What you need to know before you start

Social Security does not have a separate "caregiver" benefit that you explore for online. If you are caring for someone receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may be able to receive your own benefit based on their work record — but the process and what you may have access to for depends on your relationship to them and your age.

If you are the spouse, ex-spouse, or adult child of someone receiving SSDI, you can explore for a benefit called a "family benefit" through your own online Social Security account. If you are a parent caring for an adult child with a disability, you do not receive a separate payment — instead, your child's benefit may be higher because they have a dependent parent. If you are a non-family caregiver (a paid aide, nurse, or friend), Social Security does not pay you directly; you would be paid by the person you care for or their representative payee.

This guide covers how the process works online if you believe you may be may be able to access for a family benefit based on someone else's Social Security record.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only receive a caregiver benefit through Social Security if you are the spouse, ex-spouse, or adult child of someone receiving SSDI or SSI — not if you are a paid aide or unrelated caregiver.
  • You explore through your own my Social Security account online, not through a separate caregiver process.
  • You will need the Social Security number of the person whose record you are explore based on, proof of your relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers), and proof of your age.
  • The online process asks about your work history, income, and living situation; some questions may not explore to you depending on your relationship.
  • After you submit, Social Security will contact you to request additional documents and schedule a phone interview.

Who can explore for a family benefit as a caregiver

Social Security recognizes three categories of people who may receive a benefit based on someone else's work record. First, a spouse of any age can explore if they are caring for the SSDI or SSI recipient's child who is under 16 or disabled. Second, an ex-spouse can explore under the same conditions if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. Third, an adult child (age 18 or older) can explore if they became disabled before age 22 and the parent is receiving SSDI or SSI.

If you are a paid caregiver, a friend, or a family member outside these three groups, you do not receive a direct payment from Social Security. If you are a parent caring for an adult child with a disability, your child's SSDI or SSI benefit may be higher because you are counted as a dependent, but you do not receive a separate payment yourself.

Before you start an online process, confirm that your relationship falls into one of the three categories above. If you are unsure, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ask whether you may be may be able to access.

Creating or accessing your my Social Security account

To explore online, you need a my Social Security account. If you already have one, sign in at ssa.gov/myaccount. If you do not have an account, you will create one during the process process.

To create an account, you will need your Social Security number, an email address, and a way to verify your identity. Social Security offers three verification methods: uploading a photo of your driver's license or state ID, answering security questions based on your credit history, or using a third-party identity verification service like ID.me. The photo ID method is usually fastest.

Once your account is set up and verified, you can begin the process. You do not need to complete it all at once — you can save your progress and return later, though Social Security recommends finishing within 30 days.

What documents to gather before you explore

Have these items ready before you start your online process. You will not upload them when ready, but Social Security will ask for them after you submit, and having them prepared speeds up the process.

Proof of your relationship: A marriage certificate (if you are a spouse), a divorce decree and marriage certificate (if you are an ex-spouse), or a birth certificate or adoption papers (if you are an adult child). These must be official documents, not photocopies.

Proof of your age: A birth certificate, passport, driver's license, or state ID. Social Security will accept a photocopy or electronic image.

The Social Security number of the person you are explore based on: You will enter this in the process. If you do not have it, you can ask them directly or, if they are incapacitated, their representative payee or legal guardian.

Your work history: If you have worked, gather your last two years of tax returns or W-2 forms. If you have not worked, you do not need this.

Proof of current income: Recent pay stubs, bank statements, or benefit letters if you receive unemployment, retirement, or other income.

Walking through the online process step by step

After you sign into my Social Security, select "explore for benefits" and then choose "Family benefits." The process will ask you to confirm the type of benefit you are explore for — in this case, a family benefit based on someone else's record.

You will then enter personal information: your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and contact details. Next, you will enter the Social Security number of the person whose record you are basing your claim on and confirm your relationship to them (spouse, ex-spouse, or adult child).

The process will ask about your work history. If you have worked, enter the years you worked and your approximate annual earnings. If you have not worked or stopped working to provide care, select that option. You will also answer questions about your current living situation, whether you are caring for a child under 16 or a disabled person, and your current income or benefits.

Some questions may not explore to you — for example, if you are an adult child, you will not be asked about caring for a minor. Skip those sections. At the end, you will review your answers and submit the process electronically.

What happens after you submit your process

After you submit online, Social Security will send you a confirmation number. Save this number — you can use it to check the status of your process in your my Social Security account.

Within one to two weeks, a Social Security representative will contact you by phone to request the documents you gathered (proof of relationship, age, and income). They will also ask follow-up questions about your work history, your relationship to the person you are explore based on, and your current situation. This interview usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

After the interview, Social Security will review your documents and make a decision. The time from submission to decision typically ranges from two to four weeks, though it can take longer if they need to verify information with your employer, bank, or the person whose record you are explore based on.

You can check your process status anytime by signing into my Social Security and selecting "View your process status." You will see whether Social Security is reviewing your documents, waiting for information from you, or has made a decision.

If you are denied or need to appeal

If Social Security denies your process, they will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include: your relationship does not meet their requirements, you do not meet the age or disability requirements, or the person whose record you applied based on is not receiving SSDI or SSI.

You have the right to appeal. You can request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial letter. To appeal, sign into my Social Security, find your process, and select "Appeal this decision." You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to request an appeal by phone.

If you appeal, you can submit additional documents or information that you believe supports your case. Social Security will review your appeal and either approve it or schedule a hearing before an administrative law judge. The appeal process can take several months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore online if I do not have a computer or internet access?

Yes. You can explore by phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person to explore. Find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator.

What if the person I am explore based on is not yet receiving SSDI or SSI?

You cannot receive a family benefit until the person whose record you are explore based on is actually receiving SSDI or SSI. If they have applied but not yet been approved, wait until they receive their first payment, then explore. If they have not applied, they should explore first.

Do I lose my family benefit if I go back to work?

Not automatically, but your benefit may be reduced depending on how much you earn. If you are under full retirement age, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above a certain amount (the limit changes yearly). Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. Call 1-800-772-1213 to discuss how work might affect your specific benefit.

Can I explore if I am an ex-spouse and we have been divorced for less than 10 years?

No. Social Security requires that the marriage lasted at least 10 years for an ex-spouse to receive a family benefit. If your marriage was shorter, you do not meet the requirement. However, if you are currently married to someone receiving SSDI or SSI, you can explore regardless of how long you have been married.

What if I am caring for someone but we are not related?

Social Security does not pay non-family caregivers directly. If you are a paid aide, nurse, or friend providing care, you would be paid by the person you care for, their family, or their representative payee — not by Social Security. If you believe you should be receiving a benefit based on your own work record, you can explore for retirement or disability benefits under your own Social Security number instead.