three to five months, though some cases take longer if Social Security requests more information.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file for your daughter in person at your local Social Security office, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at ssa.gov if she has never worked.
  • Social Security will need her birth certificate, Social Security card, medical records from her doctors, and proof of her (or your) work history.
  • If your daughter is under 18 and has never worked, the process is based on your work record, and she can receive benefits as long as she remains disabled.
  • If your daughter is an adult who has worked, she must have earned enough work credits — typically 40 total, with at least 20 earned in the last 10 years — to be found disabled.
  • Most applications are denied on first submission; you can request reconsideration within 60 days if that happens.

Filing for a Child Who Has Never Worked

If your daughter is under 18 or is an adult who has never worked, you file the process using her Social Security number and your own work record. Social Security will review whether your work history qualifies her for benefits. You do not need to prove she worked; instead, Social Security looks at whether you (or your spouse, if applicable) have paid enough into Social Security over time.

Start by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to request an process, or visit your local office in person. You can also begin the process online at ssa.gov, though you may need to finish it by phone or in person. Have your daughter's birth certificate and Social Security card ready. Social Security will mail you the process forms or walk you through them over the phone.

Once you submit, Social Security will contact you if they need more information. The process usually takes two to three months, but can extend longer if they request additional medical records or clarification about your work history.

Filing for an Adult Daughter Who Has Worked

If your daughter is an adult and has worked and paid into Social Security, she can file her own process or you can file on her behalf if she is unable to do so. She will need to have earned enough work credits to be found disabled. Social Security typically requires 40 work credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before she became disabled.

You can file for her by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security office. Bring her birth certificate, Social Security card, and a list of all jobs she has held in the past 15 years, including the dates she worked and her employers' names. Social Security will verify her work history using their records, so the list does not need to be perfect, but it helps speed up the process.

If your daughter is able to understand the process process, Social Security may ask to speak with her directly to confirm she wants to file. If she cannot communicate, you can explain this to Social Security and provide documentation (such as a letter from her doctor) that she is unable to participate in the interview.

Medical Records and Evidence You Will Need

Social Security's decision rests almost entirely on medical evidence. You will need to gather records from every doctor, hospital, therapist, or specialist who has treated your daughter. This includes records from the past three years if possible, though older records can help establish the history of her condition.

Request these records directly from each provider's medical records department. Most offices charge a small fee (usually $10 to $50) and take one to two weeks to send them. Ask for the complete medical record, not just a summary. Include test results, imaging reports, therapy notes, and any diagnoses or treatment plans.

If your daughter sees a doctor regularly, ask that doctor to write a statement describing her condition, how it limits her ability to work or function, and whether the limitations are expected to last at least 12 months. This letter can be powerful evidence, especially if the doctor explains specifically why she cannot work.

Do not wait for perfect records before filing. You can submit the process with the records you have and send additional records later. Social Security will wait for them, though delays in sending records can slow down the decision.

What Happens After You Submit the process

After you submit, Social Security will send you a notice confirming they received your process. They will then order medical records directly from your daughter's doctors and may order a consultative exam — a one-time appointment with a doctor Social Security pays to evaluate her condition. This exam is free and does not replace her regular doctor's care.

A Social Security examiner will review all the medical evidence and decide whether your daughter's condition meets their definition of disability. They will also verify her work history (or yours) and confirm she meets the age and citizenship requirements. This review typically takes two to three months.

Social Security will mail you a written decision. If they approve the process, they will tell you when benefits start and how much the monthly payment will be. If they deny it, they will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration within 60 days.

What to Do If Your process Is Denied

Most SSDI applications are denied on first submission. This does not mean your daughter is not disabled — it often means Social Security needs more or clearer medical evidence. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request reconsideration.

To request reconsideration, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office and ask to file a Request for Reconsideration. A different examiner will review the case. You can submit new medical records, a new letter from your daughter's doctor, or any other evidence you believe strengthens the case. Many people gather additional records from specialists or request updated statements from their regular doctors before resubmitting.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is a more formal process where you can present evidence and testimony. Many people hire a disability representative or attorney at this stage, though it is not required. Representatives typically charge a fee only if you win, and the fee is capped by Social Security at 25 percent of back pay (the money owed from the date you applied).

Understanding the Benefit Amount and Payment Timeline

The monthly benefit amount depends on your daughter's work history or yours. If she is receiving benefits based on your work record, her payment is typically 50 percent of your full retirement benefit amount. If she is an adult who worked, her payment is based on her own earnings record.

Benefits usually start the month after Social Security approves the process, though there is a five-month waiting period built into SSDI rules. This means if your daughter is approved in June, benefits typically begin in December (five months after June). Social Security will send the first payment by direct deposit or check.

Your daughter can continue receiving SSDI as long as she remains disabled and meets the other requirements. Social Security will periodically review her case to confirm she is still disabled — how often depends on whether they expect her condition to improve. Some cases are reviewed every three years, others every seven years, and some are reviewed only if Social Security receives information suggesting her condition has changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for my daughter if she is still in school?

Yes. If your daughter is disabled and under 19 and still in school full-time, she can receive SSDI based on your work record. School attendance does not disqualify her. Benefits continue until she turns 19 or stops attending school full-time, whichever comes first.

What if my daughter has a job but cannot work full-time?

Social Security allows some work while receiving SSDI through a program called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2024, earning more than $1,550 per month (or $2,590 if blind) is considered substantial work and can affect benefits. However, Social Security offers work incentives that let her earn some money without losing all her benefits. Ask Social Security about the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) or Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) if she is working.

Do I need a lawyer to explore?

No. You can file the process yourself without paying anyone. However, if your process is denied and you request a hearing, many people find it helpful to have a representative who knows disability law. You only pay if you win, and the fee is limited by law.

How long does it take to get a decision?

Initial applications usually take two to five months. If denied and you request reconsideration, add another two to three months. If you request a hearing, the wait can be six months to over a year depending on your local hearing office's backlog.

What if my daughter turns 18 while the process is pending?

The process continues. If she was disabled before age 22, she can still receive SSDI based on your work record even after turning 18. Social Security will send her a notice explaining her rights and responsibilities as an adult beneficiary.